Transition to Online Education in DepEd Schools During a Pandemic

The author is Teacher III at San Manuel High School Lilibeth Hipolito Dela Torre

School closures have resulted from lockdown and social distancing measures imposed in response to the COVID-19 outbreak. A fundamental change is occurring in the way educators provide excellent education—via different online platforms. Despite the difficulties that educators and learners face, online learning, remote learning, and continuing education have emerged as a cure for this unprecedented and dangerous disease. Transitioning from conventional face-to-face learning to online learning may be a completely different experience for both learners and educators, one they must adjust to with few or no other options. The school system and instructors have embraced "Education in an Emergency" through different online platforms and are being forced to adopt a system for which they are unprepared. During the pandemic, e-learning technologies played a critical role in assisting schools in facilitating student learning during the closure of schools. While adjusting to the new changes, staff and student preparedness must be assessed and supported as needed. Learners with a fixed mentality struggle to adapt and modify, while learners with a growth mindset adapt rapidly to a new learning environment. There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all approach to online learning. There are many topics with different requirements. Different topics and age groups need different methods of online learning. Online learning also gives physically challenged students’ greater flexibility to engage in learning in a virtual environment that requires less mobility. Students, parents, and educators have felt the unanticipated rippling impact of the COVID-19 outbreak as schools have been shuttered to deal with the worldwide pandemic. While governments, frontline workers, and health authorities fight tirelessly to contain the spread, education systems strive to continue providing high-quality education to all students during these hard times. Many students have experienced psychological and emotional discomfort in their home/living environment and have been unable to participate effectively. The optimal methods for online homeschooling should be continuously explored.