BLENDED LEARNING AT THE BOUNDARY: DESIGNING A NEW WORK IMMERSION PROGRAM FOR SENIOR HIGH SCHOOLSTUDENTS

Joseph G. dela Cruz

Department of Education’s Student Immersion Program, as a key feature of the Senior High School Curriculum, is a work-related professional learning opportunity that will allow students to gain important knowledge, skills and attitude in the chosen field. It aims to provide an opportunity to the student to develop themselves in the workplace in a supervised setting, while also allowing the employer to evaluate their performance and management potential for future possible employment. The implementation of Work Immersion (WI) had severely affected during this COVID-19 crisis scenario. As it is expected to provide Senior High School learners with opportunities to become familiar with the workplace, simulate employment, and to apply their competence in the actual work environment during the pandemic and for the possible future disruptions in education. This work-based learning is a requirement for students to be able to showcase their abilities and acquire valid experience at work.

As Senior High School learners heavily affected by school closures as learning has been done remotely, through modules, internet, television or radio, for example. And to decrease the onsite presence of personal and to maintain social distancing, some health organizations have replaced their onsite internships with virtual and online internship activities. Remote internship activities include virtual conferences, meeting and webinars facilitated by teachers and other institution partnership. These are the new designed of work immersion program of providing students learning experience at home and encourage them to reflect and realize the value of equipping concrete knowledge and application.

Today, that we are now in the transition stage of blended learning to face to face, we can say that teachers as well as learners did a great job as pursuant to the DMCI2020-00085, Guidelines for Work Immersion Implementation During Crisis Situations, dated June 2, 2020, it is highly suggested to prioritize TVL track learners to undergo Work Immersion. Four schemes are suggested on how WI shall be implemented: In-School, Home-Based, Community-Based, and School and Industry Tie-Up. W hile the suggested activities for Electronics and Computer Systems Servicing in the said Memorandum are purely provided under the In-School scheme.

School Internships are highly important and gaining industry experience has significant benefits especially for senior high school students who will be entering curriculum exit and entering into the workforce according to their desired career path, an internship can encourage professional growth. In implementing work immersion midst pandemic, it can present you with new skills and opportunities that you would not receive otherwise. Interns not only gain technical knowledge within the industry of their choice, but they also learn how to interact with professionals in a workplace setting, and develop essential soft skills like time management, organization, adaptability, problem-solving and teamwork.

The author is Teacher

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III at San Vicente-San Francisco High School, Macabebe Pampanga