Modular Distance Learning: Its Advantages and Disadvantages

The coronavirus disease 2019 or COVID-19 pandemic caused many changes in K-12 education like learning remotely from home and answering all the modules sent by the teachers. Education is a treasured goal as clearly enunciated in our constitution and amidst this pandemic, learning should continue at any means possible.

Most of the public schools in the country opted for Modular Distance Learning (MDL) which uses SelfLearning Modules (SLM) based on the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCS) provided by the Department of Education. These modules are especially designed so that the pupils can learn and answer independently and even modified according to the needs of the regions or divisions.

Helpline.com discusses the top five advantages of this kind of distance learning: (1) learning continues depending on the students’ willingness to accept change; (2) parents realize their role as it is very important in education; (3) students learn to value their time; (4) modular learning teach the students values, not specific lessons which is repetitive; and (5) teachers amidst the busy schedule find their way to challenge.

Helpline.com also reiterates the disadvantages of MDL: (1) not all students do their modules wholeheartedly; (2) some parents spoil their children and do the deed instead of their children; (3) some students tend to copy their answers from others without reading the module; (4) many students said they actually never learn from the modules; (5) modules are for formality cause and not internalized by the students.

As a public school teacher, the advantages of MDL include: (1) pupils can choose their most convenient time and place to answer; (2) it is self-pacing meaning pupils can answer only what they want for the day and may continue the next day; (3) it provides flexibility for teachers; and (4) it increases the adaptability and challenge the ability of the pupils to learn on their own.

On the other hand, the disadvantages are: (1) it adds to the burden and extra work for parents (not every parent has the kind of job where they can sit with their child all day and teach them. Some has to go to work or have to tend to their own tasks during the day); (2) it also requires greater self-discipline and self-motivation for pupils; (3) it increases the preparation time for teachers; and (4) it is harder to track the progress of the pupils for the answers they submit may not be done solely by the pupils.

In MDL, it is more challenging for parents especially those who barely understand the lessons of their children. This is the new normal and no matter how hard it may be, let us help one another so that the education of our children will not stop. As what Dr. Benneth Joy G. Roldan, the school head of Efigenio-Enrica Lizares Memorial School, always says: “it all depends whose hands it is in.” May it be in the hands of the teachers in school or in the hands of the parents at home, learning must be continued. After all, I agree with Sir Nelson Mandela who once said that “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.”