Palawan State University

San Rafael Campus, Puerto Princesa City

On-Line Education Observations and Comments

Observations

1. The google meet is a wonderful tool to have connectivity with the students. The
classes I handled from Tuesday to Thursday were held on time with the students joining
on scheduled time.
2. The internet was good in my home at 30 mbps speed and I had good connections
with my students and checked their attendance as they appear in the screen together
with their names.
3. The group chat created by the assigned student for each class as a tool for
connectivity was effective in giving instructions and sharing the lessons discussed.
4. Working at home is a new experience dealing and educating the students
through the on-line method and therefore there are a lot of adjustments to be done
particularly that the number of students exceed the required 40 or less. Interactions
between the teacher and the students are limited since opening the microphone
produces noise. Face to face teaching and learning is a much better option. Joining and
leaving also interrupts the discussions because you see them appearing in the screen.
5. Power point presentation or even microsoft is a must in an on-line education.
The white board lecture to give emphasis has no use in an on-line education.

Comments

1. The internet as a new tool for classroom instruction is still very wanting in terms
of effective instructions. First of all, the internet was used only for research and
business connections.
2. The internet in Palawan and Puerto Princesa City is still in the process of
improving its services and very costly. I observed that my students suddenly disappear
and then reappear again because they have to reload with their data. Data are very
expensive for students and teachers alike that is why on-line education will be a big
burden to the family’s finances. On my part, I have to buy 30 mbps of internet service
from PLDT with fiber optics to ensure connectivity at 1900 pesos a month and likely to
upgrade it to 50 mbps at more than 3000 pesos a month.
3. Power outage is also a big problem in Puerto Princesa and Palawan. Last
Tuesday, September 1, 2020, there was a power outage for several hours that cut the
internet connection. Power in Puerto Princesa City is unpredictable. When it happen,
my PLDT fiber optics however strong is useless. The PLDT LTE is also useless without
electricity.

Dr. Armando S. Rodriguez

Professor, Social Sciences