Shane G.

Francisco

STEM-1107

Ma’am Rosalia Gaddi

EAPP ESSAY

Distance Learning in New Normal Education in the Philippines

More than 1.5 billion students and young learners globally are affected by school and university
closures due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (Covid-19) pandemic. Schools have remained
closed for weeks, and no one knows for certain when we will come out of the lockdowns, as the
pandemic shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon. In the Philippines, the Covid-19 crisis
has affected about 27 million learners, 1 million teachers and non-teaching staff, as well as the
families of learners. The Department of Education (DepEd) recently announced that classes for
the next school year would begin on Aug. 24, 2020. Classes may start earlier, but there will be
no physical return to school. DepEd is offering schools a menu of alternative learning methods
that includes online learning and offline methods, such as take-home readings and activities.

The disruption caused by Covid-19 has forced the adoption of online learning in schools.
Teacher training is a major consideration that would require schools to readjust their budget
allocation to respond to this emerging need. Online teaching involves a lot of preparation, and
teachers now find themselves having to use tools they are not familiar with. For sure, there will
be adjustments. Over the past decade, online education has emerged as an innovative teaching
and learning method. Learners of all ages use this method, from working adults who want to
continue their studies while on the job to parents enrolling their kids to help them learn new
things. The same is true for those who cannot continue their studies due to medical conditions
or disabilities. Today, such learners can continue their education with a range of distance
learning options.

In a world where disasters and disruptions are increasingly becoming the norm, it is imperative
for schools and universities to train teachers on how to teach online and to encourage them to
devote their time to teaching online at least as a drill mechanism to prepare for unexpected
events. It is not just about the pandemic we are experiencing right now. Other events, such as
earthquakes, floods and other calamities will compel teachers and students to stay home to
teach or study online. We will see more classes being conducted through web video
conferencing. Some schools and universities will use a learning management system, such as
Google Classroom to enable students to complete assignments, deliver presentations, take
assessments, and receive immediate feedback from their teachers online. With the Covid-19
crisis forcing schools into online instruction, we will see a rise in the adoption of open
educational resources as an inexpensive alternative to traditional textbook. Some schools will
also start combining blended learning with a flipped classroom approach. In a flipped classroom,
the typical classroom lecture and homework elements are reversed. At home, the students
watch short video lectures and other asynchronous content, while activities traditionally
assigned as homework are now done in-class with the teacher answering student questions and
helping them apply course concepts during class time. The biggest challenge for schools
transitioning to online learning is the widening inequality of access to and usage of information
and communications technology. Many Filipino households cannot afford a stable internet
connection. Even those with access to the internet experience some infrastructural gaps,
including the discrepancy in internet speeds in different regions. We will also see a mix of live
broadcasts, pre-recorded content, and educational programs on broadcast media.

Online education will be a priority not only as a potential source of revenue, but also
acknowledged as core to every school’s strategic plan for institutional resilience and academic
continuity. For school leaders to manage efficiently the transition to online and blended learning
environments, most schools will invest in learning design by hiring instructional designers and
educational technology consultants. Other schools lacking in finances will find it more viable to
outsource some of its educational resources, capabilities, and processes. Some schools will
depend on online learning providers to run their online programs. Despite technological
advancements, the difficulties and limitations posed by technology are challenges that every
teacher faces when using technology inside the classroom. However, this should not prevent or
discourage teachers from using tech. Every teacher must try. Otherwise, teachers will lose their
relevance in this digital age.