This pandemic brought everyone to a challenging phase of our lives.

With the
rising number of cases and morbidities every day, and with the government still lacking
in the pandemic response, we cannot see the light anytime soon. The way we learn also
changed. The traditional face-to-face classroom set-up shifted and changed into an
online and modular set up and since some schools were given permission by the IATF
to hold limited face-to-face classes, the medical and health allied courses is on the
blended mode of learning especially in their laboratory subjects. The University of the
Philippines System applies the online and modular learning to its students. The students
are given options through early assessment before the semester begins to know which
mode of learning will the student be a compliant of. (Llaneta, 2020). Students who
chose to be an “offline” student will be given modules for their respective
courses/subjects through a courier while those who are “online” students will attend
synchronous sessions through different platforms like zoom, google meet or to
whichever the professor will choose.

Despite all of these, only a few thinks of the professors and instructors. The
public sympathizes with the students for bearing the online set up. But what about the
professors? Aren’t they also adjusting to the new normal? Professors and Teachers
labeled the first phase as a “different preparation”. Unlike the usual semester
preparations, they are forced to plan out everything beforehand for the sake of the
offline students. (Llaneta, 2020). Aside from these, economic and social factors were
also considered by the professors since some cannot afford to have their own internet
connection in their houses because their salaries are also affected. “The diversity of the
learners in terms of academic performance and ability is now appended with their
diverse socio-economic status and ability to sustain education amid the pandemic.” said
a professor. The challenging conduction of classes also affected their way of teaching.
Only a few attends the synchronous sessions in which they are dismayed and
disappointed. Internet connectivity issue is also a great challenge for them. The
Philippines has one of the slowest internet speed which only accounts to 5.5 MBps
which can affect the modality issues of the professors, too. (Barreiro, 2020). Lastly,
perhaps the biggest challenge the professors are facing, is the evaluation of the
students’ learning or the grading system. The UP System implemented a “no fail policy”
in which the professors and instructors cannot give a failing grade. (Bernardo, 2020). It
will be in favor of the students. However, some teachers are not pleased with this since
they are unsure whether the student had learned anything in this online mode of
learning.

With this, we can conclude that we are all affected of the online mode of learning.
The professors are also adjusting and struggling. To somehow aid the struggles of the
teachers, the university reduced the number of working hours and academic loads and
classes to professors to also focus on their physical and mental health. The academic
ease called by the Office of the Student Regent also applied to them. Less workloads
for them and the students were granted by the Office of the Academic Affairs. In
upholding the university’s honor and excellence, professors’ wellness must also be
taken care of. They are the ones who hone students to be a better person of the nation.
References

Barriero, V. (2020). PH has the slowest average internet speed in asia pacific. Retrieved from
PH has slowest average internet speed in Asia Pacific – report (rappler.com)

Bernardo, J. (2020). UP implements ‘no fail policy’. Retrieved from UP implements 'no fail policy'
for current semester amid remote learning woes | ABS-CBN News

Llaneta, C. (2020). Plans, Possibilities and Progress: UP academics moving into the “next
normal”. Retrieved from Plans, Possibilities and Progress: UP academics moving into
the “next normal” – University of the Philippines System Website

Mayol, P. (2020). The paradigm shift for Teachers’ challenges. Retrieved from The Paradigm Shift
for Teachers' Challenges in the New Normal - CebuFinest