The conduct of the first virtual Parents Assembly on Pre-School Opening Activities (PSOA) in the Schools Division of Parañaque City last July 28, 2020 cleared the misconception of parents that blended or distance learning in education will just focus on technology tools or online learning needs. The said activity aimed to orient the parents on the procedure of the distribution and retrieval of the learning packages without disregarding the health and safety protocols prescribed by AITF, DOH and DepEd.
Prior to the conduct of PSOA, a lot of questions linger on the mind of the parents like: Can we step back for a minute and think approximately those who will be marginalized and underserved within the new normal? Can we wake ourselves up to the reality that not all families can afford to acquire gadgets at home?
After the PSOA, the parents heaved a sigh of relief when they learned that the division will be adapting the modular learning system as default mode for new normal system in education to ensure that all learners, whether with or without access to the Internet, should continue to learn even if they are at home. The video presentations shared how learning packages are prepared and how will they be given to parents so that their children can continue learning even when they do not have connection to the Internet. The speakers comprehensively discussed that integration of Self-Learning Modules (SLMs) with the alternative learning delivery modalities (modular, television-based, radio-based instruction, blended/distance learning) will help DepEd ensure that we can cope up with the demands of the new normal system for this school year 2020-2021. With these varying approaches to deliver learning, we could say that the division is keeping the doors of learning open by ensuring that all learning packages and the other alternative learning delivery modalities are in place to provide quality learning opportunities to all.
But of course, the realization of the distribution, utilization, retrieval, and replenishment of self-learning modules cannot be done overnight. The school community and external partnerships should build a strong partnership.
Teachers continue to work from home to develop learning modules, harvest online resources, learn digital skills, and modify or re-design assessments that are valid for the rapid shift in education. It is also the teacher’s task to provide reasonable feedback, monitor and help the students realize that the assigned task is valuable. Once the work is marked conscientiously by the teacher, and is given relevant feedback, the learners will find meaning with what they do because they know that their effort is not wasted.
Parents on the other hand, will not be spared in this new normal system as they become teachers overnight and had to understand the modules or online learning activities that teachers have created for their children.
Stronger home and school partnership facilitates better and more consistent communication and collaboration between teachers and parents. This idea on partnership can still be further expanded to include the local community, especially the local government units because a sustainable and supportive partnership with internal and external stakeholders can help in enabling an effective and responsive learning continuity plan.
Education is not the work of teachers alone. Collaboration, cohesion, and teamwork play significant roles in sustaining learning amid COVID-19 pandemic. Teachers, learners, parents, school leaders, and external partners need to work together to address the many challenging issues of blended/distance learning. In the end, collaboration, cohesion, and teamwork make these challenges not necessarily easier but more bearable.
By: Maricrys G. Ojano, Teacher II, San Antonio NHS