What To Expect In The New School Year If Face-To-Face Classes Still Can’t Resume

• On Tuesday, June 15, 2021 the Department of Education said it will consult with the Department of Health (DOH) and the Inter-Agency Task Force for the Management of Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF) on the possibility of resuming face-to-face classes for the next school year. But the final say will still come from President Rodrigo Duterte.

  Should physical classes remain on hold because of the COVID-19 pandemic, here are some of the distance learning modalities you can expect when you enroll your child for the new school year.

  The different types of distance learning modalities

  The Department of Education adopted one or a combination of the different learning modalities so Filipino students can continue learning depending on the restrictions in their communities. This is also a big consideration for the health and safety of both the learners and teachers.

  One of these modalities is the distance learning delivery modality (DLDM).  This refers to a learning delivery method in which the teacher and the students are geographically remote from each other during instruction. This means there is no need for them to be in a classroom and in a school to attend classes.

  Distance learning modality can be conducted in three ways — Modular Distance Learning (MDL), Online Distance Learning (ODL), and through TV/Radio-Based Instruction.

  Modular distance learning

  Modular distance learning uses self-learning modules and other learning resources like learner’s materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study guides and other study materials. These materials can either be in print or digital/electronic format.

  The printed or digital modules are provided by the school and are delivered to the student’s home or picked up at. designated places with coordinated schedules. The digital module, also called e-modules, are saved in flash drives or in a CD or can be downloaded in electronic copies. The contents of the materials can be accessed using laptops, computers, tablets, or smart phones.

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  Parents or any member of the family can use the provided learning guides to help, supervise their child, and serve as para-teachers.

  It is still the teacher that takes the responsibility to monitor the progress and performance of the all students in the class. They may conduct home visits if possible. The students may coordinate with the teacher via e-mail, text message or instant messaging for assistance.  

  The modular distance learning is fit for learners located in coastal areas, far-flung provinces, and communities who do not have access to electricity, internet connectivity or a stable connection. This is also an option for parents who do not want their kids to have long screen time.

  Online distance learning

  Online distance learning makes use of learning resources in the internet. Examples of such resources are the DepEd Commons which are uploaded in the DepEd Learning Portal and other DepEd-authorized learning management systems or related platforms like Microsoft Teams, or Google Classroom.

  In this type of learning, the teacher acts as facilitator, engaging the students’ active participation through the internet while they are geographically remote from each other during instruction.

  Online learning allows synchronous or asynchronous instructions. Synchronous instruction means that the lessons are done live, with all students available and connected at the same time.

  In asynchronous, which is self-directed and self-paced, it does not require all the learners to be virtually present at the same time and makes use of message boards and discussion groups instead. The internet is used for learner to teacher and peer to peer communication. The students may download the materials from the internet, complete and submit assignments, or attend virtual classes.

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  The online distance learning is fit for learners who have access to a laptop or tablet, with a reliable internet speed and connectivity, and have a conducive place away from distractions and noise.

  The radio/TV-based instruction

  The radio/TV-based instruction learning modality uses the television, radio, or both in providing the subject lessons. For TV, the teacher prepares the lessons and script for TV broadcasting, while in the case of radio-based instruction, the teacher organizes the lesson and script for radio broadcasting, then does live broadcast or pre-records the lesson scripts. 

  The students at home then listens to the broadcasted lessons. The parents monitors their children’s work and provides feedbacks to the teacher through calls or home visits. When students need to submit required accomplished tasks, it may be done through the barangay or community learning center, or any available delivery support.

  Television/radio-based instructions wherein lessons are heard on the radio or watched on television is an effective learning delivery alternative for students who do not have access to computer or tablets, and the Internet.

  With this modality of learning, parents should prepare a space for learning at home with minimal to no distractions, and their kids for the school year. Parents should encourage the children to raise questions about learning and school-related issues. It is also important for parents to reach out to the child’s teacher so if any of the issues come up – the child not able to attend a class for some reason, if the child is unable to complete the work – the teacher can provide assistance.

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