LEARNING DELIVERY OPTION: NEW NORMAL TEACHING

LEARNING DELIVERY OPTION: NEW NORMAL TEACHING

The flagship program of the Department of Education in the height of COVID 19 is her Learning Continuity Plan (LCP). This is into the  single outlook of Sec. Leonor Briones, “Education must Continue.” Pushing  forward this transitional agenda is not easy for what we have now is one of a kind in a century. A working plan must be carefully prepared responsive to the variant needs across future situation adjustment. Hence, the possibility of conducting classes like the way teachers were is risky, delivery options are sought in response to the new needs of the new normal teaching.

There are five learning delivery options available for the school heads to choose from upon the recommendation of their teaching force. These are the following: blended learning, distance learning, homeschooling, apprenticeship and face-to- face.

Blended learning is a hybrid approach emerging from the traditional classroom teaching (Face-to-face), modular independent learning approach and the online teaching approach. 

The key implementation features of this learning program are: limit the face-to-face learning delivery, afford social distancing, and significantly reduce the volume of people outside the home at a given time.

Distance learning is a learning program appropriate for independent learners. This could be best achieved under the supervision of their parents or guardians in an educational platform.

The key implementing features of this learning program are: learning delivery is online through an educational platform, learning delivery through educational program on TV and radio, and delivery using the prepared modules.

Homeschooling  is a learning delivery program which provides learners with equal access to quality basic education at home to be facilitated by qualified parents, guardians, tutors who have undergone relevant training.

The key implementing features are: First, families can educate according to their personal faith, philosophy, and values.  Second, learning schedules may be  adjusted to fit family schedules and circumstances.

Apprenticeship is a learning program which provides Senior High School learners the  opportunities to actually immerse themselves  in the  workplace situations under the supervision of a certified practitioner.

The key implementing features are: Appropriate only to Senior High School students with their TVL specialization who could learn through work engagement. Senior High School learners that are ready for onsite learning under the supervision of the onsite and  teacher supervisor.

Face-to-face learning is the traditional learning  approach and environment that requires students and the teachers to be  both physically present in the classroom.

The key implementing features are: Opportunities for active engagement and participation, Immediate feedback, Socio-emotional development of learners.

The appropriateness of a learning delivery of a school would be dependent on the following: a) the profile of the learners as to their learning readiness (dependent or independent  learner) b) availability of  technology, c) availability of the required tools and equipment, d) availability of the printed modules, and e) the readiness of the teachers to manage these learning delivery options.

Responding in the new normal situation is not really easy. No one could claim preparedness. We are all caught by surprise. To hit a better adjustment for us to go onward is a challenge. This is not only a challenge to the authorities but to all of us. We need to endure and bravely sustain the birth pain of this new process until the whole system and structure will be in place.