Challenges to New Normal Teaching Modalities
By ARLYN JANE CORDOVA PAYAO
Teacher III
Butuan Central Elementary School
When the whole world of mankind was plagued by contagious disease in which everyone was affected especially the livelihood, economy and many other things everything changed even the way people live. The COVID-19 virus has infected and killed many people. It worries humanity how to survive the disease that can infect anyone and what concerns there is no definite cure for it.
In the country, the Department of Education is thinking of new teaching modalities that somehow do not stop learners in their studies. That somehow even in this time of pandemic that the whole world is facing the education of young people will still continue.
The Department of Education (DepEd) is addressing the challenges in basic education for the 2020-2021 school year through the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) under DepEd Order No. 012, s. 2020. The BE-LCP complies with the mandate of Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution for the state to protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and to take appropriate measures to have of access to each other such as education. Under Section 6, Chapter 1 of Republic Act No. 9155, or the Governance of Basic Education Act of 2001, DepEd is endowed with the authority, responsibility, and accountability to ensure access to, promote equality to, and improve the quality of basic education. This is done to ensure the safety and protect the health of learners, teachers, and staff during COVID-19 during this pandemic.
In this regard, there are teaching modalities as an option to continue learning while still under pandemic. These are the options for learners for their learning modalities are online, modular and blended classes.
The online class, it is conducted by using modern technologies to conduct the class. Usually by using a laptop or cellphone through various apps that can be used to perform the virtual class.
The modular class is conducted by providing learners with a variety of activities to do at home. This way their parents or guardians will take the activity sheets and be given enough time to perform the performance tasks provided by the teacher and kept in the time allotted for them.
Blended learning is the combination of modular, online classes and television / radio-based instruction conducted for learners. This is to ensure social distance and reduce the number of people outside the house at any given time.
The DepEd confronted different challenges upon the application of the different new distance learning modalities. In this regard, in implementing different learning delivery modalities, the challenge will be faced by learners under any of the modes of distance learning or blended learning that do not have ability to learn independently, or who are not periodically supported by their parents or guardians. Also, DepEd will need substantial and additional financial resources to meet the objectives of the BE-LCP. It requires the support of the respective local government units, social welfare organizations, and other stakeholders. And then, it may affect the holistic development of learners. With BE-LCP, learners will have limited opportunities for interaction with their teachers and classmates. Thus, their learning outcomes may be affected, and there may be negative effects on learners who cannot easily cope with change.
In fact, the learning environment amid the COVID-19 pandemic was diverse. However, DepEd hopes that despite the diverse socio-economic situations of families that affect the provision of home-schooling support. And the unique need of different education, the BE-LCP may be key to providing high-quality basic education that is accessible and responsive to the new normal. ###
