Project Title: Learning Modalities in the Pandemic Crisis

I.  CHALLENGE AND SELECTION

The Department of Education finally issued memorandum for the opening of classes this June 24,

2020 that there will be no strictly face to face teaching to our learners. The schools and other DepEd  officials find it difficult on how to implement the modular and blended learning modalities due to  several factors. Most of the school areas do not have internet connection, limited source of fund for the  reproduction of modules and other related materials as well as as trainings of the teachers who will  implement the new modalities of learning in the field. These are some apprehensions of teachers and  school leaders not only in the public schools but even in the private. Secretary Briones together with  her staff continuously look for the applicable modalities and solution to combat illiteracy rate in the  Philippines.     The tool that I am going to use is VISUALIZATION. Considering the presented situation of our

Educational system. I have to figure the actual scenario in the field. There are schools that have internet  connection while many of them do not have. Modalities of learning to be applied depends on the  situation and capability of the school and support given by the Local Government Unit and other  stakeholders. Likewise, the ability and availability of parental support are also aspects that we have to  put into consideration. Primary grade pupils are said to be one of the most vulnerable level as far  teaching and learning is concern. The mentioned situation was some of the problems that we have to  visualize in order to give/ suggest possible remedies.      II.  APPLICATION

Teaching is said to be the noblest profession and vocation as well. The dedication and

commitment of every educators to build learning, impart knowledge, skills and right attitude are  some of the important aspects that we consider in facing the pandemic crisis. As the author suggest,  visualization tool can be considered effective by envisioning the possible situation and solution to  our learners. By asking full support to all our parents, capacitating them who will extend assistance  to their children, building positive attitude and equip our teachers with best strategies and solution  to address individual differences of our learners considering the kind of modules that will be  provided. Before the opening of classes, DepEd conducted child mapping to identify the kind of  modalities that will be utilized by each school. It said that it may vary depending on the situation  and availability of resources. One component of having prepared mind is to do the “LEARNING  MIND SET” whose parents, learners, teachers and educational leaders’ perspective of education is  positive despite of this crisis. Let us consider this situation an opportunity for the parents and  teachers to establish partnership in educating the child. Let this pandemic situation be an eye opener  for the school leaders and law makers to have empathy and sincerity of their job that is in cognizant  with what ever situation. Let the DepEd writer and modules developer come up with the  contextualize competencies and learning resources that are more applicable and helpful on the part  of our learners considering their individual differences.       In our respective district, we have come up with possible solution that would help our

learners and parents. We planned to realign budget from the School MOOE for the purchase and  reproduction of modules. Teachers made an intervention in their own classroom observing health  protocols and distribution of kit and materials to their leaners. The school head created a scheme  on the reporting of teachers considering physical distancing. Supervisors and other DepEd officials  coordinated with the Local Government Unit and other possible stakeholders for the continuous  financial support to our institution. Furthermore, vulnerable parents were identified so that schools

could extend their technical assistance to those parents (illiterate) who are not capacitated to be of  guidance to their children.

III.  INSIGHTS AND APPROACH

The activity on visualization tool is of great advantage considering the chosen situation.

The aspects of figuring what might happen in the future plays a vital role to come up with  possible solution. Indeed, pandemic crisis really affect the education system, its learning,  materials and modalities to be used. However, realization was made after re-evaluation of the  suggested possible solutions. “LEARNING LAUNCH” I believe could be of great help in this  situation. Considering the idea and information gathered in the field, it is better to do a sort of  experimentation in pilot class or school for the better implementation of various learning  modalities. Vulnerable parents can also be included in the experimentation by identifying their  difficulties and capacitating them in a certain period of time before the opening of classes.  Collaboration of all stakeholders, teachers and parents will help remove the barriers and  uncertainty in the implementation of various possible solutions.

