Reflection

 The pandemic has greatly highlighted the digital divide between the haves and the have nots, which we have been experiencing even before this unfortunate episode of our lives. Now more than ever, we realize that those who have access to a learning device and the Internet are the ones who will greatly benefit from the online learning programs that schools are working on. So, if we know that there are families and students who can’t have a decent access to these digital tools and devices, what should we do then? Even if they have devices at home, what if they also need to share that one learning device with their other siblings who also need to study and catch up with the requirements of their class? 

Given the reality of the country, or even schools, in terms of digital divide, the best thing to do is to provide multiple pathways to education continuity. Taking into consideration the context of every student, teacher, and family, those pathways need to address their teaching and learning needs. Aside from online learning, there are learning packets that can be used, which is reminiscent of the correspondence mode of distance education way back years ago. Broadcast stations in regions or localities can be used to air radio or TV programs on lessons being learned in class. With these varying approaches to delivering learning, educators and school leaders should also be opened to re-thinking the purpose of assessments and grades. Are quizzes or long tests the best way to authentically access student’s learning in an online learning environment? Should we still grade them according to our face-to-face learning standards? The basic idea here is, while we aim for multiple pathways to learning or instruction, assessments and maybe even the grading systems will have to be reviewed to serve their main goals at this point of the pandemic. Society should demand for a new normal thThe pandemic has greatly highlighted the digital divide between the haves and the have nots, which we have been experiencing even before this unfortunate episode of our lives. Now more than ever, we realize that those who have access to a learning device and the Internet are the ones who will greatly benefit from the online learning programs that schools are working on. So, if we know that there are families and students who can’t have a decent access to these digital tools and devices, what should we do then? Even if they have devices at home, what if they also need to share that one learning device with their other siblings who also need to study and catch up with the requirements of their class? 

Given the reality of the country, or even schools, in terms of digital divide, the best thing to do is to provide multiple pathways to education continuity. Taking into consideration the context of every student, teacher, and family, those pathways need to address their teaching and learning needs. Aside from online learning, there are learning packets that can be used, which is reminiscent of the correspondence mode of distance education way back years ago. Broadcast stations in regions or localities can be used to air radio or TV programs on lessons being learned in class. With these varying approaches to delivering learning, educators and school leaders should also be opened to re-thinking the purpose of assessments and grades. Are quizzes or long tests the best way to authentically access student’s learning in an online learning environment? Should we still grade them according to our face-to-face learning standards? The basic idea here is, while we aim for multiple pathways to learning or instruction, assessments and maybe even the grading systems will have to be reviewed to serve their main goals at this point of the pandemic. Society should demand for a new normal that puts the teacher in a more valued and prominent position, in words, actions, and policies. We do not get tired of being referred to as the most noble profession and we honestly and sincerely love it. We love how our students and parents show their appreciation and gratitude for the work that we do. However, it’s time to demand that the country invests more on training teachers to be more flexible and knowledgeable of the new approaches to learning and teaching, whether online or offline. We need to listen more to their needs and requests as they aim to teach better. We all know that our country’s progress also depends on the quality of education that we have. Hence, a battalion of well-trained, valued, and dedicated teachers can help develop a generation of better and responsible citizens, who can greatly contribute to the development of the society and humanity.

Resources:

https://francisjimtuscano.com/2020/04/27/its-not-about-online-learning-a-reflection-on-the-new-normal-in-education-part-1/#:~:text=As%20a%20society%20in%20the,help%20their%20children%20might%20need.

https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.philstar.com%2Fheadlines%2F2020%2F10%2F05%2F2047267%2F22-million-back-school-under-new-normal&psig=AOvVaw0_V11TCJOI65-XI0j8jbit&ust=1611139738527000&source=images&cd=vfe&ved=0CAIQjRxqFwoTCKi5mqrpp-4CFQAAAAAdAAAAABAD