LA TRINIDAD, Benguet – The Department of Education is continuously exploring approaches to make blended learning modalities accessible and easily understood by learners in this time of Covid-19 pandemic where face-to-face learning is not allowed.
DepEd Usec. Alain del Pascua in his recent visit in the Cordillera said DepEd employs different learning modalities to keep up with the delivery of accessible and better learning options, such as use of printed materials, production of TV/radio episodes, and online and social media platforms.
Del Pascua said even if modular learning is the adopted mode, learners can still access the self-learning modules (SLMs) and episodes through the DepEd TV, DepEd Commons, or Youtube channel.
The SLMs can be accessed in the various platforms to reinforce learning. Soon, the learning materials may also be available through Facebook, he said.
Del Pascua said learning episodes for Kinder to grade 12 are shown in DepEd TV over IBC 13, a government-owned television station, from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. from Monday to Saturday at 30 minutes each.
Learning can be reinforced by watching the lessons on TV because it can be understood easily if somebody is explaining what is in the printed material, he added.
The DepEd Commons is an option for those who have access to equipment like smartphones, tablets, laptops, desktop computers, and Internet.
DepEd, through the Department of Information and Communication Technology, has partnered with giant telecommunication networks to forego charges in accessing the site, so using DepEd Commons to download learning materials does not incur data charges and may be used even without cell phone load, he said.
“Anytime of the day if you miss the TV episode, it can be downloaded from the DepEd Commons or from Youtube. This is what we call blended learning,” del Pascua said.
He said in the pipeline to improve and strengthen teaching is the Public Education Network, which will gives access to the DepEd system, making available all learning materials, Internet connectivity for the Last Mile Schools Program through solar energy and satellite, and Internet connectivity by tapping local power utilities.
The Last Mile Schools Program aims to address the gaps in resources and facilities of schools located in geographically isolated and disadvantaged and conflict-affected areas. – Susan C. Aro
