Most students prefer modular learning

CEBU, Philippines — About 90 percent surveyed in Cebu City has preferred to do modular distance learning among the three modalities to be used, as the new school year starts this month.

Cebu City Public School Teachers’ Association (CCPSTA) president Remus Mariñas disclosed this in an interview with The FREEMAN.

“Based on the survey that we had, the majority opted to do a modular approach. Modular learning involves individualized instruction that allows learners to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format/electronic copy, whichever is applicable in the context of the learner, and other learning resources like Learner’s Materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study guides and other study materials,” Mariñas  said.

The teacher takes the responsibility of monitoring the progress of the learners.

Learners can also ask assistance via text or call or via email or on social media from their teachers, if a home visit is not possible.

Just like the rest of the country, many have preferred to do modular learning due to the absence of a gadget that can be used to access their lessons.

As such, there are now some teachers who are knocking on kind-hearted individuals to donate bond papers as their salaries will not also be enough to reproduce the modules aside from perhaps those that will be provided by its school.

Based on the initial feedback they got, modules might be distributed by purok already, instead of by barangay.

The rest opted to do online and offline learning until face-to-face learning at school is already allowed next year.

Offline learning is for those students who have gadgets but do not have access to the internet. Recorded sessions of online classes shall be sent to the students via USB or CDs depending on the device they are using at home.

Most of those who are opting to do online are from Cebu City Science High School.

Public school teachers here already had a dry run together with the students and their parents.

For those who opt to do online learning, but suddenly missed some classes due to problems with its internet connections, may also opt to do offline learning or ask a copy of what had been discussed on that day or may also shift to offline learning or the modules depending on its current situation.

It is very taxing on the part of the teachers, but Mariñas said, none of them are giving up, even as it means waking up at the wee hours of the night for better internet connection in preparing for its lessons as well as the risks one has to take when delivering the modules to their students.

“Sayang kaayo ang time if we just let the children stay idle at home and  have nothing else to do.  We are doing our best to deliver lessons as simple as it can be as we incorporate it with household set-up, ”said Mariñas.

It will also be an exciting twist for the students as they do urban gardening and perhaps cooking, conditioning exercises for its P.E. and not whole day on a computer for those who do online learning.

Mariñas said the home-based set-up is also expected to improve the communication and rapport of the parents, guardians and its kids as parents and guardians also acts as para-teachers or teacher-assistants in delivering the lessons to their children. — GAN (FREEMAN)