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EXPLAINER: Alternative modes of learning as Philippines grapples with COVID-19

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Jaehwa Bernardo, ABS-CBN News

<div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/06/03/20200203-school-mask-coronavirus-md-1.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Students wear face masks at a school in Barangay Batasan Hills, Quezon City on February 3, 2020. <em>Mark Demayo, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><p>MANILA — The coronavirus pandemic has changed how education would be delivered to millions of learners in the country.</p><p>Face-to-face learning, the traditional mode which involves physical interaction between students and teachers, is now greatly discouraged to lower the risk of the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).</p><p>At the basic education level, the Department of Education (DepEd) is offering schools a &quot;menu&quot; of alternatives to physical classes.</p><p>Schools and community learning centers, under the guidance of DepEd&#x27;s regional and division offices, will be allowed to choose among these alternative modes, depending on the available resources for learners and health situation in their locality, the agency said.</p><div><strong>DISTANCE LEARNING</strong></div><p>Under distance learning, students and instructors are geographically remote from each other. Learners at home may also be supervised by parents or guardians.</p><p>According to Education Secretary Leonor Briones&#x27; presentation to President Rodrigo Duterte last Thursday, distance learning allows lessons to be delivered to students through the following methods:</p><ul>	<li>Printed or digital modules delivered to the homes of the students or picked up by their parents at designated places within coordinated schedules.</li>	<li>Online learning resources such as the DepEd Commons.</li>	<li>Television or radio-based instruction.</li></ul><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/28/20/no-need-to-buy-gadgets-deped-says-to-provide-printed-modules">No need to buy gadgets: DepEd says to provide printed modules</a></li>	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/28/20/briones-deped-to-tap-tv-radio-for-education-amid-pandemic">Briones: DepEd to tap TV, radio for education amid pandemic</a></li></ul><p>Education officials have also floated the term &quot;blended learning,&quot; which refers to a combination of limited face-to-face interaction between student and teacher, and the use of online platforms and printed or digital modules.</p><div><strong>HOMESCHOOLING</strong></div><p>Homeschooling, according to the DepEd, provides learners with equal access to quality basic education at home. This can be facilitated by qualified parents, guardians, or tutors who have undergone relevant training.</p><p>But the DepEd said the policy on homeschooling remains under review.</p><p>The school year for K-12 students starts on August 24 but private schools can start earlier as long as they do not hold face-to-face classes, according to the DepEd.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/27/20/august-24-school-opening-a-go-enrollment-starts-june-1-palace">August 24 school opening a go, enrollment starts June 1: Palace</a></li></ul><div class="embed-wrap"><figure data-feedback="fb:likes,fb:comments"><img src="http://sa.kapamilya.com/absnews/abscbnnews/media/2020/news/06/03/20200522-cyber-graduation-taguig-jc-6735.jpg?ext=.jpg?ext=.jpg"/><figcaption>Robots standing in place of actual students receive graduation certificates during the “cyber-graduation” of Senator Renato &quot;Compañero&quot; Cayetano Memorial Science and Technology High School in Taguig City on May 22, 2020.<em> Jonathan Cellona, ABS-CBN News</em></figcaption></figure></div><div><strong>FLEXIBLE LEARNING</strong></div><p>At the tertiary education level, the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has urged schools to implement flexible learning approach.</p><p>CHED Chairman Prospero de Vera earlier explained that flexible learning was not limited to online classes or activities. Lessons, he said, may also be delivered through take-home exercises and educational packets.</p><p>Siliman University, for instance, is developing a learning management system that can work even without internet connection, De Vera said at a Senate hearing last month.</p><p>Colleges and universities can start their school year depending on their learning delivery mode.</p><p>Higher education institutions using full online education can open any time after May 31 while those with flexible learning can start in August.</p><p>Schools using significant face-to-face mode can open in September, according to the CHED.</p><ul class="op-related-articles">	<li><a href="https://news.abs-cbn.com/news/05/11/20/ched-wants-universities-colleges-to-train-teachers-on-flexible-learning">CHED wants universities, colleges to train teachers on &#x27;flexible&#x27; learning</a></li></ul>

<p>Face-to-face learning, the traditional mode which involves physical interaction between students and teachers, is now greatly discouraged to lower the risk of the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).<br /> </p>

Face-to-face learning, the traditional mode which involves physical interaction between students and teachers, is now greatly discouraged to lower the risk of the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19).

EXPLAINER: Alternative modes of learning as Philippines grapples with COVID-19

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EXPLAINER: Alternative modes of learning as Philippines grapples with COVID-19

Jaehwa Bernardo,

ABS-CBN News

Published Jun 03, 2020 05:27 PM PHT

|

Updated Jun 03, 2020 09:49 PM PHT

Read More:

education

Department of Education

Commission on Higher Education

distance learning

blended learning

flexible learning

homeschooling

alternative learning

coronavirus education

coronavirus school opening

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