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It’s no secret that education systems here and abroad were hit hard by the Covid-19 pandemic. And while we often hear about student and parent struggles with online learning, teachers have their fair share of challenges, too.
From preparing lesson plans to conducting classes and submitting assignments, teachers must ensure that the quality of learning is maintained even in the absence of face-to-face interactions.
Like students and parents, teachers would probably say “the fight is real.”
A different preparation
One of these professors is the ex-reporter and television presenter Julius Segovia, who teaches various communication subjects, specifically Television Production, Principles of Journalism, Visual Journalism, Multimedia Performance and News Production at four different universities.
Before the pandemic, he prepared his lessons a few days or weeks before they were delivered to his students. This time, his waiting time had to be longer.
“You need to prepare and finish all the modules for the entire semester before classes start,” Julius said.
Another journalism teacher, Melanie Moreno, agrees that she had to overcome fences upon fences to be able to hold her classes, not only to keep things in order, but also to ensure learning among her students.
“Preparing lessons during this pandemic is much more challenging than before, as the concern is not limited to making sure that learning is transferred to students, but also to making sure it is actually delivered to them,” says Melanie, who teaches at a public high school in Cavite.
“The diversity of students in terms of academic achievement and ability now adds to their diverse socioeconomic status and their ability to maintain education amid the pandemic,” he adds.
R-Jay Cayton, a teacher in the Alternative Learning System (ALS) mode of education, finds the previous work more complicated than before.
“The planning part is complex now since the classes are online. My audiovisual materials, my camera and my microphone must be tested at least two days before my class. Before, it was a day earlier because I just needed to prepare my visual aids. ”R-Jay, who teaches English at the basic education level to mostly adult students.
Challenging class behavior
As a television reporter and host of online shows, Julius is used to speaking in front of the camera. And while you don’t expect the camera to respond to you, you know that your messages get through because people react to what you say on those platforms. That is not necessarily the case with online classes.
Like any other teacher, Julius is used to interacting with students face to face. And even if you are in front of the camera, this time for classes, you may not receive the same feedback from your students.
“Students are not required to open their camera because it consumes more bandwidth. With this, I’m not sure if I’m really talking to my students or just doing my monologue during class discussions, ”he explains.
Julius also points to some obstacles in conducting blended learning sessions, or a combination of online and face-to-face classes, as directed by the Higher Education Commission.
“[Students] You will be given modules instead of virtual meetings. That is, you have students with different learning modalities. Medyo nakakalito ‘yun is a farewell teacher, ”he says.
Classes for public schools are scheduled to begin on October 5, which is also World Teachers’ Day. But even before this, Melanie has already tested her class online, particularly for her tenth graders, in order to identify the issues that need to be addressed.
Like probably many teachers, Melanie describes this “impersonal” learning method as quite challenging.
“It takes a lot of thoughtful thinking and evaluation, as you would need to develop a uniform concrete material that addresses the needs of a diverse audience. I believe that [developers of Alternative Delivery Mode] Therefore, the learning materials must be very skilled with the trade, ”he shares.
Internet problem
The teachers themselves are saying that having good internet connectivity is a major problem in delivering their lessons.
“Not all families can afford the expenses [of securing a stable internet connection]. The stability of the internet in our country is [also] really challenging, apart from the fact that the teacher’s presence in the learning process is really compromised. [Limited] the presence of the teacher affects the learning of the students according to the studies ”, says Melanie.
In addition to the fluctuating internet connection, R-Jay is also bothered by the unnecessary background noises he hears, as they are distracting to both him and his students.
Change in the assessment of student learning
It is common for teachers to distribute seat assignments and tests within the classroom. Since there is virtually no classroom to talk about this school year, teachers had to make adjustments in how to make sure their students have actually learned or will learn their lessons.
“I am lenient in terms of deadlines. I allow sufficient time for students to complete the required dismissal, but we strictly follow the protocols regarding late shipments. They receive deductions if they are sent late, ”says Julius.
“If they can present excellent radio or television material, it means they have learned something from me,” he emphasizes even more.
Melanie’s early preparations have paid off so far.
“Even before the opening of classes, [my learners and I] They have been participating in different online projects. We fought at the beginning. However, with the passage of time we were able to establish an organized system, only using FB and Messenger, which are accessible even without Internet data compared to other educational applications available today that require Internet access, ”he shares.
Manage virtual classroom behavior
Keeping an entire class attentive has always been a challenge for teachers, especially at the basic education levels, but the “new normal” gave it a whole new dimension.
Like Julius’s students, not all of Melanie’s turn on their cameras; still, teachers find ways to manage their classroom behavior.
“I involve them in discussions. Sometimes I ask them to open [their cameras], usually at the end of the meeting just to make sure they’re paying attention. Other than that, their results reflect whether they have learned something or not, ”Melanie says.
R-Jay, meanwhile, keeps his students in check by remaining silent when they speak.
Wait for the ‘new normal’ of education
In the end, teachers hope that everything related to online classes and blended learning will be beneficial for students.
“I hope that students realize that they must work hand in hand with their teachers to achieve online classes. After all, we have to work together to make it all happen. The blended learning approach for kids is no joke. [In the] In the same way, it is also a challenge for teachers, especially non-technical ones, ”says Julius.
“With careful planning, honest and realistic feedback for processing, I believe that education will continue to advance effectively. It just takes adaptability and synergy, as life shouldn’t end with the virus. Rather, it should open up broader and more positive possibilities without compromising the precious lives of our teachers, students and other stakeholders, ”shares Melanie.
R-Jay’s students may be of legal age, but he still hopes the pandemic and the sudden change in behavior classes won’t stop adults from learning more.
“[I hope my students would] value themselves more, so they can dream big [because education promotes equity]. “
BDO Network Bank’s commitment to education, teachers
The work of our teachers in shaping the minds of the nation is itself a sacrifice and an act of love because it requires time, attention, and patience. These have doubled, perhaps even tripled or more this pandemic.
Clearly, teachers have been finding ways to continue the students’ learning process, refusing to give up their calling.
BDO is one with them in constant service to the community in these difficult times.
As his commitment to continuing education amid the pandemic, his rural banking arm, BDO Network Bank, supported the Department of Education’s health and safety campaign for teachers and students alike, donating P1 million worth of isopropyl alcohol and washable face masks. 1,105 public schools will benefit, within the framework of the Eskwela Brigade program.
On the other hand, as part of the Balik Eskwela campaign, BDO Network Bank employees were encouraged to donate school supplies (shoes, bags and school supplies) for teachers and students at DepEd. Additionally, as part of this program, P420,000 in ICT equipment (laptops, desktops, and scanners) were delivered to DepEd through the rural bank’s association with the BDO Foundation and the SM Foundation.
Additionally, BDO Network Bank provided school supplies to further assist teachers and students, donating P1.4 million in bond papers under the Adopt-a-School program.
Like the country’s dedicated teachers, BDO hopes to overcome the pandemic, so that learning experiences can eventually resume safely beyond people’s homes and within actual classrooms. (PR)
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