As it continues to come up and implement various strategies to ensure learning delivery amid the challenges that confront the country’s education sector, the Department of Education (DepEd) underscored the need for strong and stable internet connection.
Information and Communications Technology Service-Education Technology Unit (ICTS-EdTech) Head Mark Anthony Sy, during the wee-long virtual In-Service (INSET), underscored the need for more ICT training for teachers.
“We are not leaving you behind. We are listening. We know your struggles,” Sy said. He also appealed to concerned authorities to help provide a strong internet connection for education.
During the first day of INSET, Sy discussed some effective strategies in delivering synchronous teaching. He noted teachers must provide learners with an agenda and set their expectations and inform the students about it.
Teachers, Sy added, also need to encourage discussion among learners, conduct icebreakers before the session, have a shorter but recorded session, and strategically use the chat tools.
Following the amendment of the school calendar and activities for SY 2020-2021 by virtue of DepEd Order No. 012, s. 2021, DepEd offered online training programs for teachers during the INSET Week from March 15 to 19.
In February, Education Secretary Leonor Briones also noted that internet service is also a “problem” for DepEd - and the education as a whole.
Among the alternative learning delivery modalities being offered by DepEd this school year is online learning. If internet service or connectivity is poor, she noted that the delivery of education to students at this time is also affected.
“We recognize that it's not sufficient,” Briones said, referring to the stability of internet connection in the country. “That is really an issue that DepEd is not responsible for but we recognize it as a problem,” she added.