The future is ‘blended’ learning

PAGBABAGO Dr. Florangel Rosario-Braid The Department of Education’s mandatory order of a return by all public and private schools to in-person learning was a response to public perception about the relative advantages of the latter. Only schools with “highly exceptional” circumstances may continue using the blended or hybrid mode. Private schools were given the option to employ the hybrid mode after consultations with parents. But only 40 percent or 25,700 schools have re-opened, citing the lack of school building and inadequate health facilities. This move may have been prompted by initial surveys worldwide that had shown among others that “extended remote learning had harmed students.” Too, there was pressure to return to the conventional system as we were one of the last few countries to transition back to face-to-face learning. Surveys in some countries had shown that the experience with online learning was not favorable. Some school districts in the United States noted a decline two to three times greater than those that taught students in-person. The decline is due to unpreparedness in handling the shift. The pass/fail system had its pros and cons. While it may have reduced anxiety, the system discourages students from exerting effort to excel. Like the Philippines, many of the developing countries have poor internet connection. There is a general lack of motivation, inadequate technology tools, and stress due to additional paper work. But if these limitations were addressed, the survey outcomes could have turned out differently. Perhaps over time, when we shall have provided the needed budgetary resources that would ensure upskilling of our teachers, improved connectivity and other serious deficiencies, a shift in favor of the blended modality may be considered. One hopeful note is that our premier university, the University of the Philippines, will be implementing blended learning as its delivery mode this year. This realization of the need to prepare our human resources through blended learning augurs well for the future. It is only through a radical shift in the learning and delivery systems, and the provision of a wide range of learning tools in various formats that we can equip learners with the so-called 21st century competencies. These include critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and negotiation skills, systems thinking, interpersonal skills, and self-directed learning. The complexities in our modern world require personal attributes such as openness to challenge, curiosity, mindfulness, resilience in adversity, and active listening. Psychologists call it a focus on the “cognitive” domain which means developing capability for problem-solving or task regulation; and the “social” domain or skills needed for productive collaboration and participation. But until we are able to equip our teachers with these competencies, we can only dream in vain. Thus, we are back to the most important element – political will and the will to succeed. My email, Florangel.braid@gmail.com