BLENDED Approaches: Our modality for Flexible Learning

Flexible learning allows the flexibility in terms of time, place and people in the learning process. It is a student-centered approach . This is not focused on technology only, because the availability of resources such as internet connection, devices and methods are also considered. Flexible learning is one of the response of CHED to this time of pandemic.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) released the CMO 4. s. 2020 the "Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Learning" to serve as a guide for the HEIs. In the learning modalities for delivering the flexible learning there are three identified.

• Offline - students will be given printed modules, video tapes, CDs, videos and audios recorded in storage devices which will contain the lessons. Radio and Tv broadcast is included here. The assessment will be done through proctored assessment, rubrics or project based. Offline strategy is applicable to those students who do not have access to internet connection and computers.

• Online - in this modality, all of the lessons, resources and teaching methods will be done online. The use of Video Conferencing apps such as Zoom, Google Meet, Lark, discord are necessary for the delivery of lessons. Assessments will be done online as well. The Use of Learning Management system is also included in this modality. It is expected that all of the students have access to internet and they have computers with them.

• Blended - this approach combines the Offline and Online approaches in which the suitability to the students is determined. Those students who do not have access to internet, computers, they will be given printed modules for their lessons and assessments. While those who have access can have online access to resources such as modules through LMS and at times attend online classes through video-conferencing apps upon the schedules. Assessment are submitted through the LMS for checking of the faculty.

BLENDED Approaches : Our chosen strategy

We are situated in one of the provinces in Davao Region where there are issues in internet connectivity, students do not have access to computers or laptops, the college chose the Blended approaches. We have students who are given course packs - the modules for learning and their assessment are collected in a determined time and designated place. Other students also attend scheduled online classes, we have LMS where lessons and assessments are uploaded. The modules are also uploaded. The students can also submit their answers through the LMS.

Challenges.

During the implementation we have encountered a lot of challenges which include but not limited to the following:

• The preparation of course packs / modules. It is considered as a challenge because not all faculty members has a proper training on the suggested way on how to make the modules. The lessons should match to the course outline as well as intended learning outcomes of the course. Deciding the proper assessment to be included in the course pack is also considered.

• Student Submission of Tasks and Assessment. There is a delay in the submission process, since it is flexible, the students can have their own pacing in the submission. Also for those who chose offline, there assessments are submitted in the guard house in which sometimes are misplaced or mixed with other submission, added with weather conditions, there are stories of wet submissions.

• Poor internet connection. For those students who have online meet-ups with faculty, poor internet is really an issue. Lags are really experienced and not all who chose online can still attend. That's why, we usually record the classes and upload it in the LMS for viewing for those who have not attended.

• Assessment of Laboratory related subjects. There are subjects that really needs laboratory for assessment. For an instance, how could a student make a program or know that the computer program is working he/she is just writing the code in a piece of paper. How could an engineering student knows how to operate engineering tools without taking a hold of them.

CONCLUSION

In this time of pandemic, both faculty and students are adjusting and finding ways to make the learning process possible. There are several approaches introduced yet there are issues and challenges, but whatever it may be, our hopes are - no student will be left behind and all of us can do things together.

How about you? What learning modality have you experienced or used? What are the challenges you have encountered? I would really love to know your story.

Related articles:

LMS as a tool for teaching

The different types of students in the new normal

How we teach in the new normal class in the higher education

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