by Roxanne Janice M. Centena
As this challenging academic term begins, and some students are learning remotely, San Agustin Elementary School, together, focus, reflect, and collaborate hand in hand to create and shape an improved educational system. Everyone, from teachers and parents to students and the principal, they’re working together toward the same goals. Everyone is participating. In short, San Agustin Elementary has achieved shared responsibility—not just for student results, but for everything that happens in the school. By building a framework of shared responsibility, educators now have an opportunity to leverage key lessons and insights gained during this time to focus on “a new normal” that better supports student’s well-being, equity, and engagement with learning for all students during the next semester and beyond.
The solution lies in neither a top-down approach from policymakers, reactive changes to teacher preparation and in-service training, nor temporary makeshift arrangements by under-resourced principals and teachers. All parties need to be involved in developing strategies that can be implemented in the near-term as well as long-term.
Although there have been overwhelming challenges for educators, schools, institutions and the government regarding online education from a different angle, there are several opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic. It has forged a strong connection between teachers and parents than ever before. The homeschooling requires parents to support the students’ learning academically and economically. Children with disabilities need additional and special support during this ongoing emergency. Teachers were trained to use online platforms such as Google Classroom, Zoom, virtual learning environment and social media and various group forums like Telegram, Messenger, WhatsApp and WeChat are explored and tried for teaching and learning for the first time
ever to continue education. Teachers are obliged to develop creative initiatives that assist to overcome the limitations of virtual teaching. Teachers are actively collaborating with one another at a local level to improve online teaching methods. There are incomparable opportunities for cooperation, creative solutions and willingness to learn from others and tested new tools as educators, parents and students share similar experiences.
Many educational organizations are offering their tools and solutions for free to help and support teaching and learning in a more interactive and engaging environment. Online learning has provided the opportunity to teach and learn in innovative ways unlike the teaching and learning experiences in the normal classroom setting.
Developing strong attitudes towards learning can help students overcome some of the potential challenges posed by online learning such as, for instance, remaining focused during online classes or maintaining sufficient motivation. They are also crucial in supporting students using information and communications technology (ICT) effectively and making the most of new technologies for learning. Positive attitudes towards learning, self-regulation and intrinsic motivation to learn, play an important role in improving performance at school.