Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Modes of Learning
Posted July 28, 2020 by Office of the University President
The COVID-19 pandemic has changed education forever (Li and Lalani, 29 April 2020). With schools shut down across the globe, millions of instructors and students have had to adapt to new learning forms. This time people veer to online learning to continue education after school buildings were shut down to help the government flatten the curve. Once the curve is flattened, people cannot immediately go back to normal; every one shall face what they call “new normal”. This new normal call for “Flexible Learning”. Flexible learning is a method that instructors and students can use to attain a common goal for the subject. Flexible learning requires a balance of power between institutions and students and seeks to find ways in which choice can be provided that is economically viable and appropriately manageable for institutions and students alike (AdvanceHE, 2019). According to CHED Commissioner, Prospero de Vera, the “more practical solution” amid the coronavirus threat is to move toward flexible learning, which uses digital and non-digital technology (Cervantes, 30 April 2020).
A study provided evidence on how the adoption of an online learning platform together with an appropriate strategic framework and pedagogical approaches could benefit students’ intercultural learning without leaving their respective hometowns i.e. internationalization at Home (Law, Hafiz, Kwong, & Wong, 2019). Delivering online instructions in developing countries is a big challenge not only to the instructors but also the students. As dela Peña-Bandalaria (2007) described in her study on the impacts of information and communication technology on open and distance learning in the Philippines, there is a “digital divide” primarily because the concern of the people here is meeting first their basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter. Though, acknowledging these facts, dela Peña-Bandalaria still proved that online education has a space in the education system of the Philippines.
In a developing country like the Philippines, owning a gadget for online learning and accessing internet connection is still a challenge to most of the students. These guidelines provide availability of modality of learning for students to choose to ensure that no one is left behind.
The Administrators and Faculty of Bulacan State University will do their utmost to provide the best service they can at this time. However, it will be important for everyone to be flexible and patient when working online and when deadlines are inevitably missed. The learning curve will be steep for all concerned. Patience with a can-do attitude will be required by all stakeholders including students, faculty, staff, and parents to ensure distance learning is both purposeful and successful.
Support to the students and instructors, policy and structured program for flexible mode of learning implementation needs to be crafted to suit in the “new normal” environment. Thus, these guidelines will bring light to the requirements of the University to implement various modalities of delivering instruction and will be called “Guidelines on the Implementation of Flexible Mode of Learning”.