A typical classroom scenario is led by a teacher imparting knowledge to the students. But because of the life-changing effect of the pandemic, the once filled classrooms are now empty and even teachers are becoming learners themselves as they seek innovative solutions to make education truly accessible and inclusive.
In the Philippines, some of the solutions being considered are online learning, print modules, and even educational programs on mass media. On top of this, what the Filipino learners and teachers truly need is a crisis-resilient approach that can securely reach everyone’s home, even to far-flung and remote areas of the country.
In pursuit of this advocacy, Ramon Magsaysay Awardees and physicists, Dr. Chris Bernido and Dr. M. Victoria Carpio-Bernido developed an innovative teaching strategy called the CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program (DLP) way back 2002. Recognized by the Department of Education as a Flexible Learning Option, this approach develops students as independent learners so they can continue their studies at home even with limited to no internet connectivity and with minimal teacher and parent intervention.
The program grooms students, including those in DepEd’s Alternative Learning System (ALS) Program, to harness future-ready skills and develop competencies on Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics or STEM. Students under the program were recorded to achieve exemplary academic performance and were able to pass entrance examinations for universities here and abroad.
To enlighten educators about this approach, the CVIF-DLP staged a three-day, free-for-all web forum titled No Learner Left Behind: Education For All In The New Normal, with the support from the Department of Education, and its lead implementers, PLDT-Smart Foundation, and Smart Communications, Inc.
With over 400,000 views throughout its 3-day run, the virtual event was made possible through the efforts of its lead proponents and partner organizations such as Gabay Guro, AHA Learning Center, Save The Children Philippines, World Vision Philippines, and Yellow Boat of Hope Foundation.
“We are now facing a big shift on how learning can be done, but we believe that learning beyond classrooms can and even produce better results as long as the students have a strong support and supervisory system from their family and teachers,” shared the Bernido couple. “Most importantly, a crisis-resilient learning would be possible if we can gather communities, the government, and even private sectors to support every Filipino child’s education.”
"We understand how difficult it must be for our educators to adjust their strategies and look for an approach that can stand any situation, whether there is a pandemic or not,” said Ramon Isberto, PLDT-Smart Public Affairs Group Head. “We believe that the CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program can help schools acclimatize to the new normal, and I am also proud to say that we believe in this learning method and that we have been supporting this program, along with other initiatives, for many years now.”
Day 1 unpacked the Dynamic Learning Program, sharing concrete steps on how to implement this approach for the coming school opening. Present in the forum was Department of Education Undersecretary for Legislative Affairs, External Partnerships and Project Management Service Tonisito M.C. Umali, Esq., who shared his optimism about the program.
"The concept that the DLP is advancing is the very concept that we are trying to explain under the self-learning modules and distance learning modality that we have under our learning continuity plan," Usec. Umali said. "We truly support this great endeavor, and we would like to thank everyone who is behind this project as the Dynamic Learning Program responds to the challenge of encouraging students to pursue their studies even during these difficult times."
Day 2 showcased representatives from schools who have adopted DLP so they can share their experiences and best practices in implementing the Program, especially in the ‘New Normal.’ Department of Education Undersecretary for Curriculum and Instruction Diosdado M. San Antonio also expressed that the department is glad to be part of this undertaking.
"We know there is this thing called new normal, and the Department of Education has come up with a continuity plan that recognizes the need for multiple learning delivery modalities…personally, I agree that the strategy utilized by the DLP is something that perhaps should also be done at a bigger scale in the Department of Education," Usec San Antonio shared. "Fellow teachers, I appreciate your openness and commitment to be a part of the Department of Education's effort in making sure that our youngsters will be able to learn even in this so-called COVID-19 emergency."
Lastly, capping off the 3-part web forum is an in-depth look at the Learning Activity Sheets, which is a key component of the DLP in the New Normal, and how to align it to DepEd’s Most Essential Learning Competencies. AHA Learning Center also presented the use of Facebook Messenger for Teacher Intervention.
“We’ve supported the CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program for over 10 years now because it provides concrete, tried-and-tested solutions to the problems faced by the education sector, to ensure that no learner will get left behind,” said Stephanie Orlino, AVP for Community Partnerships, Smart Communications.
To know more about CVIF-Dynamic Learning Program and other #LearnSmart programs, visit www.facebook.com/DynamicLearningProgram or www.DLP.PH, or send an email to LearnSmart@smart.com.ph.
