By Thea Andrea C. Magueriano
Digital learning has been challenging for students, educators, and parents.
Availability—or lack thereof—of gadgets, mental health issues, heavy workload, shortage of learning spaces, and Internet connection problems were some of the obstacles in virtual classes mentioned by educators who are also parents at Globe’s GoLearn press launch held online.
Eric Parungao, an Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao (EsP) coordinator and faculty club president at Andres Bonifacio Integrated School in Mandaluyong City, shared the continuous efforts of teachers educating themselves in technology.
“Patuloy pa rin ang ginagawa naming pag-aaral at pag-papaunlad ng aming mga sarili sa larangan ng teknolohiya upang magamit sa pagtuturo. Nandoon na rin ang pagsusumikap ng bawat guro na maisabuhay ito upang patuloy kaming maging instrumento at daluyan ng kaalaman ng mga batang tinuturuan,” stated Parungao.
Learning essentials
Notebooks and pens were the icons of back-to-school season, but with virtual learning, computers and Internet connection are the new essentials.
Part of teachers’ preparation is ensuring they and their students have gadgets and Internet connection necessary for the classes. “Kailangan ito as a way of communication ni teacher sa mga bata at pati na rin sa parent,” said Marisa Aurellano, school principal III of Nagrebcan National High School in Badoc, Ilocos Norte.
To engage with students, Emerson Dalangin, head teacher 1 at Sico 1.0 Integrated National High School in San Juan, Batangas, created a group chat.
Dalangin shared, “Maganda pa rin na kahit pandemic, kahit modular distance learning ay tuloy-tuloy lang din ang connection ng teacher sa estudyante at even sa parents.”
Gal Alburo, education program supervisor in Filipino at SDO-Marikina City, said that despite the isolation of students and the difficulty of learning technology, the situation offered learners better access to information.
Platform to bridge the gap
Globe launched its GoLearn platform to help the new generation of learning. It bridges the digital gaps in the education landscape in the country via access to connectivity solutions and learning platforms.
“This is the heart of GoLearn – Globe’s unified initiative to bring together products, programs, services, and solutions that will empower the whole learning ecosystem,” said KD Dizon, Globe’s head of small, medium business group.
With support of different groups inside Globe, possibilities are bound to happen.
For financial and educational assistance and training, Globe Enterprise provides access to “new normal” education with the Phinma Education data plan. Globe Small and Medium Enterprise helps enhance teaching and learning through E-Skwela webinars and online training programs. Globe Prepaid’s Virtual Hangouts and TM’s FunAral E-Campus offer interactive activities for students.
In terms of Internet connectivity, Globe At Home, through its app, provides subscribers with learning vouchers. Globe also ensures that learning resources are open for their customers in a safe online environment.
“With the launch of GoLearn, know that the entire One Globe group is with you to continue to provide affordable connectivity, accessible platforms, and safer learning environment for all,” enthused Globe president and chief executive Ernest Cu.
Joel Villanueva, chairman of the Philippine Senate Labor, Employment, and Human Resources Development and a digital learning advocate, said, “Importante ang mga ginagawa o gagawin pa nating mga interventions para hindi tuluyang bumaba ang kaalaman ng mga kabataan. Makakatulong dito ng malaki ang initiative ng Globe to ensure na tuloy-tuloy ang learning ng mga bata.”