ESSAYS

Writing Activities

Angelyn E. Lingatong
MAED -English
English 207 -Literary Criticism
Prof. Cristopher Mendoza
Expository Essay:

Pandemic that Change History: A Walkthrough

Change is the only thing is constant in this world. It shapes and remold our history.

Like the changes that COVID 19 brings that raise not only our awareness to the importance

of health care and hygiene but change our way of life, economy, life perspective and future.

That leave many of us wandering was it the first time a pandemic changes society or

even in our world’s history? Before COVID-19 (SARs-Cov2) also known as the Novel

Coronavirus. There are a lot of pandemics in the past that have reshaped societies, science

and technology of the all the different parts of the world. And due to these empires have

fallen, government have cracked and a generation have been annihilated.

During the age of antiquity, a plague ravaged the Roman empire during the reign of

Marcus Aurelius during between 165 to 180 A.D. known as measles and small pox the

estimated death toll is around five million. This disease was said to be caught by armies and

tradesman returning from Asia that killed 2,000 people daily. According one ancient

chronicler in Rome that the ancient world never recovered by the blow inflicted upon it by

the plague. This disease was known to history as Antonine Plague named after the last

emperor of Rome.

Three centuries after these events, a mysterious pestilence ravages the Byzantine

empire, the bubonic plague. According to Procopius one of the notable historians during

that time, that the whole human race was being annihilated. It came from the flea infested

rats bought by the trades in their ships. Another wave of bubonic plague that killed 72-200

million deaths known as the Black Death during the Middle Ages alone. It signifies the end of

the era and mark the start of Modernization of Europe, the Age of Enlightenment. This swift

spread of the disease continues to astonish historians and epidemiologist. The central

explanation lies within characteristic features of medieval society in a dynamic phase of

modernization heralding the transformation from a medieval to early modern European

society because of this it is called as the “golden age of bacteria.”

At the end of medieval era signals the start for the search for new lands and

resources called it the Age of Exploration. Explorers arrived to the New World bearing more

than just turnips and grapes. They also bought small pox, measles and other viruses for

which the New World inhabitants had no immunity. It almost wiped out 80-90 percent of

Native Americas population.

In 16165, another tragedy looms to the cities of Europe, especially the city of

London. A great plague arrived in the city attracted by city streets filled with rubbish and

waste, especially in the poorest areas. While doctors , lawyers and royalty fled town, the

poor were ravaged by the disease. Watchmen of the city, locked and kept guard our infected

houses, parish officials provided food. Searchers looked for dead bodies and took them at

night to plague pits for burials. There were no treatments according to the National Archives

in England.

To decades have passed, the population was had not yet totally recovered from the

last plague. Another disease which few societies have been spared by this highly infectious

disease, Cholera. The epidemic that swept London in 1854 spawned the sort of

epidemiological investigation that taken placed in disease outbreak today. Jon Snow, an

English physician, who single -handedly took on the bacteria through carefully mapping the

outbreak, he finds that everyone affected had a single connection in common. They all

retrieved water from the local water pump. To humor the doctor the locals in the area

removed the pump-handle and the people stopped getting sick.

Another pandemic is the 1918 Flu that killed 50 million of the population around the

world caused by the first World War. Originated in Spain the disease was also called the

Spanish flu or Influenza. Isolation and quarantine were used to slow down transmission.
Before the COVID-19 outbreak, a flu that affect live stocks, especially the hog raisers and

created a scare to pork consumers, year 2019 last year.

Last December 2019, the whole world was baffled by the Wuhan, outbreak that

allegedly acquired by eating exotic food like bats. China tried to suppress the information

until they can no longer hide the truth about the outbreak. Many speculated that this virus is

the same type of virus like the 1918 Spanish flu since it shows the same signs and symptoms

like the influenza but slightly different. it has a longer incubation period with no symptoms

at all until the patient is already in a grave condition or has a pre-existing condition such as

diabetes, lung problems and the likes. Old and young people are highly at risk for virus

contagion. Up until now the government of different countries try their best in mitigating

and containing the virus by putting up health care measures in their respective country.

Scientist and researchers are trying their best to develop a vaccine that would help

immunize the people to be further infected. As for the after effects of this virus only time

will tell.

Written by :

Angelyn E. Lingatong

MAED -English

English 207 -Literary Criticism

Prof. Cristopher Mendoza

Persuasive Essay:

Life in the Midst of COVID – 19: Are We Ready for the New Normal?

Many people wonder what will happen to their lives after the enhanced community

quarantine. For the last two months, many wondered how they will go back to their daily

lives? their jobs? their bustling life in the city? Their relationships? their routines? How

about the get togethers that we usually share to family and friends to celebrate a birthday,

an anniversary or a wedding? Are we ready for this new pace of life? Can we handle the new

normal?

We Filipinos are known for our unfailing resiliency that was proved many times over.

Despite of heavy losses during floods, typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and even

man-made disasters. The Filipino people time and time again bounce back and never give

up. Often, we are called insane how could we laugh and smile at the midst of the tragedy

and show compassion and empathy to others. Helping out despite of the lack of resources,

we hardly turn our backs to people who need help and even sacrifice for his love for his

family, country and the God Almighty.

Are we ready for the new normal? Yes, we are ready for this kind of new life. Even

during the first time our government announces a Luzon wide lockdown. Our government

official closely monitor what is happening in Wuhan, China. It enabled us to prepare some

counter measures to suppress the virus by declaring an enhanced community quarantine.

Putting up sanitary measures like putting sanitizers or alcohol and temperature checking on

populated areas even after our government finances. Even though the lockdown poses a lot

of problems economically, we still adhere for governmental steps in saving us for this

unseen enemy.
 Another example is the preparation for economic evolution. Modernization from

school to offices or workplace. We call it “Work from Home” style, doing business online,

having meeting through video conferencing using application for online learning.

Working in flexible schedules to adhere social distancing measures wearing

protective equipments and sanitation. Wearing of face mask whenever we are going out

have become a natural habit since our government have announced the mandatory wearing

of face mask.

Another thing is the Balik Probinsya bill that would encourage migrant Filipinos to go

back to the province to live and work there. It is to decongest Manila’s population and form

a good urban planning measures for the local government unit. The National government

want to encourage and to push investors to put up their business to the provinces so that

they can employ the people who would encourage the people to stay and work near their

residence of family.

When it comes to educational system, both public and private schools prepare and

put up some measure to teach students without much face to face contact. Using some

shifting schedules to lessen the number of students inside the classroom. Using online

education application to mitigate the transmission of virus inside the school premises.

The Department of Education (DepEd) are devising plans for self -paced learning for

independent studies and using online interaction thru online application using FB live, zoom

or a pre-recorded video in YouTube channel. Making educational videos, PowerPoint

presentations and online activities using downloadable pdf or word files or google drive to

answer home based activities.

As for transportation many transport groups are preparing for social distancing

measures the long lines and overcrowded vehicles will be no longer a scene on the streets.
Putting up division or partition inside the vehicles and line markers for passengers to step on

to establish social distancing.

While for our health service sector, seeks improvements of facilities and research for

medicine and vaccine for this pandemic and other cases of outbreak in the near future.

Promoting good healthy habits to the citizen of this country. Educating the people to take

extra care to their health, both mental and physical. Even I, have realized that even when

you earn a lot of money or have a successful career will be nothing if your health fails.

All of these things that I mention is just some of the few points that lead me to

believe that the Philippines is ready for this new normal. As for the other aspects I didn’t

point out it remains to be seen since we do not know what will the future brings. So let us

have a little faith in ourselves and our government, who is doing the best that they can to

help up go through this ordeal. Let us see this as an opportunity to open our eyes to

different perspective that strength and wealth of this country lies on the relentless people

who always fight their way to overcome all this. And for the good of many let us do our best

to adopt to this new normal. Are you ready? Yes, we are ready!

Written by :

Angelyn E. Lingatong

MAED -English

English 207 -Literary Criticism

Prof. Cristopher Mendoza

Article for analytical essay:

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed

education forever. This is how 

With schools shut across the world, millions of children have had to adapt to new
types of learning.
Image: REUTERS/Gonzalo Fuentes

29 Apr 2020

1. Cathy Li Head of Media, Entertainment and Information Industries, World

Economic Forum
2. Farah Lalani Community Curator, Media, Entertainment and Information
Industries, World Economic Forum

The World Economic Forum COVID Action Platform

 The COVID-19 has resulted in schools shut all across the world. Globally,
over 1.2 billion children are out of the classroom.
 As a result, education has changed dramatically, with the distinctive rise of e-
learning, whereby teaching is undertaken remotely and on digital platforms.
 Research suggests that online learning has been shown to increase retention of
information, and take less time, meaning the changes coronavirus have caused
might be here to stay.

While countries are at different points in their COVID-19 infection rates, worldwide
there are currently more than 1.2 billion children in 186 countries affected by school
closures due to the pandemic. In Denmark, children up to the age of 11 are returning
to nurseries and schools after initially closing on 12 March, but in South Korea
students are responding to roll calls from their teachers online.
With this sudden shift away from the classroom in many parts of the globe, some are
wondering whether the adoption of online learning will continue to persist post-
pandemic, and how such a shift would impact the worldwide education market.

Even before COVID-19, there was already high growth and adoption in education
technology, with global edtech investments reaching US$18.66 billion in 2019 and
the overall market for online education projected to reach $350 Billion by 2025.
Whether it is language apps, virtual tutoring, video conferencing tools, or online
learning software, there has been a significant surge in usage since COVID-19.

How is the education sector responding to COVID-19?

In response to significant demand, many online learning platforms are offering free
access to their services, including platforms like BYJU’S, a Bangalore-based
educational technology and online tutoring firm founded in 2011, which is now the
world’s most highly valued edtech company. Since announcing free live classes on its
Think and Learn app, BYJU’s has seen a 200% increase in the number of new
students using its product, according to Mrinal Mohit, the company's Chief Operating
Officer.

Tencent classroom, meanwhile, has been used extensively since mid-February after
the Chinese government instructed a quarter of a billion full-time students to resume
their studies through online platforms. This resulted in the largest “online movement”
in the history of education with approximately 730,000, or 81% of K-12 students,
attending classes via the Tencent K-12 Online School in Wuhan.

Other companies are bolstering capabilities to provide a one-stop shop for teachers
and students. For example, Lark, a Singapore-based collaboration suite initially
developed by ByteDance as an internal tool to meet its own exponential growth,
began offering teachers and students unlimited video conferencing time, auto-
translation capabilities, real-time co-editing of project work, and smart calendar
scheduling, amongst other features. To do so quickly and in a time of crisis, Lark
ramped up its global server infrastructure and engineering capabilities to ensure
reliable connectivity.

Alibaba’s distance learning solution, DingTalk, had to prepare for a similar influx:
“To support large-scale remote work, the platform tapped Alibaba Cloud to deploy
more than 100,000 new cloud servers in just two hours last month – setting a new
record for rapid capacity expansion,” according to DingTalk CEO, Chen Hang.

Some school districts are forming unique partnerships, like the one between The Los
Angeles Unified School District and PBS SoCal/KCET to offer local educational
broadcasts, with separate channels focused on different ages, and a range of digital
options. Media organizations such as the BBC are also powering virtual learning;
Bitesize Daily, launched on 20 April, is offering 14 weeks of curriculum-based
learning for kids across the UK with celebrities like Manchester City footballer Sergio
Aguero teaching some of the content.

What does this mean for the future of learning?

While some believe that the unplanned and rapid move to online learning – with no
training, insufficient bandwidth, and little preparation – will result in a poor user
experience that is unconducive to sustained growth, others believe that a new hybrid
model of education will emerge, with significant benefits. “I believe that the
integration of information technology in education will be further accelerated and that
online education will eventually become an integral component of school education,“
says Wang Tao, Vice President of Tencent Cloud and Vice President of Tencent
Education.

There have already been successful transitions amongst many universities. For
example, Zhejiang University managed to get more than 5,000 courses online just two
weeks into the transition using “DingTalk ZJU”. The Imperial College London started
offering a course on the science of coronavirus, which is now the most enrolled class
launched in 2020 on Coursera.

Many are already touting the benefits: Dr Amjad, a Professor at The University of
Jordan who has been using Lark to teach his students says, “It has changed the way of
teaching. It enables me to reach out to my students more efficiently and effectively
through chat groups, video meetings, voting and also document sharing, especially
during this pandemic. My students also find it is easier to communicate on Lark. I will
stick to Lark even after coronavirus, I believe traditional offline learning and e-
learning can go hand by hand."

The challenges of online learning

There are, however, challenges to overcome. Some students without reliable internet
access and/or technology struggle to participate in digital learning; this gap is seen
across countries and between income brackets within countries. For example, whilst
95% of students in Switzerland, Norway, and Austria have a computer to use for their
schoolwork, only 34% in Indonesia do, according to OECD data.

In the US, there is a significant gap between those from privileged and disadvantaged
backgrounds: whilst virtually all 15-year-olds from a privileged background said they
had a computer to work on, nearly 25% of those from disadvantaged backgrounds did
not. While some schools and governments have been providing digital equipment to
students in need, such as in New South Wales, Australia, many are still concerned that
the pandemic will widenthe digital divide.

Is learning online as effective?

For those who do have access to the right technology, there is evidence that learning
online can be more effective in a number of ways. Some research shows that on
average, students retain 25-60% more material when learning online compared to only
8-10% in a classroom. This is mostly due to the students being able to learn faster
online; e-learning requires 40-60% less time to learn than in a traditional classroom
setting because students can learn at their own pace, going back and re-reading,
skipping, or accelerating through concepts as they choose.

Nevertheless, the effectiveness of online learning varies amongst age groups. The
general consensus on children, especially younger ones, is that a structured
environment is required, because kids are more easily distracted. To get the full
benefit of online learning, there needs to be a concerted effort to provide this structure
and go beyond replicating a physical class/lecture through video capabilities, instead,
using a range of collaboration tools and engagement methods that promote “inclusion,
personalization and intelligence”, according to Dowson Tong, Senior Executive Vice
President of Tencent and President of its Cloud and Smart Industries Group.

Since studies have shown that children extensively use their senses to learn, making
learning fun and effective through use of technology is crucial, according to BYJU's
Mrinal Mohit. “Over a period, we have observed that clever integration of games has
demonstrated higher engagement and increased motivation towards learning
especially among younger students, making them truly fall in love with learning”, he
says.

A changing education imperative

It is clear that this pandemic has utterly disrupted an education system that many
assert was already losing its relevance. In his book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century,
scholar Yuval Noah Harari outlines how schools continue to focus on traditional
academic skills and rote learning, rather than on skills such as critical thinking and
adaptability, which will be more important for success in the future. Could the move
to online learning be the catalyst to create a new, more effective method of educating
students? While some worry that the hasty nature of the transition online may have
hindered this goal, others plan to make e-learning part of their ‘new normal’ after
experiencing the benefits first-hand.

The importance of disseminating knowledge is highlighted through COVID-19

Major world events are often an inflection point for rapid innovation – a clear
example is the rise of e-commerce post-SARS. While we have yet to see whether this
will apply to e-learning post-COVID-19, it is one of the few sectors where investment
has not dried up. What has been made clear through this pandemic is the importance
of disseminating knowledge across borders, companies, and all parts of society. If
online learning technology can play a role here, it is incumbent upon all of us to
explore its full potential.

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License and Republishing

World Economic Forum articles may be republished in accordance with our Terms of
Use.

Written by

Cathy Li, Head of Media, Entertainment and Information Industries, World Economic
Forum
Farah Lalani, Community Curator, Media, Entertainment and Information Industries,
World Economic Forum

The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone and not the World
Economic Forum.

Analytical Essay:

How COVID-!9 change the Education system of the World

The article started with a how lead. Stating how COVID -19 change the educational

system of learning. Enumerating a couple of facts written inside the article. This issue is one

of the major concerns of the educators like me and the title really caught my attention.

True enough that many schools shut not only across the country but all over the

world that over 1.2 billion children globally are out of the classroom. Well educators all over

the globe is much concern about this especially for the private operating school that are not

directly subsidize by the government.

Since education would change drastically and dramatically from traditional teaching

to digital or online learning is such a big concern for private school sector since they are

going to shoulder the expenses for the changes they would create or do in order to cater

quality education needed for this special circumstance. Meaning less to face to face

interaction, shifting schedules are implemented, distance learning, different modes of

teaching to perform and of course teachers should have proper trainings to help them adjust

for this new culture of learning.

There is a significant surge of online learning software using educational apps or

websites to browse like google classrooms, language apps, virtual tutoring, video

conferencing tools and other online learning. It helps boost the capability of learning

anywhere and everywhere but the main problem to it is its implementation and provisions.
We also have to familiarize ourselves with the application first to make sure that the app is

safe, secure and user friendly before letting the students use it. We have to make sure that

the personal information of our students is kept confidential.

Some countries will experience back logs due to little preparation for this hybrid

educational model integrating information technology for some not so developed countries.

While we are so beguiled for the positive response for online learning but some it’s a big

question, especially for those people who are below poverty line. Those who put their hope

on getting free education to elevate their economic status. Those who are unable to

compete technologically speaking and unable to go along with the new normal system of

learning.

Since online learning would become a permanent and integral part of life. Most of

the EdTech companies offers free access to their services, other companies are bolstering

capabilities to provide a one stop shop for teachers and students who are in need of

resources for distance or online learning.

Providing them unlimited video conferencing time, auto-translation capabilities, real

time co -editing of project work and other features needed to maximize learning and

academic freedom in terms of instructions. As I have been reiterating, we need to retool

teachers and school administrators and parents to ready and empower them for this new

type of learning environment.

Integration of games to learning or answering activities have let the students

demonstrate higher engagement and increases motivation towards learning especially

among younger students but for pre-elementary and primary students they still have to do a

regular classroom session to provide learning. Since they have to be highly monitored on the

program when it comes to learning, actual psychomotor activities, social skills and various

interaction are needed to build their cognitive development.

 Since E-learning would become a part of our new normal life , let us explore and use

it to its full potential. Let us explore new methods of learning capabilities and discover new

ways to help enhance and improve our education system. At the midst of this trying times

let us always do the best that we can and be thankful to the intelligence that God has

granted us to overcome this pandemic. Help our learners to bounce back to face this

uncertain future with confidence.

Written by :

Angelyn E. Lingatong

MAED -English

English 207 -Literary Criticism

Prof. Cristopher Mendoza

Argumentative Essay:

COVID-19: A Man-Made Virus or Not?

In the past few weeks, news about the Wuhan virus or the Novel corona virus is a

laboratory spliced virus or genetically engineered. But it is too early to speculate until it is

proven by scientist and medical researchers. Since it is a newly discovered virus that

resembles the Spanish flu of 1918. However , a doctor in China whistle blow to the world

about this new virus called Novel corona virus (COVID -19) and try to warn the people about

it but mysteriously the information was suppresses by the communist government of China

and the last thing that happen is the doctor who told the world about the virus died due to

the exposure of the disease he had discovered.

The people speculate that the virus started to the Wuhan market where they sell

exotic animals for food on the other hand another a documentary journalist made a

research who investigate the animal to human transmission and went to the Wuhan market

to confirm the speculation but he was surprised to find out that there was no bats in the said

traditional market . This evidence leads the majority of people to think that the virus is a

product of scientific experiment for biological warfare.

Biological weapons ‘research is not a surprised for first world countries especially

countries under communist rule and government who are competing for military supremacy

and to mitigate the threat of terrorism.

China has been making research about bacteria splicing for military biological

weapons in the midst of constant threat from other super power countries and made sure

that they can fight back just in case they had to engage in warfare. However according to a

virologist, viruses and bacteria can mutate for a period of time that make the virus potent

depend on the climate changes in the environment. This suggest that this phenomenon is

not a surprise for people who studies virology and epidemiology.

 However, Remdesivir, a so-called miracle drug that was newly developed even

before COVID -19 pandemic outbreak was discovered. This drug according to Gilead , a

company who do research for medicines and other factor related to the study of all kind of

diseases and how to stop it from spreading more. According to some investigation that it

seems like the drug was developed for profiteering in the international market but further

evidence is needed on this matter. It might just be coincidental since it is put under clinical

trial testing by experts to help find medicine to save the lives of those who are infected by

the virus.

Remdisivir is an investigational nucleotide analog with broad spectrum anti-viral

activity thus, it is not yet approved anywhere globally for any use. It has demonstrated in

vitro activity in animal models against the viral pathogens, MERS and SARS, which are also

coronaviruses and is structurally similar to COVID-19. The limited preclinical data on

remdesivir in MERS and SARS indicate that the drug may have potential activity against

COVID -19.

Another fact that proved that COVID- 19 is a laboratory virus due to the allegations

of mysterious disappearances of research and doctors who whistle blow about the biological

weapons research. On the other hand lack of substantial evidence to prove this had happen

have made me think that it merely a creative speculation done to promote a propaganda

against the Chinese government since it is under scrutiny of the world.

Although it is clear that the virus was not created in the lab since there have been

ongoing concerns it may have escaped a research facility, with most of the speculation

understandably focused on the Wuhan Institute of Virology. However, it remains just a

speculation.

Edward Homes a virologist, the COVID – 19 level of genome sequence divergence

between SARSCOV-2 and RATG 13 is equivalent to an average of 50 years or at least 20 years

of evolutional change. It is important to note that viruses can mutate naturally anywhere.

Unfortunately, it’s difficult to determine where and how the new coronavirus acquired its

mutation.

In conclusion to these speculations and issues this COVID- 19 have. We need to help

each other out and not to blame and pointing fingers at each other. The victory of one is a

victory for all to defeat the pandemic. Researches and scientific guesses might find, if not the

solution but to save more lives. Let us accept that these circumstances can bring out the

best of us or the worst of us. Let us put our differences aside since all of us are all on the

same side. So, let us stick together to overcome this pandemic. Let us do our best and God

will do the rest.

Written by :

Angelyn E. Lingatong

MAED -English

English 207 -Literary Criticism

Prof. Cristopher Mendoza