EFFECTS OF ONLINE GAMES TO STUDENTS IN THE NEW NORMAL

CECILLE C. MANANSALA
SST-III
FRANCISCO G. NEPOMUCENO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

I was assigned to handle a specific section of 40 students for this school year 2020-2021.
Education in the new normal poses a significant challenge for teachers, students and even
parents. For a teacher like me handling grade 10 students, it is quite challenging since it is not
like the traditional face to face that you meet your advisees frequently. However, in this new set-
up, it is only through messenger or text that I come to meet my students. Every Thursday, parents
go to school to pass their children’s activity or answer sheets. The adviser is the one who
receives these answer sheets or activity sheets and bundles them to be given to the students’
respective teachers.
During retrieval days, I have the chance to talk to parents or guardians of my advisees.
Different stories and circumstances I learned why some students fail to comply to pass their
answer sheets or activity sheets. One of the main reasons is the addiction to online games. One
student has confessed to me that he spends most of the day playing mobile legends up to late at
night and then sleeps at daytime. Therefore, he has no time answering his modules or doing his
performance task. One time, I called a parent whose child no longer reports to school every
Thursday. To my surprise, this parent was shocked because she knows that her child is doing her
school work and uses her phone for online learning. The parent becomes so furious to her
daughter that she even tells her child to go back to the province and work instead of doing
nothing but playing mobile games.
These are some of the cases I had witnessed during this school year of the pandemic.
There are more cases of online addiction around the world. It is so alarming that parents and
teachers alike should work hand in hand to save these children. Most help I think, should be from
the parents since most of the time, the student spends his time at home. It is indeed a challenge
for us all in educating our students. We have a lot of competitions in maintaining their focus.
However, I believe that, parents and teachers should always be vigilant to this kind of students so
they can devise ways so as to prevent the addiction that may occur. In doing so, we can decrease
the chances of the students from dropping out or repeating the next school year.
 TEACHING ENGLISH IN THE NEW NORMAL
CECILLE C. MANANSALA
SST-III
FRANCISCO G. NEPOMUCENO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Teaching in the new normal in general has never been easy for teachers. Whether it is
online, modularized, radio-based, television-based, or blended, each has its own advantages and
disadvantages. Thus, teachers need to be resourceful in finding ways to meet the diverse needs of
students. As an English teacher, it is indeed very challenging to teach this subject in this new set-
up. Only few students attend online session. Their reason is that they do not have internet
connection at home. However, you can see frequently see them active online users any time of
the day. Yet, they reason out that they do not have internet connection. This is indeed very
challenging for teachers like me.
For modular instruction, students receive their modules and are instructed to answer the
directions indicated in the modules. Then on the retrieval day, they will pass their activity sheets.
The danger of this is that, we don’t know if they are the ones who accomplished their activity
sheets or performance tasks. The credibility of their answers is questionable indeed. However,
we still need to record what the literal scores are whether they are the students’ original answers
or from their relatives’ answers. The test of speaking skills is very difficult to determine since we
do not meet our students face to face. Their speaking skills are definitely be affected for this
reason. Those students who attend online classes are usually the ones whose speaking skills are
honed through recitation or reporting.
Writing is best tested since they pass their answer sheets or performance task once a
week. However, credibility issue surfaces since we do not know if the students themselves create
the writing activities. The same scenario comes for reading comprehension. I think it is the
younger ones who have been affected much when it comes to reading comprehension. During
face to face, teachers have the time to assist learners who have difficulty in reading. However, in
this new scenario, teachers cannot assist anymore since children are not allowed to go out.
With every that has been mentioned above, it is undeniable that teaching in the new
normal not just English has affected the teaching strategies or learning outcomes among learners.
That is why, since we cannot control what is happening, the best thing that we can do is to work
hand in hand towards the attainment of our profession’s vision and mission.
 BEING A TECHY TEACHER DURING PANDEMIC
CECILLE C. MANANSALA
SST-III
FRANCISCO G. NEPOMUCENO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Our school administers a blended learning. That is, we apply both online classes and
modular instruction. As such, the use of computer is mandatory. When technology is not yet
rampant in the field of education, teachers depend on the traditional way of teaching. The use of
chalk and board, manila paper, cartolinas and many other instructional materials that are
handmade. I remember in high school; we are asked to write everything on the board period per
period. When our teacher posts manila papers on the board, it is understood that we will write
everything that is written on the manila paper. Our hands are well-exercised during those times.
Nowadays, especially in private schools, teachers are well-equipped with technology in
teaching. Their classrooms have DLP or monitors and you just need your laptop or phone to
connect. You can have endless resources in the internet so you can have a vast number of
examples when you discuss a topic. In our school before the pandemic, a public institution, we
also have DLP or monitor however, it is not individual. For example, in the English Department,
if there are25 teachers, there are only 2 DLPs and there are cases when the other one is not
working well. Other teachers provide themselves their own DLP. They buy one from their own
pocket, through loan I guess, so they have their own DL. Others, just rely on the Socratic method
of teaching, that is, the question-and-answer method.
In this time of pandemic when teachers need to be knowledgeable in technology, it is a
must that teachers should be equipped with internet connection at home, a personal computer, or
a laptop. Having one, teachers should be skilled in manipulating a specific app or software, say
messenger, zoom or google meet. Teachers should be well-trained on using the Powerpoint,
Microsoft Word, and Excel. Even seasoned teachers are asked to be well-equipped with these
software. Zoom or google meet are very common nowadays for online learning. It is very
imperative that teachers are skilled in manipulating these applications. There are a vast of
commands or effects that one should be familiar with in using them.
In conclusion, it is no longer accepted that teachers are only confined with their
traditional way of teaching. Teachers now should be techy since everything is done with the use
of technology. It is not yet too late to study this software because technology is here with us and
the coming generation.
 ONLINE LEARNING
CECILLE C. MANANSALA
SST-III
FRANCISCO G. NEPOMUCENO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Education nowadays embraces a new way of educating learners through different online
platforms. Teaching online is far different from traditional way of teaching. Thus, teachers
should be equipped with different methodologies applicable for online learning to encourage
students to be more participative and focused on the subject matter. If teachers are well-versed
on technology, they can utilize different techniques in online teaching so students are involved in
the learning process.
Teachers should establish a connection among their students through frequent contact and
communication among their learners. It is also very important that teachers master their students
so that when some students no longer participate, they can contact or communicate to these
failing students. In doing so, teachers create a harmonic atmosphere where students feel that they
are valued and connected to their teachers. When it comes to teaching strategies or activities, we
are fortunate that are countless drills or tasks available in the internet. Teachers can choose
which one is suitable to their class depending on the kinds of learners they have. Teachers can
use both synchronous and asynchronous method that can foster learning. In doing so, teachers
make the lessons more exciting and interesting for students.
Lastly, teachers should provide feedback to their students so the latter are well-informed
of their status in class. Students are well-motivated when they receive feedback from their
teachers that they are doing fine as far as constructive criticism is concerned. However, if there
are pitfalls, teachers inform their students of the skills that the latter need to improve or enhance.
Online learning is the new trend now in education. Its usage is already inevitable. Almost
all over the world, virtual learning is adopted and accepted for a new way of learning. Hence,
teachers should always be updated on the different learning strategies that are best applicable for
their students. When teachers are strategic, they become more confident of their online teaching
skills and e-learning materials. Thus, a meaningful and collaborative environment is created for
both teachers and learners.
Teaching whether online or the traditional method has never been easy. It is coupled with
expertise and dedication. Dedicated teachers always survive the battle and learn from their
experiences to better teach the next generation.
 PARENTS’ INVOLVEMENT IN THEIR CHILDREN’S EDUCATION
DURING PANDEMIC
CECILLE C. MANANSALA
SST-III
FRANCISCO G. NEPOMUCENO MEMORIAL HIGH SCHOOL

Since the outbreak of the pandemic, the Department of Education has ordered the
cancellation of face-to-face classroom meeting among teachers and learners. Thus, learners are
required to stay at home with their parents or guardians. This paves way to different learning
modalities to continue education despite the threat of COVID-19. The Department of Education
has implemented different learning modalities such as online learning, modular instruction,
home-based learning, radio and television-based learning. Since students stay at home, they are
supposed to be guided or assisted by their parents in their education. Unlike in the traditional
way of learning where students go to school every day, this time students spend their time at
home studying.
It is expected that parents guide or support their children in their studying at home.
However, there are instances when parents cannot help their children academically due to the
fact that the parents themselves do not know how to read and write. In this case, parents should
be honest and seek help to teachers for further assistance. In other cases, it is the sisters or
brothers or relatives of the learners who provide help to the learners. However, it is ideally
advised that parents should be hands-on to students especially to young ones who have limited
knowledge of the subject matter. More specifically, young learners who do not know yet how to
read and write. When young learners are on online class, it is hoped that parents are beside them
guiding them so they can assist their children after their online class. When children are on
online class and no one assists them, the tendency is, they are less motivated and cannot grasp
easily the discussion. Thus, parents’ involvement or assistance is undeniably needed to foster
learning and motivation among learners.
When the expectation is not met, learners are most affected. In high school for instance,
when students are not given proper attention by parents, they do what they want to do for
pleasure. They spend most of their time playing online games. Parents think that they are using
their phones for online class. Less they know, that their children are already hooked with mobile
legends or any other online games. Thus, to prevent this from happening, it is asked and hoped
that parents monitor or guide their children in their education at home during this harsh and
challenging time of pandemic.