Perspective To Possible Blended Learning VS.

Modular Learning

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic affects the delivery of lessons to learners. It paves the
way to have new approaches in teaching and learning. The Department of Education (DepEd) provides
various distance learning modalities that are suited to the location of the learners. Parents are the ones
who decide the applicable learning modality for their children.

A survey conducted by DepEd revealed that most of the parents prefer to have a modular
distance learning modality. Learning modules are provided by the schools for the learners. However,
some of the parents prefer to combine the learning modules with the online explanation of the teachers
regarding the content of the lessons. This is classified under blended learning or the combination of
online and modular learning modalities. In this condition, teachers meet their learners at least once a
week using Google Meet. Their primary task is to explain the content of their lessons and to address the
queries of the learners. Likewise, teachers are going to distribute and retrieve copies of the learning
modules to/from the learners. Modular Distance Learning features individualized instruction that allows
learners to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format/electronic copy, whichever applies
to the learner. Learners under Modular Distance Learning can also use other resources such as Learner’s
Materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study guides, and other study materials. Parents are encountering
problems with the implementation of the blended learning modality. First and foremost, the distribution
and retrieval of learning modules are not feasible for the succeeding weeks. There are times that the
school failed to print the learning modules for the learners. This results in the extension of the working
time for the previously printed learning modules. Likewise, the content of the learning modules has
errors. Activities are not fit to the levels of the learners. This is the reason why learners struggle with
answering their learning modules. Moreover, there are identified families who find difficulty in
supporting the studies of their children. Parents have no capabilities to act as learning facilitators for
their children.

Overall, despite some challenges, students could adapt to the new learning methods of distance
learning. This sudden closure of the university and schools globally due to the COVID-19 pandemic
presents an enormous opportunity for cultural transformation in the education system. As more “tech-
savvy” generations enroll in higher education, dental educators need to incorporate blended learning in
the curriculum, to design the best features of classroom and distance learning to improve the overall
learning environment.

References:

Canonizado, 2021. Implementation Of Blended Learning. Retrieved from:

https://elearningindustry.com/implementation-of-blended-learning

Malaya, (nd). Modular Distance Learning: Here’s what you need to know. Retrieved from:
https://www.whatalife.ph/modular-distance-learning-heres-what-you-need-to-know/amp/