PARTICIPATORY LEARNING TECHNIQUE IN A NEW NORMAL APPROACH

Prior to the new normal stage of education, when face to face instruction was still

the primary means of instructional conversation and interaction between the teachers

and the learners, cooperative or collaborative learning is highly integrated in the

teaching-learning process. Before the crisis, students can freely take active part and

have full engagement in the in the instructional delivery and process. Likewise, before

the new normal, students may source content knowledge not only from their teachers

but also from their fellow learners or peers. Students may engage well in peer-based

learning tasks and activities during the period when the education was not yet faced

with a massive crisis.

However, many educators highly believe that even the worst crisis could not

hinder the students from engaging into quality and meaningful peer-based learning

endeavor. Even in this new normal, collaborative learning and peer to peer mentoring

and knowledge sharing may still possibly exist, but in a more unique, new normal

approach. One of the time-tested and proven effective peer-based learning strategies is

the Participatory Learning Technique or PLT. Literally, participatory learning is a way of

motivating learners to participate in the interactive learning process and peer-based

learning. Under the PLT, students get to interact and learn from each other.

But in this new normal stage of education, it is a serious query on how the

Participatory Learning Technique (PLT) could still be made possible and accessible for

the learners. This technique is held highly relevant and applicable in subjects and

learning areas that evolve on practical skills or life skills. Definitely, despite of the crisis,

PLT is still possible through its application and integration in the various learning
delivery modalities that are supported and reinforced by the use of technological

platforms. These include participatory learning or peer-based learning via on-line

learning class, social media-based learning interaction, group chats for learning

purposes, instructional conversations with fellow learners via web chat, video calls and

SMS based interaction. Truly with the aid and support of technology, students may still

engage in meaningful peer to peer instructional interactions and collaborative learning

using the PLT.