KRAMER, Kathleen Hazel T.

Educational institutions transitioned abruptly from face-to-face classes to remote

online learning as a solution to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the abrupt transition
has created and exacerbated existing inequities in the Philippine education system. It
has brought forth numerous learning obstacles for educators and students due to
inadequate online learning programs, lack of proper learning materials, digital literacy,
and psychological support. To mitigate these problems, I recommend that educational
institutions prioritize implementing inclusive policies and programs that focus on leaving
no student behind by creating an effective and compassionate online learning
environment.

The e-learning method seemed like the best solution for educational institutions
to continue. However, it had revealed the digital divide, low technology proficiency, and
an ineffective online curriculum. On top of that, online school has become a negative
learning environment. Seeing school no longer as a place for learning, but the sole
purpose of passing tests. Moreover, students are having incredible difficulty coping with
the mental turmoil from the pandemic while navigating school online. All in all, the
current state of the Philippines’ online education has capped students’ learning
potential, due to aspects that may have been overseen and neglected.

The first solution is to answer the lack of accessibility to digital resources

nationwide, mostly individuals in the marginalized sector. Digital resources include
tablets, laptops, mobile data, and strong wifi connections. That being said, there is a
need to provide the proper digital resources for teachers and students to operate as
these have become the necessary educational tools instead of the traditional pen and
paper. I suggest that educational institutions should create initiatives to allocate funding
to ensure that both teachers and students are given better digital devices and stronger
wifi connections. These have become the necessary tools to teach, facilitate and learn
without any interruptions.

Moving on, the second solution is to increase digital literacy and technology
proficiency among teachers and students. Technology proficiency implies that an
individual has the ability to integrate technology into their everyday life. From the abrupt
shift from in-person to online classes, it was revealed that there were individuals who
were not equipped with the required set of technological skills and knowledge. To
resolve this issue, educational institutions must provide exposure, clarification, and
guidance for educators and students through conducting digital seminars and courses.
Moreover, It will not only increase their efficiency in teaching and learning, but also
prepare them for competition in the technology-dominated world (Saad N. & Sankaran
S., 2020).

In the time of a pandemic, there is an intense amount of anxiety, fear, and stress
circulating compared to how life was before. On top of that, students may be facing
various issues at home due to underlying conditions; while coping with the stress from
online school. These are consequential to one’s mental health status and may worsen
over time if not given the psychological support needed. To address this, educational
institutions must implement a more compassionate and motivating learning
environment. There must be an established safe space for teachers and students to
freely express their emotions and feelings by providing the necessary resources to
address their mental health concerns. These necessary resources consist of hiring a
team of mental health professionals to ensure and monitor the mental and emotional
welfare of educators and students. Lastly, there is a need for more leniency with set
deadlines and lightening the academic workload. Doing so lessens the pressure and
stress on students to accomplish their academic requirements at their own pace.

Aiming to leave no student behind is a great start to giving students a better

education. These proposed solutions can help address disregarded issues in the
implementation of digital learning. As mentioned, increasing accessibility to digital
resources, improving digital literacy, and providing mental health support is crucial to
achieving an effective online learning environment. Most importantly, educational
institutions should not stop there. Constant reassessments and evaluations of digital
education are needed to provide teachers and students with a better online learning
experience.
References:

​Saad, N., & Sankaran, S. (2020). Technology Proficiency in Teaching and Facilitating.
Oxford Research Encyclopedia of Education.
https://doi.org/10.1093/acrefore/9780190264093.013.591