IN VIEW of the upcoming belated opening of classes on August 24, teachers and students alike need to adapt the new normal in terms of education that was also badly affected by the pandemic, that gave birth to the no physical contact schooling.
Although there are schools that long before the global health problem erupted are already conducting online classes, this is now the new trend incapacitating our youth. We are now at the onset of computerized or digital learning.
Computer laptops and even desktops, tablets and similar gadgets are selling like hotcakes today. Luck is needed if we wanted to buy a unit from malls to be assured that there is one to buy. I have heard that the low or middle budget units which can still be affordable to many are already sold out and the high-end ones are left on display.
There are suspicions of hoarding or price mark-ups in the prices of these gadgets from some stores and suppliers who are taking advantage of the big demand for computers and tablets. The availability of these electronic equipment and their price surge are now the woes of parents.
Since this is the first time that we are experiencing this mode of education, even schools are in a quandary of this kind of schooling whether it will be successful or not. Nonetheless, we need to adapt to this kind
Not all families can afford to buy computers or tablets. This is a major issue since these are needed for online education. There seems no problem with the opulent but it is otherwise different for low or middle-class earners who have a number of children who have to go to school via these gadgets.
Another concern to this new mode of education is the internet connection. These electronic gadgets are useless in online schooling without the Wi-Fi or even wired internet. Transmission of data, photos and videos is through the internet alone.
Meanwhile, there are those who can afford to buy internet connections but the problem now lies with the speed. Even internet providers are said to be not that ready for the surge of internet users. Certain speeds are needed for the online interactions of teachers to their students in the new normal mode of education.
The transition from the usual classroom instruction to the online mode is something that we have to prepare. We may not expect it to be that successful but it is our only choice for our children to make them safe from the pandemic. We are indeed "choiceless" just to start or continue educating our young.
At this stage, schools are simulating the new mode of schooling and there are glitches in the process that are experienced. We do not need to waste time for our children to learn. However, we may find the lack of time to prepare for this.
***
For any comments, ideas, suggestions or opinions, text or call The Advocate at 09213636360 or send an email at dencious@gmail.com