Blended learning more advantageous for students, says DepEd-7

Salustiano T. Jimenez, the regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region VII, speaks at a media conference on Thursday, December 21, about blended learning for students. | CDN Photo/ Pia Piquero

CEBU CITY, Philippines – Blended learning in 2023 was affirmed to be ‘more advantageous and beneficial’ for the students’ learning.

This was according to the assessment conducted by the regional director of the Department of Education (DepEd) Region VII.

Learning became more convenient, especially at home, particularly during calamities that might hinder students from attending school, said Salustiano T. Jimenez, DepEd-7 Regional Director, in a media conference on Thursday, December 21.

READ: DepEd eyes blended learning as solution to classroom lack

“Mas advantage siya, mas daghan nakat-unan ang [mga] bata if we will use blended [learning]. Before wala pa ta mo implement ani, if naay mga katalagman, calamities, ang [mga] bata toa sa ilang balay, walay buhaton,” said Jimenez.

Blended learning, as defined by Jimenez, is the combination of various teaching modalities, with face-to-face interaction being the default.

Blended learning incorporates online or modular approaches only during disruptions such as typhoons or teachers’ mandatory seminars to ensure that students have continuous access to their lessons.

“Time consuming [if] ang tanang activities will be done in school, but if other activities will be brought to their respective homes nya adto sa ilang balay mag answer na daan, magbasa daan, inag adto nila sa school, ma follow-up sa teacher, ma reinforce pa ilang nakat-unan sa balay,” Jimenez said.

Jimenez added that it is better to use blended learning than to stick to the old practice of utilizing weekends to make up for missed school days.

READ: Schools urged: Go back to blended learning as El Niño looms

“Sauna mag ilis ug Sabado, ug naay mga calamities mag ilis ug Sabado, naay mutunga out of 50, naay lima kabuok so wala ra gihapon, ang teacher pa nakuan [sayang] pa iyang time para muadto ra Sabado, unya ang mutungha dili ra kaabot katunga,” he stressed.

Undeniably, the pandemic has brought about specific alterations in the education system; nevertheless, Jimenez still believes that he can bridge the gap by continuing blended learning.

“Between zero or something, I will prefer something,” Jimenez said.

Meanwhile, looking ahead to 2024, the DepEd-7 regional director discussed plans to expand learning programs, particularly focusing on reading comprehension.

READ: Many Grade 3 students in Central Visayas struggle with reading – DepEd

He revealed partnerships in reading programs and initiatives like the National Learning Camp, emphasizing the importance of reading, mathematics, and science in students’ development.

Jimenez explained the approach to reading comprehension, stating that each school has dedicated reading programs.

Assessments are conducted to gauge students’ reading abilities, enabling educators to tailor strategies based on individual needs.

“Ang atong giinstruct nga atong superintendents, they have to assess first the reading ability of the learners. From there, that’s the time we can do something to strategize. For example, ang kinder mao pani ang level, sa grade 1 supposedly, and then if kulang pa siya, then adto nato i-focus atong strategy,” Jimenez said.

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