REFLECTION IN THE WEBINAR ENTITLED “FROM COLLABORATING TO ACTIVE LEARNING TRANSFORMING BLENDED LEARN

Mindset Transformation and Clarity – these are concepts that we have to develop and apply if we want to ensure that the incorporation of technology in education and the implementation of blended learning in this time of pandemic will be effective and efficient. In my point of view, the discussion of the panelists in the webinar revolved around that insight. At the end of the day, implementing and adapting a new system will always not be easy. It requires radical transformation of mindset, attitude, and behavior among the stakeholders that will be directly and indirectly affected by the changes.

In the webinar, the speakers emphasized the adaptability of the Filipino educators and learners. It was very clear that we were not prepared to the immediate shift from traditional learning approach to a blended learning approach, especially the system in the Public School. Public School Teachers and students have been grappling to the changes that have been imposed to them. In spite of that, we have to give credit to the flexibility that they have shown throughout the implementation process of the blended learning. Teachers and students have been pouring out all of their efforts and actions to continue the education that they needed to experience.

According to the speakers, in this information and digital age, students must be self-directed learners and creative problem solvers. This is one of the few mindset changes that must occur, especially in our current situation. With all the learning resources available now because of Information and Communication Technology (ICT), we must teach our student not to be contented as consumers of knowledge from their teachers. We have to educate and train them with the skills that they needed in learning on their own and creating solutions to their problems that could lead them to become creators of knowledge and information, which could also be utilized by the other learners or even by their teachers.

Another set of insights that have been shared in the webinar was the Educational Transformation Framework of Microsoft Philippines, which included 4 pillars that must be adopted by an academic institution that would want to effectively and efficiently incorporate technology to education. According to the Representative of Microsoft Philippines, the 4 pillars of transformation and their explanations are as follows:

1. Leadership & Policy – Academic leaders and administrators must set a clear vision and guidelines to where they want to lead the teachers, students and the learning experience per se. This will be the end goal that they must aim to achieve as they journey through the incorporation of technology to education.

2. Modern Teaching & Learning – Academic institutions must ensure that as they implement technological education, learning experience must not be compromised. Providing quality education should still be the top priority of the academic leaders and administrators. They have to make sure that the knowledge and skills that they emphasize and impart to the students are relevant to the needs and demands of the industry and society, and most especially essential in solving societal problems and challenges.

3. Intelligent Environment – Schools must guarantee that they have the right system and place to protect the privacy and personal information of their students and teachers. Exposure to Information and Communication Technology would also lead to a much greater risk of cyber threats. Hence, academic leaders and administrators must prepare to safeguard and secure its community and institution from any possible cyber-attacks that might prevail in the future.

4. Technology Blueprint – Most importantly, academic community should ensure that they have all the needed resources that their students will need in order to effectively and efficiently take advantage all of the benefits of educational technology. At the end of the day, they are the very reasons for all the transformations and improvements that we have been trying to adapt and implement.

The most important learning that I have obtained from the webinar is the closing statement of the LENOVO Representative which is, “Technology is just a tool that teachers can use. At the end of the day, it is the heart of the teachers that will teach the students; that will educate the students. Technology is just the new chalk and eraser to the teachers.” I totally agree with him. Technology will never replace the empathy, care, and concern that a teacher can show to his/her students. A teacher will always persist and persevere in adapting to any change that may prevail in the learning environment because of his/her burden for the next generation. The heart of the teacher is still the main driver and initiator of the generating significant and enlightening experiences for the next generation, which may gradually lead to the social transformation that we want to observe and happen in our community and society.