QUEZON CITY, July 3 (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) clarifies blended and distance learning modality to be implemented this school year, as the agency prepares for a “new method of transmitting learning.”

In view of the recent information circulating online, DepEd is quick to clarify that online is not the only delivery modality of teaching and learning the department is devising.

“Ang pag-aaral ngayong school year ay HINDI LAMANG gagawin online. Inihanda ng DepEd ang iba’t ibang paraan ng pag-aaral na aakma sa lahat ng uri ng pamumuhay sa komunidad. Ang self-learning modules (SLM) ay ang pangunahing gagamitin sa pagtuturo,” DepEd statement said.

Although some parents have been worried for the continued education of their children amid pandemic, DepEd assured that different Education Learning Continuity Plan will be implemented depending on learners’ access to technology and the situation they are in.

“Some of the lessons will be transmitted through different platforms and some activities will be done at home,” Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones said in a virtual press briefing.

To avoid face-to-face interactions, DepEd offers blended and distance learning modalities by using printed or digital modules, online learning resources, and radio and TV-based instructions.

Distance learning refers to a learning delivery modality where learning takes place between the teacher and the learners who are geographically remote from each other during instruction.

It has three learning modalities: (1) modular distance learning uses self-learning modules that are printed or in digital format; (2) online distance learning uses the Internet in downloading learning materials and uploading homeworks; and (3) Radio/TV based instructions to those who have no Internet connectivity.

Meanwhile, blended learning refers to a mix of online distance learning, modular distance learning, and TV/Radio-based Instruction.

Homeschooling option is learning in a home-based environment to be facilitated by qualified parents, guardians or tutors who have undergone relevant training.

“We need to prepare not only the schools, learners, administrators, and teaching and non-teaching personnel, but also the parents and guardians of the learners,” Briones said.

These alternative learning methods depend “very heavily on parents and community support” to make its Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) successful.

“Education becomes more and more a shared activity, and we ask the parents and the community and experts and to join us on our effort,” Briones said. (MTQ/PIA-IDPD)