The UP Visayas Ugnayan ng Pahinungod and Sadaan Elementary School in Midsayap, North Cotabato, held an online webinar on March 30, 2022, through a Zoom platform. Faculty members from the UPV Division of Professional Education served as resource persons. Prof. Lovella S. Divinagracia spoke on “Recalibrating Pedagogical Approaches in Preparation in Face-to-Face Instructions,” and Prof. Pepito R. Fernandez, Jr. spoke on “Interventions for Bridging Learning Gaps and Intensifying Learning Gains”.
Prof. Divinagracia emphasized that educators have a responsibility to educate learners. The duties include but are not limited to creating a safe environment and being professional not just in virtual space but also in digital space. According to her, the ideal framework is to hold true to the learners as human beings, not just competence, not just excellence. But they are learners who are excellent with a soul, competent with compassion. Always have a positive influence on the students. Prof. Divinagracia said that the old pedagogical approaches could be connected to the new pedagogical strategies that emerged under remote instruction through 1) shared experiences and establishing more connections; 2) integration must be aligned; and 3) inclusive participation of all stakeholders.
Prof. Fernandez pointed out the different barriers to teaching under the “new normal”. He highlighted what needs to be done to solve the learning problems or gaps to strengthen the children's learning opportunities to give them an edge, competition, and skills for the future job market. He said that the students need to be prepared for the rapidly changing needs of society and industry. He encouraged capacity-building like this webinar to equip the teachers with knowledge and skills and a diverse alternative platform for lesson delivery aligned to sustainable development goals.
Prof. Fernandez is the current Chair of the Division of Professional Education. He said that his office is passionate about voluntarism for education and is always available to help raise the standards in basic education, especially at the elementary level, because it is a crucial level.
Every Pahinungod volunteer who responds to the call for service also responds to the challenge, “Has UP lost its soul?” With their eagerness to selflessly serve as volunteers, indeed, truly UP has never lost its soul.
