IFSU braces for ‘new normal’ with high-tech online educational tools

EDUCATION TRENDS

Faith B. Napudo

LAMUT, Ifugao – The Ifugao State University has started programs to address the “new normal” in education.

A “massive online faculty and students’ training –workshop on IFSU LMS using Moodle App" was conducted  among  faculty members through google meet and zoom on June 2-19 in six IFSU campuses in the province.

The capacity-building activity was set to equip faculty before opening of classes for this school year on skills, knowledge, and proper behavior on utilization of IFSU learning management system (LMS) using Moodle App as platform for the university’s flexible learning mode.

IFSU was one of three universities recognized for its distance education initiatives during the Conference on Internationalization of Philippines Tertiary Education in Vigan City, Ilocos Sur in 2019.

Through the assistance of the University of the Philippines - Open University (UPOU), IFSU was able to establish an LMS with its own hosting and website.

The LMS had been used in its blended-learning that requires technology-enhanced education in graduate programs since 2015.

Some faculty members (undergraduate studies) were able to complete f trainings with emphasis on the use of Information Communication Technology (ICT) prior the pandemic.

All these efforts in delivering quality education through digital means are also in line with IFSU’s goal of evolving with the times through Education 4.0.

This is a desired approach of learning that aligns itself with the emerging fourth industrial revolution.

“This pandemic shall not stop IFSU in delivering its mandate. May we see the challenges brought by these challenging times as opportunities to improve ourselves as learning facilitators. We welcome flexible learning in our bid to bring quality and accessible education to our students,” said Dr. Eva Marie Codamon-Dugyon, IFSU president.

The Commission on Higher Education (CHED) earlier appealed to tertiary education institutions to adopt flexible learning to maximize learning of students amid the Covid-19 pandemic.

Flexible learning, according to CHED chairperson Prospero De Vera, is not limited to online classes or activities but includes approaches that are applicable and responsive to learners’ circumstances.

Facilitated by the College of Open Distance Education and Transnational Education (CODETE) under the leadership of Dr. Jeng Jeng M. Bolintao who is also officer-in-charge of Learning Management System (LMS) in the university.

The training-workshop acquainted faculty on the university’s LMS.

The capacity-building activity showed faculty and students features of the system.

They were taught skills and knowledge in accessing the LMS, uploading files or learning packages, embedding links (short videos, reading assignments, creating forum discussions, quizzes, assignments, enrolling students and monitoring, grading and downloading students’ submissions.

Moreover, participants were taught how to present output, prepare and produce LMS brochures for teachers and students, and produce a video-presentation on LMS.

Arri Steven Dulnuan, LMS administrator, facilitates management of databases across campus.

The University also designated LMS chairperson per campus who shall take the responsibilities in uploading all learning modules/packets in the system.

Virtual learning hub

Following the training from June 2 - 19, the IFSU is set to establish a Virtual Learning Hub for online (wire) and offline (non-wired) delivery of instruction.

The virtual learning center shall serve as a video-recording center of lecture or laboratory/skills activities for students.

This will serve as venue for online classes and for teachers to conduct teleconferences with students and online defense of theses and dissertations.

“We cater to various students locally and internationally. The hub will provide a common and comfortable place to conduct online learning, with its apparatus and interactive ambience,” said Dr. Bolintao, who is also Dean of the College of Open Distance Education and Transnational Education (CODETE) in the University.

E-reading materials

for blended learning

The IFSU’s Department of Library Services (DLS) is now acquiring at least 300 electronic knowledge resources.

With a proposed amount of P2,000,000, the learning materials in electronic copies will be made available online to IFSU employees and students.

This, after, the government temporarily suspended face-to-face learning and travel through public transportation.

State universities and colleges (SUCs) like IFSU have to mainstream their blended learning program to provide quality education amid the pandemic.

“The university is doing its best to evolve and adapt to the needs of the times. Providing relevant learning e-resources for the faculty and students to easily access virtually is one of IFSU’s efforts in its blended learning program and CHED’s mandate for flexible learning,” said Dr. Codamon-Dugyon.

Based on project proposal, libraries are among institutions that will be greatly affected by the post-pandemic situation. Hence, the move of the university to subscribe to electronic resources that are available in web-enabled medium to be relevant and to survive.

“We saw a sudden shift from print materials to online databases as a means to supplement the classroom or online classes. Our library needs to have good databases/ e-resources for effective service,” said Dr. Liza M. Tamargo, DLS director.

The DLS shall procure multi-disciplinary e-books on business, education, social sciences, criminology, technical and vocational, engineering, science and technology, nursing, and allied health and agriculture.

Users will be able to avail of these in any appropriate device connected to the internet by accessing the links and logging in with their passwords to be provided by the DLS.

“With the e-learning resources, username and passwords will be the new library card for those who will opt to research online. Our libraries across campuses will be more focused on improving the bandwidth, connectivity, and other facilities to improve and support online services,” added Tamargo.

She said the university’s physical libraries will always be open to faculty and students following standard health protocols such as physical distancing and use of facemasks.

Meanwhile, to supplement immediate need of electronic sources, the DLS downloaded around 3,000 e-books on various topics from Open Access.

Faculty members have benefitted from these e-sources during this pandemic.