by Ranjie Nocete | April 29, 2022
The Silliman Online University Learning (SOUL) Office conducted a seminar to prepare faculty members for the limited face-to-face (F2F) classes on identified courses and subjects set for May 11.
“The seminar that we conducted was basically a part of the many preparations we do for the limited F2F instruction. The SOUL office initiated that it’s really more of sharing of experiences,” said Dr. Dave Marcial, the SOUL Office director
He said that the university has plans to offer a “pool of online degree programs” for the university, and there are some colleges and departments that are considering offering other programs to cater to “online learning students”.
“So, that means that it will have another cohort of learners, another group of students, who will opt for the pool online delivery,” he said.
Dr. Marcial said that the seminar was more for “sharing experiences” among the faculty, administrators, and students, who presented such experiences of limited F2F classes as part of the pedagogical or teaching strategies in preparation of F2F classes for all degrees and programs.
He also presented three main strategies in limited F2F instruction, which included blended, hybrid, and hyflex learning.
Dr. Marcial further explained that blended learning is integrating online and F2F modalities into a cohesive and comprehensive learning experience.
In hybrid learning, a significant portion of the course takes place online instead, while hyflex learning prioritizes classes in person, synchronously, and asynchronously online to provide a flexible learning experience.
Dr. Marcial said that these strategies should continue to be integrated into the teaching and learning process even after the pandemic. He cited studies and publications that showed that technology could enhance teaching practices, learning, classroom management, and assessment, among others.
However, he emphasized that technology alone could not enhance everything.
”What is very important — [is that] it [technology] is just a support tool — pedagogy is still very important, pedagogy and content. Technology is a support tool in order to improve this pedagogy and delivery,
As the said modalities are new to the university, he ensured that they will be finding ways to improve the teaching and learning at the university.
The “Seminar on Limited Face-to-Face Instruction” took place on April 6 in the Dr. Mariano Lao ICI Laboratory and online through Zoom.
