Art by: Annalis Pertoria
Written by: Castle Black
As COVID-19 continues to terrorize people and paralyze various sectors, the President approved the recommendation to extend the enhanced community quarantine (ECQ) in Luzon until April 30. Perhaps, this is a ray of hope for fellow Thomasians who are now in their third week of ECQ with piling online lessons and activities amid the self-paced learning program. After not being required to participate in online discussions, students are once again obliged to attend online classes and pass gradable assessments.
Undeniably, online classes can help students catch up with their pending lessons, making the quarantine worthwhile. This also prevents the semester from extending. But not all students have access to stable internet connection or even electronic devices forcing some to find alternatives such as going to computer shops, wherein at this point is not pretty feasible due to ECQ. Some students also left their learning materials at their dormitories and going back to get these things will only increase the risk of getting infected.
Aside from this, some professors haven’t mastered online platforms. Senior professors are not used to utilizing the course site, hindering the effectiveness of online learning. Adjustment from a traditional to an online set-up is also difficult for most of the professors and students because the Blackboard site is commonly used in minor courses only.
Moreover, online class is not suitable for all programs offered by UST. Different faculties require various methods of teaching, and not all of them can be effectively taught in a virtual class. As an engineering student, it is also difficult to grasp lessons online especially if it needs thorough explanation and step-by-step solutions present in face-to-face discussion. Other courses such as laboratories wouldn’t benefit that much in an online set-up because they need practical performance in order to be appreciated by learners.
At home, many distractions are also present making it hard for students to focus causing idleness instead of productivity. In times of crisis, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that mental disorders like anxiety and depression will double during the period of crisis. The fear of the virus increases stress among people. Even though Filipinos are known for their resiliency, none of us are safe from both the pandemic and mental disorders. Being locked at home might be boring and infuriating, and with a lingering threat around us, it can lead to serious mental health issues. Also, in this time where work and income is also put on hold, it can’t be helped to overthink. This is a lot to take and can greatly reduce retention and productivity among students.
Even though we are going through a difficult moment, let’s not forget that as students, it is our duty to try our best to use our free times to study. We are given the chance to flexibly manage each day in ECQ and catch up for the rest of the term. This is the time to pull up our grades, let’s not waste it.
Looking from a wider perspective, students aren’t the only one affected by the changes. If we think that it is not conducive to study at home, professors too are having a hard time. They can also experience fluctuations in internet connection just like us. Auto-passing may sound sweet but it would be better if we work hard for our grades. Mass promotion will only bring students to failure in the long run especially in the outside world. Without properly gauging students if they really learned something, they will have a hard time in their upcoming courses and even the board exams. This is a domino effect, bringing more harm than good. To preserve the quality of education, it is necessary to have a basis in grading students.
To be fair, the university is aware of the mental health implications of this health crisis. In its policy, they aim to extend their help through the UST Guidance Office and UST Health Service. In this difficult time, everyone has their own job in making this term a success. May professors show fairness and consideration amidst the crisis, acknowledging that everyone doesn’t have the privilege to access learning materials. May they still adapt the self-paced learning program by not requiring attendance for online discussions. May they also give students ample time in answering assessments online. May we, students, practice our right to be critical and use our voices constructively by raising it to the student bodies or even to professors.
This is not the time to compete with one another, let’s help each other in this hard time. Extending our help to our classmates who lack the resources is the least thing that we can do. By simply sharing notes or even volunteering to teach the ones who academically struggle are noble things to show amidst the outbreak. At the end of the day, it still boils down to proper dialogue, for we are all called to be more understanding, patient, and compassionate with each other.
Online classes have both its pros and cons. Constraints are inevitable along the way but right now this is the most feasible method in order for us to continue learning in the middle of a crisis. As the old saying goes, if there’s a will there’s a way. I’m pretty sure that all of us yearns to graduate on time and if we really want that degree, we must work hard for it against all odds.
The pandemic has greatly affected the course of the world, leaving the Earth in hiatus. We don’t know how long this crisis will end so our lives can finally be back to normal. None of us wanted this to happen and the outbreak has greatly affected all of us; we need to adjust and help each other, appreciate the tiny efforts of the people who are making this quarantine less difficult. Little by little, through proper dialogue, improvements shall come.
This isn’t just about compassion; it’s not the only ‘C’ in the Thomasian core values, afterall.
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