AdU commences opening of classes via BlackBoard Learn

CALM BEFORE THE PANDEMIC — A glimpse back from 'normal' school days, sun-drenched morning at SV facade (Photo by: Ria Mae Baniqued)

Despite the announcement of the Department of Education to move the opening of classes to October 5, Adamson University (AdU) officially opened their Academic Year 2020-2021 using the Flexible Learning Program by Distance Online Learning last August 24 for all levels.

According to The Adamson Chronicle, the university recorded a total of 2,545 freshmen enrollees, and 582 enrollees for College of Education and Liberal Arts (CELA) amid its adoption of the distance online learning.

The university partenered with Blackboard Learn to facilitate virtual classrooms using a flexible learning mode that the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) suggested.

Opening of class challenges 

Despite the issue on the internet and device accessibility for many of its students, the university adapted to the “new normal” as an alternative scheme to continue education while monitoring safety measures during the COVID-19 pandemic.

AdU addressed this issue by providing 300 pesos worth of data load monthly and laptop loan to the students.

On its first day, the university struggled with a technical problem in Blackboard, while many students experienced conflicts on their first week of online classes.

“It's stressful when experiencing technical problems while in the middle of meetings just like what I experienced a while ago in one of our classes wherein I had a hard time entering the Google Class Meeting link, I ended up not finishing the class since I can't enter again,” said Justine Mae Gappi, 2nd Year B.A. Communication Arts student.

“Imagine me being stressed and completely drained out considering that I'm equipped with proper tools and internet connectivity, what more to those students who aren't?” she added.

Academic Freeze vs. Ligtas na Balik Eskwela

With the school opening, clamors about Distance Online Learning being “anti-student” resurfaced, as well as the call for an “Academic Freeze,” as many students struggle in the middle of a health crisis.

“Kasi ‘di naman tayo ready in all aspect. Grabe, in this middle of pandemic, syempre mas uunahin mong isipin if how u can survive in everyday living. Then suddenly, meron pang full loads or piles of school requirements na gagawin mo pa,” said Britney Villegas, 2nd Year B.A. in Communication Arts student.

She also enumerated the struggles she encountered participating in online classes.

“As for me, sobrang hirap talaga ng online class. Then there are times na biglang nagkaka-problem during our online class like walang mic, can't join, and can’t hear our prof’s voice,” she added.

On the other hand, progressive organizations did not see academic freeze as the answer for the pandemic-stricken education, hence the demand for “Ligtas Na Balik Eskwela.”

“These sectors have one goal in common: resumption of physical class at the soonest time possible. Hence, our demands must forge greater unities toward demanding action and holding the regime accountable. […] consensus must be within the sector before such a demand can fly,” said Raoul Manuel, National Union of Students of the Philippines National President.

NUSP also urges for #MassTestingNow and #LigtasBalikEskwela.