THIS ARTICLE PRESENTS A DISSENTING OPINION ON MULTI-PLATFORM AND APP USE IN ONLINE LEARNING
Modernization has taken its toll on the way the lessons are being given through the blended learning approach, which presents a duality of methods that incorporate face-to-face classes with online learning. THIS DUALITY HAS PAVED THE WAY FOR COMPLICATIONS AND ENCROACHMENT OF STUDENTS' RIGHTS THAT EDUCATORS MAY NOT HAVE FORESEEN, OR HAVE YET TO BE RESOLVED AS A MATTER OF TEACHING OR INSTRUCTIONAL POLICY.
With homeschool learning, the students are required to log in and make use of online collaborative tool and meeting platforms that are originally conceptualized and tailored to serve professionals and workers, which were later on used to have beneficial applications in the academe.
But this approach to online learning, the use of multi-platform apps, presents
complications that could vague the other rights of the schoolers, in order to pursue quality education.
With the
use of online learning methods, learners are required to use the camera
and reveal a homeschooling setup that may inadvertently expose the privacy of a
home to others.
Apart from this, other weaknesses of online learning relate to the uncontrolled factors that could affect the learning of a child.
Such as in the case of audio interferences during online learning and discussions that are not always preventable as most houses in the Philippines are not properly tailored and customized to handle a perfectly digital online school arrangement.
Moreover, the situational condition of a learner’s “neighboring space” would also be beyond the control of anyone geared for online learning.
Simple noise, traffic commotion, and sound interference in and outside the house can provide additional distractions to homeschooling, and much more to quality learning.
As parents living in the digital age, we are at sufficient
knowledge that no modern app or online environment in the world is totally 100
percent safe.
Exposing learners to camera use and other applications online does not only take away a kid’s right to discriminate against camera use because in this case, a school chooses its matter of SOP policy in the learning integration vis-a-vis the use of technology.
In addition, apps available online have different levels
of technicality and hardware requirements.
An ordinary school/ homeschool setup, may not be readily prepared to
meet the demands of such technicality, much more to the comprehension of a young learner.
A case in point is a video meeting application (without prejudgment or bias against a specific app), that requires a great level of technicality.
A school
must take the presumption that nuances in the use of modern apps can complicate a child’s focus and pique interest more in the use of technology, which can dissonate a learner from spending time, learning the core subjects, which educators would like to prioritize on.
ADD TO THIS COMPLICATION IS THE INTEGRITY OF THE STUDENTS' COPYRIGHTS, WHICH MAY BE COMPROMISED WITH THE USE OF SUCH APPS IN THE CLASSROOM/ONLINE SCHOOLING.
THE YOUNG LEARNERS ALREADY FACE WITH ABRUPT CHANGES TO THE TRADITIONAL METHODS OF LEARNING THAT THEY HAVE BEEN ACCUSTOMED TO, COULD BE UNPREPARED TO HANDLE FURTHER LESSONS ON THEIR COPYRIGHTS.
MUCH MORE, USING SPECIFIC APPS THAT ALLOW FOR DESIGNING AND CREATIVE OUTPUTS WHEN DONE IN A PROFESSIONAL PLATFORM, CAN BE MISTAKEN FOR A PURSUIT BEYOND LEARNING, AND THUS, CANNOT BE IMPOSED ON A LEARNER.
More Disadvantages of Using Apps in Online Learning
THE STEALTH OF COPYRIGHTS INFRINGEMENT CAN BEGIN AT THE LEVEL OF SCHOOLING WHEN TEACHERS BEGIN TO HARNESS A KID’S TALENTS FOR CREATIVE USE.
THE USE OF SEEMINGLY INNOCENT, COLLABORATIVE APPS CAN BE EXPLOITED FOR PROFIT WHEN LEFT IN THE WRONG HANDS or when an educator pursues this, without a full vista on how the use of such collaborative apps, can affect the learners' copyrights.
AT THE EARLY AGE OF LEARNING, COPYRIGHTS ARE BEYOND
THE COMPREHENSION OR TECHNICAL KNOW-HOW OF THE YOUNG LEARNERS.
Thus, the Department of Education must regulate and peer review the methods of educational institutions and learning centers, in endorsing the use of technology, specifically in the use of apps that may not be congruent with familiar methods of LEARNING.
It must take a slow review in allowing the use and endorsement of apps, with a purpose.
The use of specific apps in classrooms or online learning MUST NEVER BE OBLIGATORY-- OR RULE OF USE AND IMPLEMENTATION IN EDUCATION.
DEPED MUST MAKE SURE THAT IN PURSUIT OF FORTIFYING THE EDUCATION OF OUR CHILDREN, THE USE OF MODERN TECHNOLOGY MUST NOT encroach on the other basic rights of the students.
If
it is true learning that we target to focus on STEM strengths, every
educator must know when to discriminate; when to use technology; and when to simplify or amplify.
As
parents, we cannot allow kids to accept and learn everything that are available
online beyond our reproach and scrutiny.
On the school level, educators must know how to redefine its hold as an
educator; and not as an encroacher of the other rights of the learner/s, geared
towards blended learning at the time of the new normal.
Commentary/ The writer is open for further debate,
comment, and discussion on this post.
Philippines
minor edit time and date stamp: 7:36pm/ by the writer 050823
