Teaching-learning in light of COVID-19, CNU’s challenges and response

The class suspension during the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) brought by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) health crisis has deferred regular classes in schools and has urged educators to explore learning strategies that could better engage students without them being physically present.

According to Dr. Daisy Palompon, Cebu Normal University (CNU) Vice President for Academic Affairs, the COVID-19 health crisis is a circumstance at which alternative ways of learning can be introduced.

Palompon said that the blended learning approach is done in most classes where traditional and online learning is combined; however, in the situation of COVID-19 health crisis, not all teachers and students have full access to the necessary technologies.

Read related article: [Teaching-learning challenges amid COVID-19]

She said that structurally, our region is not ready for full online learning since not all areas have access to internet or even mobile phone signals.

“Online courses require the readiness assessment of the learners which include the availability of ICT gadgets and a strong internet connection.” Palompon said.

“The use of online learning is indeed a very good alternative for face-to-face learning; however, there are competencies which could not be learned through online learning alone,” she added.

She said that there are still courses that require practicum, related learning experience, or On-the-Job Training (OJT) such as the development of the art and skills of teaching and nursing care among others.

It is not new

Palompon said that Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) have already been encouraged to introduce innovations in learning strategies through seamless learning with other learners around the globe. 

“The principle of which is that expertise may not only be learned in our local HEIs but could also be found in our neighboring countries. And that learning could not only be done by actual classroom experience but can also take place in virtual learning set-ups,” Palompon said.

She said that exploring effective ways of learning for the new generations of learners is encouraged by taking advantage of their interests in the use of technology. Hence, blended learning was introduced such as the use of flipped classrooms. 

“Alternative ways of learning are also introduced to enable more potential students who cannot be present in the physical classroom due to work demands and other household concerns [to continue learning], hence, online learning or distance learning came about,” Palompon said.

“Learning is dynamic and it continues for every individual. CNU has proposed proactive measures for the academic needs of the students,” she added.

According to Palompon, COVID-19 has created a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) situation. Hence, our proactive measures would be as flexible as the nature of the health crisis [itself]. 

Way forward

“The whole academic community will review our course map before the start of the next school year and will be reintegrating the competencies not attained within this semester in related courses by next school year,” Palompon said. 

“Developing an integrated approach for teaching-learning will best be explored with the foremost consideration of using platforms that will not require much internet use or ICT facilities,” she added. (JDF)

CNU gains deeper understanding on data privacy

Cebu Normal University (CNU) educators acquired knowledge on data privacy through an in-service training that was attended by all faculty members in the University.

The training on Data Privacy in Higher Education Institutions was held last January 7 and 8 at the Tandang Sora Hall.

The first day was attended by teachers from the College of Teacher Education (CTE), College of Nursing (CN), and CNU Balamban campus, while the second day was attended by educators from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS) and CNU Medellin campus.  

It was conducted by the office of the Vice-President for Academic Affairs (VPAA).

VPAA Dr. Daisy Palompon said that the gathering aims to add more inputs on data privacy to educators who are exposed to different information sharing and who come in contact with sensitive information that are shared in different social media platforms.

Palompon also said that the in-service training would also serve as a springboard for CNU faculty members to implement the data privacy operations or systems in the University.

Atty. Rey Cris Panugaling, Attorney IV and Head of the Office of Strategy Management of Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC), and Human Resource Director and Data Protection Officer of University of Cebu Medical Center (UCMed), Inc., graced the event as a guest lecturer to impart knowledge and awareness on the Data Privacy Act (DPA) of 2012 to the faculty members of his alma mater.

He gave a background briefer and overview of DPA, and discussed the rights of data subjects, general obligations, the five pillars of data privacy accountability and compliance, and data privacy threats and best practices.

The same seminar on DPA was also given to CNU non-teaching staff on February 7, 2020 which was organized by the Office of Quality Assurance in coordination with the Office of the Chief Administrative Office and Data Privacy Office. (JDF)

Updated as of February 10, 2020

CNU Balamban campus gears toward students’ welfare & development

Cebu Normal University (CNU) Balamban Campus has always strived for the development of its students in any good platforms available and possible. The University believes that the students’ welfare will always be its top priority in any undertaking, so that the students will soon become part of the country’s workforce and agents in nation-building. With this, different activities have been made for its clienteles.

Last October 30, 2019, the Balamban Campus celebrated the University Wellness Program in partnership with Vicente Sotto Memorial Medical Center (VSMMC) Family Medicine Department and Philippine Red Cross Cebu Chapter that offered Free Health Consultation and conducted a Voluntary Non-Remunerated Mobile Blood Donation to the students.

It was spearheaded by Mrs. Ria Letigio, School Nurse, with the support of the Dr. Levi Atibula, Balamban Campus Director. It was actively participated in by the students, faculty members and non-teaching staff.

A symposium on Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), Health, and First-Aid Awareness was also done with the aid of the aforementioned University partners. The symposium was a very good reminder for everyone to be extra-mindful of their health and diet as they strive for a better lifestyle.

Furthermore, different Awareness Programs were also held for the students last October 30-31, 2019 about Drugs; November 6 to 7, 2019 for Gender; and November 13 to 14, 2019, a forum on Magna Carta for Women. This series of programs was done courtesy of the Gender and Development (GAD) Office in CNU Main Campus.

Through the symposiums, students acquired new knowledge that allowed them to widen their perspectives on different matters. Hence, the activities and events are great avenues for students to be more aware, careful, and educated as the University fulfills its vision and mission. It is also a way of living life with a purpose that is to serve humanity in all goodness. (AMB)

Grateful students pay tribute to their awesome teachers

(Photo by Ang Suga)

Cebu Normal University (CNU) students paid tribute to all Normalite educators as the World Teachers’ Day is celebrated.

All teachers from the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), College of Teacher Education (CTE) and Integrated Laboratory School (ILS), and College of Nursing (CN) were gathered at the Samuel McClintock (SM) Hall on October 3 together with the Administrative Council and students. CNU Balamban and Medellin students also showed appreciation to their teachers as they celebrated Teachers’ Day at their respective campuses.

The event was spearheaded by CNU Supreme Student Council (SSC) with the other mandated student organizations, namely Council of Liberal Arts and Sciences Students (CLASS), Educators’ Council (EC), and Nightingale Student Council (NSC). Student representatives from different organizations performed songs and dances to delight all educators. A series of performances came from Pop Jazz Dance Company, NSC, ILS, CLASS and EC, and the CNU Chorale.

Dr. Filomina Dayagbil, SUC President III gives her message to all the teachers present in celebration for the World Teachers’ Day. / Photo by Mechelle Canoy

Dr. Filomena Dayagbil, CNU President, acknowledged the teachers and other stakeholders, and thanked the SSC and the rest of the student organizations who made the event possible with their love and affection. She shared that Teachers’ Day is one of her favorite celebrations in school because “it puts premium on the importance of educators and faculty members in the delivery of quality service in the University.”

Dayagbil said that the learner is the center of education process, but the teacher makes the learner. She said, “The teacher builds or breaks the future of our learners.” She mentioned that it is her long term dream and aspiration to have a pool of faculty members who nurture learners and bring out the best in them. Dayagbil then gave emphasis on teachers’ character and competence to do it.

She then announced that the National Budget Circular (NBC) No. 461 has been approved and endorsed by the CNU Board of Regents. She said that approval of the board shows how supportive they are of the different ranks that the teachers have gained through perseverance, effort, and hard work. The documents will still be submitted to the Department of Budget and Management (DBM) and Civil Service Commission (CSC) for evaluation.

“For me, that’s the best announcement and gift that I could give to all of us on Teachers’ Day as far as our efforts are concerned,” she said.

CNU Pop Jazz Dance Company is dancing through the theme of Mental Health Awareness. / Photo by Mechelle Canoy
Nightingale Student Council Officers are holding pictures of their professors as they sing “Glowing Inside”. / Photo by Ang Suga
Janly Grace Demol, ILS Student sings to the song “Rise Up” earnestly for the teachers. / Photo by Ang Suga
Mr. Jorjie Nepangue intently reads his messages from his students. / Photo by Ang Suga

Teachers enjoyed their day as they witnessed the performances of the different student organizations. Educators also actively joined the community dance led by the CLASS and EC.

CNU Balamban Campus celebrated the day through an impromptu pageant prepared by SSC which was joined by the teachers. After which, a tribute from the students was done. A volleyball exhibition game also followed between the faculty and students.

CNU Medellin Campus also celebrated theirs through a message relay game with a twist which was participated in by both faculty and students. Performances and messages from the students then followed with the giving of tokens to the teachers. (JDF)

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