Cebu Normal University (CNU) has decided to adopt the Flexible Teaching and Learning Delivery as its instructional delivery mode for the upcoming academic year which starts this September.

The announcement was made last Tuesday, July 21, through a post on the CNU official Facebook page.

The Flexible Teaching and Learning Delivery makes use of online distance learning with the practice of synchronous and asynchronous types of learning.

Synchronous learning makes use of software platforms or video-communication services such as Zoom and Google Meet to conduct ‘real-time’ virtual classes, while asynchronous learning makes use of web services like Google classroom and emails to provide modules and assignments to students and the classes are not real-time.

The CNU faculty members have equipped themselves with these types of learning as the challenge of the new normal in education has arisen.

Read related article: [CNU holds its first webinar series in preparation for the ‘new normal’]

CNU Vice President for Academic Affairs (VPAA) Dr. Daisy Palompon confirmed that students would not have to report physically in school during the start of the upcoming academic year as the threat of Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) continues.

The Integrated Laboratory School (ILS) will conduct online distance learning utilizing both synchronous and asynchronous means. Work-text books will still be used so that learning would not be purely conducted online. Parents and guardians are advised to supervise the students to ensure learning.    

The undergraduate students are given two options – online and offline distance learning.

The online distance learning is intended for those students who have stable internet connection to practice synchronous and asynchronous learning, and virtual classes will only be conducted if necessary.

Offline distance learning is an option for students with unstable or no internet connection. Students can communicate with their teachers through messenger and text and submit their tasks/assignments through email.

Self-learning modules will be provided for those students who would go for offline distance learning. A system on the delivery of modules and submission of outputs is still being finalized and will be announced later on.

The Graduate School will purely practice online distance learning which can be synchronous, asynchronous, or both.

Palompon said that the online mode for graduate studies was implemented starting last March 2020 when classes were suspended due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ). She said that online distance learning shall be continued as part of the University’s long-term plan for graduate students. (JDF)