by Darlton-Ace Tero, CED
The Department of Physical Education (DPE) of the College of Education hosted a webinar on Physical Education Curriculum Standards, Designs and Strategies for Higher Education Institutions (HEI’s) and Department of Education (DepEd) during the New Normal on April 15, 2021.
The webinar that was held via Zoom featured four education experts from MSU-IIT, Commission on Higher Education (CHED)-Region X, and Department of Education (Central Office) as resource speakers discussing topics on PE curriculum in the new normal and flexible learning.
Prof. Corazon T. Biong, PhD, Chairperson of the MSU-IIT’s College of Education’s Curriculum Committee and faculty member of the Department of Physical Education, discussed Curriculum Planning, Development, Implementation and Evaluation in the New Normal.
In her talk, Prof. Biong presented the methods and strategies of the DPE’s implementation of the Innovative Flexible (InFlex) learning-teaching modality, Remote Teaching Learning (RTL) synchronous and asynchronous delivery, and MSU IIT’S Online Learning Environment (MOLE). She also shared what learning materials can be used and that there are other online resources that can be utilized by PE teachers.
To improve curriculum strategies, Prof. Biong encouraged the participants to partner with local and international HEIs, with CHED and DepEd, and other stakeholders.
Education Supervisor II of CHED Region X, Ms. Rose Mae T. Lumasag also gave a lecture on Guidelines for Higher Education Institutions in the Implementation of Flexible Learning.
“As to how to continue teaching and learning beyond the usual face to face institution and with the current situation of the new normal is through a ‘Catch Up’ plan of HEIs, which would include specified alternative modes of teaching and learning delivery; contact hour requirements for subjects/programs; modified internship/ OJT activities; adjustment on the assessment of student’s outcomes; and decision on graduation platforms,” Ms. Lumasag said.
She also pointed out that under the leadership of Chairman Prospero E. De Vera III, by virtue of Republic Act. No. 11469 “Bayanihan to Heal as One Act” and the approved guidelines in the implementation of flexible learning, there is an urgent need to explore other innovative learning modalities that will facilitate migration from traditional ways of doing instruction to flexible teaching and learning options.
“The learners are differently situated in terms of individual time, places and mode of paces, that is why the innovative options of flexible learning allows customization on the delivery modes in order to respond to the students’ need for them to access quality education in the new normal. Flexible learning will give liberty to the students to choose the kind of delivery mode convenient to them according to the capacity of their resources and convenience to their economic status,” she said.
Ms. Lumasag asserted that teachers of HEIs should provide quality education and not make any reasons to lower down the standards due to the pandemic. Profession enhancement for the faculty developmental plan should also be considered.
Dr. Lordinio Vergara, CHED Technical Committee Member in PE and Sports and Wellness Management, discussed in the webinar the following topics: The Physical Education Teacher Education (PETE) and Proposed Tertiary Curriculum; COVID-19 Crisis Context and Education Response; and Philippine Normal University’s (PNU) Approach to Flexible Learning and PNU’s IPEHRDS Initiatives.
Dr. Vergara said that the 2012 Technical Panel for Teacher Education (TPTE) made a series of meetings and workshops for the review of CHED Memorandum Order No. 30, series of 2004. The said meetings have led to the development of a framework for Philippine Teacher Education in the 21st century, pathways for the undergraduate degree programs, as well as guiding principles and assertions for the revision of the teacher education curriculum.
He said that the guiding principles of the Current Imperatives for the 21st Century Teacher Education Curriculum led to a greater emphasis on teacher values, 21st century skills and pedagogical content knowledge, expansion of roles and responsibilities that are shared to other professional’s new job opportunities, and personalizing learning for individual students to accommodate greater diversity in different learning context.
Dr. Vergara, who is also the Vice-President of the University Relations and Advancement of the Philippine Normal University (PNU) also talked about the PNU’s approach to learning and PNU-IPHERDS initiatives. He said that PNU’s approach is the “Flexible Learning Delivery”: KAWAY-ARALAN sa BAGONG KADAWYAN.
He shared that the PNU Outcome-based Teacher Education Curriculum (PNU OBTEC) has an embedded Flexible Learning Activity (FLA) as an instructional design. FLAs are multi- and interdisciplinary activities to support the expected outcome of the course. Most FLAS are done using learning management systems.
The webinar’s fourth resource speaker was Mr. Jerry F. Crausus, Supervising Education Program Specialist, Bureau of Curriculum Development – DepEd Central Office. His topic focused on K-12 Physical Education Standards, Designs, and Strategies in DepEd During the New Normal.
During his talk, Mr. Crausus cited the difference between the traditional and K to 12 PE. He said that traditional PE is about developing the skill competence in sports and activities, existing resources, has sports-dominated content and is teacher-centered, while the K-12 PE Curriculum is standards-based, has desired learning outcomes, and is learner-centered.
Mr. Crausus also mentioned that standards (content and performance standards) should be retained, focus still on the attainment of 21st century skills, the codes and tagged materials must be retained for merged and retained competencies, and all learning areas still be taught and must be aligned with the Sulong Edukalidad framework.
Mr. Crausus pointed out that motivation is important to distant learners and teachers should aim to make a cognitive, affective and psychomotor evaluation that ignores the interruptions in the continuity of learning and includes the individual capacities of the students. He added that the fitness level of the students should always be given consideration and ensure regular movement in order for them to be healthy especially during the pandemic.
To watch a replay of the webinar, you may click here.