DepEd eyes TV learning in new normal
Sec. Briones cites the Knowledge Channel as a learning delivery platform using television.
In a televised Senate hearing scheduled last May 21, Education chief Leonor M. Briones presented to the senators the Learning Continuity Plan of the Department of Education which was recently approved by the Inter-Agency Task Force on the Emerging Infectious Diseases (IATF).
During the discussion, Senator Grace Poe asked if lessons can also be broadcasted on government channels like PTV 4 aside from online classes.
WATCH: Senator Poe asks Sec. Briones on broadcasting lessons
Briones concurred with Poe saying that television is also part of the Learning Continuity Plan. “Nakita nga namin sa survey na may mga lugar talagang walang connectivity pero may radio kasi tradisyunal na yung radio. Nung narinig ng government stations natin, nag-offer sila ng programs nila, services nila. Pero hindi lamang galing sa public sector. Hindi lamang ang PCOO. Halimbawa ang Knowledge Channel,” she states.
Briones also added that other civil society groups have their own education programs for different sectors of society. “So next week, gusto naming makipagkita dito sa mga iba-ibang nago-offer ng kanilang programs, ng kanilang experience. Kasi yung challenge sa Department of Education ay yung i-convert, i-translate yung tradisyunal na pamamaraan sa pagtuturo.”
The Secretary also mentioned DepEd Commons, an online platform where lessons are currently uploaded and accessed by teachers and learners. The site already garnered over 7 million users yet Briones admits it is limited by the requirement of internet connectivity. “Yung pinakamalaki nating ginagamit na platform ay DepEd Commons pero kailangan niyan ng connectivity.”
Since the onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic, Knowledge Channel Foundation, Inc. (KCFI) has been proactively supporting the welfare of learners by providing educational content on-air and online while they stay home. Despite losing its presence on ABS-CBN TVplus after the ABS-CBN Shutdown, it continues to broadcast lessons via cable TV and making its videos free and available on YouTube and on its website.