THE MDSI IN THE NEW NORMAL
Along with the goal of strengthening the education system for resilience, is MDSI’s foremost consideration of the best interest of learners as the center of all decisions, hence its adherence to the directives of the government and of the DepEd, that face-to-face learning will only be conducted until the safety of all is assured.
With this is our acknowledgement of the trust and shared responsibility of parents and our stakeholders as we face the new normal. As we altogether adapt, we enjoin the MDSI family to be with us in attaining our goals through our offering of the alternative delivery modes amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The following is a recapitulation of the MDSI learning continuity plan. With this, MDSI hopes to provide the framework within which teaching and learning will continue and ensure that learners acquire the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) as they uphold the school philosophy of developing human potentials in the midst of the health crisis.
Mode of Learning Delivery
Distance Education or Distance Learning : teaching and learning that takes place remotely without the learners being physically present in school. MDSI distance education is a combination of online and offline learning
A. Online learning - combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning:
1. Synchronous learning - a type of learning wherein all the students learn at the same time. This usually involves video or teleconferencing teachers and students digitally
2. Asynchronous learning - a type of learning wherein learners are provided with content and tasks that they need to accomplish at their own pace but with a deadline set by the teacher
Platforms to be used: As online learning / eLearning is not new to MDSIans, the school will continue to use the platforms they have been using for several years now, the GENYO eLearning, SCHOLASTIC, and the SchoolMate Online.
B. Offline learning - the use of books and learning kits as text counterparts. All learners will still be using textbooks. Learning kits, which will be prepared by the teachers with reference to updated textbooks aligned with the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs), will be made available to the learners. Their parents may pick these up from MDSI, or these may be distributed to them by the school in coordination with the Office of the Barangay, whichever is more accessible to them. The school has to be informed of their preference.
Curriculum and Grading System
MDSI will adapt the DepEd Curriculum, the Most Essential Learning Competencies (MELCs) for the K-12 program, with modifications in adherence to the MDSI vision, mission, goals and objectives. The school will also adapt the grading system which the DepEd will release, including how projects (Performance Task /PeTa) are to be accomplished and graded. Rubrics, as needed, will be used in the assessment. Learners’ performance (grades / progress) report will be reflected in the SchoolMate.
Class Schedule /Learning Mode
Online classes will feature a balanced schedule that will enable teachers and learners to manage their tasks well and be able to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Activities will be varied to sustain learners’ attention; learners’ attention span / tolerance level will be considered.
Daily class activities will be done synchronously and asynchronously. These modes of learning will enable students to:
Deadlines on the completion of online course materials and submission of class requirements are scheduled within reasonable timeframes. For missed lessons on account of poor connectivity, coordination with the subject teacher is advised.
To be incorporated in the class schedule is a series of support programs lined-up for the learners to support their individual learning needs: virtual homeroom, feedback and consultation periods, remedial classes, advancement classes, and guidance sessions. Activities for collaboration will be provided for the learners’ social development.
Virtual homeroom / text counterpart (for learners with no internet) will be part of the class program for personality development and values formation.
Learners will also be grouped and to which corresponding advisers will be assigned.
Specific Guidelines for Students
1. Students will be guided by a learning kit which can be viewed and downloaded using the school learning management system.
2. Learning kit should be used by the learners with the given scheduled time frame.
3. In delivering the content – videos, audios, power points, articles, self-made videos by teachers, etc. can be viewed also in the LMS. In the downloadable copy, only the link of those content will be cited as the learner really needs to open it in the LMS.
4. Activities can be done in the LMS, but some will be submitted separately like those modified worksheets designed by the teachers. All of the instructions and template can be viewed also using the school LMS which will also serve as the guide of learners in their self-pace learning.
5. There will be a given time to view, accomplish and submit the outputs of the learners.
6. Consultation with teachers will be through the LMS and other approved platforms within the scheduled time and date.
7. Summative evaluations should be done only in the LMS.
8. Learners are to observe netiquette (code of good behavior / internet etiquette) on distance learning, including the facts on Cyber-Bullying Laws. These will be discussed during the training in August.
Issues on Internet Connectivity
If there is connectivity issue, the supplementary materials (books and learning kits) will be enough for the students to follow the lessons.
Learners are not required to use an internet device the whole time. The school will provide them with sufficient time to complete any online work. Learning resources and plans will be made available the week before so learners or parents can download the learning package in case connectivity will be a problem.
Training / Bridging Program for MDSI Family
There will be a THREE-WEEK BRIDGING PROGRAM in August. This will equip the learners on how to adapt on the new normal of learning. During this program, there will be orientations and meetings, activities to prepare the learners for school year ahead. There will also be a training for families of MDSIans in the use of the LMS.
Parents’ Involvement
Parents/guardians need an avenue to be part of the students’ learning process through the LMS. This is why it is important for the parents/guardians to participate in the scheduled preparation time in August.
Parents will receive their own account in their children’s LMS. This will allow them to monitor the progress of their children throughout the school year.
The learner or parent will need to communicate, as needed, regarding their needs and difficulties. Since everyone is at the period of adjustment to the new normal, everyone is encouraged to bank on mutual trust and cooperation to make the learners’ education fruitful, and to practice sharing and taking turns at home.
MDSI Teachers’ Preparedness
The MDSI teachers have been implementing online and blended learning since 2013. They have undergone advanced training, adequate capacity and skill-building to deliver online. MDSI and GENYO have been partners for more than 5 years thus, delivering and conducting distance education is an advantage to MDSI teachers. More trainings are scheduled for them for better delivery of the new normal education.
Special Programs of MDSI
GENYO eLearning Program – a fully integrated online learning platform that MDSI has been adapting since 2013 that comes complete with rich interactive multimedia content on Science, Math, English, Araling Panlipunan, and Filipino. It also features an intensive teacher training program to ensure the success and sustainability of the program.
Scholastic PR1ME English Program - special reading program of the MDSI for four years now; this is a comprehensive, full-service English literacy program that builds English literacy skills to mastery, beginning with the foundations of reading. Another feature is the Scholastic Reading Counts!, a Lexile-based independent reading management program for K-12 students that engages students by allowing them to generate reading lists based on their Lexile level and personal reading interests. Generated reports provide teachers and parents with valuable information about students’ reading progress and help match students to the right level of reading challenge.
Scholastic PR1ME Mathematics - covers five strands of mathematics across six grades/year levels: Numbers and Operations, Measurement, Geometry, Data Analysis and Algebra.
SCHOOLMATE - an all-in-one school management software that manages the school from admission to attendance examinations and result cards.
Start of the School Year 2020-2021: AUGUST 24
