There were many ways the schools managed to improvise so as not to disrupt teaching and learning—like online classes, home-based research and seminars, and extensive reading and varied assignments.
Yes, technology has become an effective source and partner of education.
I have two trimestral online classes in the University of San Jose-Recoletos (USJ-R) PhD English and Literature programs every Saturday and Sunday, from 5 to 7 p.m. My students across the globe, like from Canada and the United States, are up to date in reading and interactive research. My classes this trimester, Philippine English and Shakespearean Dramaturgy, have been dissecting the roots of Philippine English and how our dialects have become slight concerns in English fluency. We are also going deeper into the theatrical art of Shakespeare where he merged plot, setting and characters to weave his famous tragedies, histories and comedies in the Elizabethan Era.
It’s amazing how doctoral students have expanded their learning vistas with discoveries and perspectives.
The same learning directions are applied by other schools like the Benedicto College (BC), University of Cebu (UC), University of San Carlos, and the University of the Visayas (UV), where my fellow Zontian Matt Baguia handles several classes.
To color the academic sessions, co-curricular projects continue to make students happy and confident: BC had its quest for Miss Benedicto College. The sports and intramurals are still priorities in the schools. USJ-R held its annual health and fitness-related intramurals to deepen sportsmanship.
My first cousin (daughter of former Emilia Espina Valmoria, a public school teacher) Margie Valmoria Visitacion, has established her own school: Communication Arts Learning Center. Another niece, Ria Espina, whose mother was also a teacher, is involved in helping upgrade courses at UC under the guidance of its founder, lawyer Augusto Go.
Another co-teacher, Lilane Cutanda, conducts English seminars. My former secretary in the USJ-R College of Arts and Sciences, Alita Laborte, still teaches part-time. A few alumni of the USJ-R Dramatics and Cultural Ensemble have established schools and learning centers which I featured in my previous articles.
The late Dr. Concesa Baduel of UV said that “teaching is forever!” Zontian Dr. Fe Necesario of UV served as consultant in many schools during her retirement.
Education is the pathway to our quest to discover, learn and share our essence of existence.