While the fight to curb 2019 novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) continues and the actual classes in schools are temporarily cancelled due to the Enhanced Community Quarantine (ECQ) in Davao City, some schools in Davao region – particularly colleges and universities – have shifted to alternative learning system to continue conducting classes and prevent the extension of another school year. One of these schools is Lyceum of the Philippines – Davao (LPU Davao), a new school in Mindanao committed to deliver excellence and quality education inspired by the ideals of its founder, President Jose P. Laurel.
Way before the COVID-19 pandemic, LPU Davao has been adapting online classes in various yet tried, tested, and reliable Learning Management Systems (LMS) platforms such as Quipper, Canvas, Office 365, and Zoom. These platforms help students interact with their professors and classmates and deliver their tasks at their convenience.
“LPU Davao faculty follows the principle that no student must be left behind and each student must be given equal learning opportunities,” Dr. Felipe Balingit Jr., Vice President and Chief Academic Officer of LPU Davao, said on having limited access of internet connection by some students during online classes.
Dr. Balingit also emphasized “understanding and compassion” as the key to address the gap in these trying times given that not everyone has the luxury of a good internet connection now that learning has shifted online for the meantime.
“Therefore, students with limited or no internet connection are allowed other modern means to communicate with their faculty: voice call, SMS, email, Facebook, etc.,” he then added.
With online classes, class schedules are much flexible. Students who missed some sessions can catch up by reviewing recorded sessions. Dr. Balingit also stated that some other advantages of online classes in LPU Davao include “structured procedures and documented measurable outcomes.”
Online classes in LPU Davao have officially resumed last April 15, 2020, after a month-long cancellation of classes in all LPU campuses due to COVID-19.