With the coming school year to be focused on distance or blended learning, the Department of Education (DepEd) is expected to come up with a few different strategies and techniques to carry out the classes for students. As a matter of fact, the DepEd suggests specific screen time regulations for students; this eliminates the danger of being too much exposed to radiation.

Moreover, the DepEd suggests specific screen time based on the distance learning strategies by the American Academy of Pediatrics, as well as the World Health Organization (WHO).

Diosdado San Antonio, the Undersecretary of the DepEd said that this particular strategy was part of the Policy Guidelines on the Implementation of Learning Delivery Modalities for Formal Education. More so, these would be given to respective schools and learning centers who have halted their operations due to the outburst of the infamous COVID-19 pandemic.

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In addition to that, San Antonio said that all schools are obliged to comply and conform with the suggested screen time for students and learners.

In Preparation of the Weekly Home Learning Plan and Class Programs, schools shall comply with the recommended screen time for learners. Online activities shall be complemented with locomotion, motor-sensory, and audio tools which will support subjects related to performing arts and clubs. Learners shall be provided with activity sheets and be given performance-based tasks to accomplish.”

Shorter Hours

When it comes to the number of hours students would take for distance or blended learning, the Department of Health (DOH) made the recommendation that online classes should never be more than six (6) to eight (8) hours per day. This is to make sure that the students would't be too tired to attend their classes.

More so, the Undersecretary of the Department of Health (DOH) Maria Rosario Vergeire said that children who are five (5) years old or younger aren't fit to attend online classes of eight (8) hours. Youngsters need more physical activity instead of learning while not doing anything.

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There should be physical activity. They should not sit in front of the computer for eight hours. It may strain their eyes."

Based on the most recent data from the Education Department, about 3.8 million parents preferred online or distance learning.

What do you think about the fact that DepEd suggest specific screen time for students? Would this be helpful in making sure that they are really learning? Can this maximize the distance or blended learning that the DepEd is planning to pursue for this academic year?

Source/s: Business Mirror PH | PE Brunei