The University of the Philippines (UP) Baguio has set to start classes for the first semester of school year 2020-2021 on September 10, 2020. This is in line with the adjusted general schedule of the UP System which also includes a modified term from the usual 16 weeks to 14 weeks for the first semester of the current school year. The opening of classes and the shortening of the term for the incoming semester is applicable to all undergraduate and graduate classes in the entire UP system, except for the UP Open University and programs in UP constituent units which are delivered on a trimester basis. The UP System has earlier determined that courses for the semester will be delivered through remote mode, with very few exceptions subject to approval.
UP faculty tap their collective and individual creativity in the preparations for the upcoming opening of classes in a new mode of delivery for most of the academic units. These preparations include course redesigning and to especially take into consideration the differentiated needs of students and the extraordinary situation brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. As in the other UP campuses, UP Baguio (UPB) currently undertakes curriculum and course redesign activities which primarily aim to review the degree programs in view of the adjustments in the schedule of the semester and of the remote mode.
The faculty of the three colleges of UPB have been working on modifications for individual courses which include the incorporation of regular formative assessment throughout the semester mainly to generate immediate and ongoing feedback intended to monitor student learning and address concerns on teaching and learning. Concerns such the delivery of content in manageable chunks as well as the reduction or integration of topics and subtopics to fit the proposed 14-week semester as also carefully addressed. To enable the colleges to fulfill the academic requirements of this major shift in the academe, faculty members join online trainings and webinars. They attend retooling and enhancement exercises including those organized by the colleges or departments and those sponsored by the UP System such as “Gear UP for Remote Learning Innovation Workshop,” “Redesigning Courses for Remote Learning” and “Designing Technology-Supported Learning.”
Course packs are also being prepared. These include a course guide with a detailed course syllabus, learning resources, activity guides, and assignment guides. Integrated in the redesign of these academic materials are factors including the learners and the learning context specific to these times of the pandemic which has seen sudden shifts and various challenges. In addition, thorough planning of content and modalities of delivery, curating of learning resources and designing leaning activities, as well as planning of assessment are also important aspects. The course packs will be given to students before the start of classes in different formats such as online through the course sites, as digital files in a hardware storage device, or in print to be sent via courier especially to students with no internet connection. Also in consideration of the high level of anxiety due to local and global situations brought about by the pandemic, UPB continuously enhances its psychosocial support systems and mechanisms to include massive use of telecommunication and online channels.
In keeping with the full online delivery of learning, the UPB Committee on Transition to Remote Learning has also been looking into the technology support requirements and the university’s learning management system called the UP Baguio Virtual Learning Environment (UPBVLE). Ways to support the technological capability of UPB faculty, administrative staff and research and extension personnel have also been addressed put in place such as the activation of the computer loan program.
To support the technological capability of students, the UPB organized “Kaagapay UP Baguio” program, following the “Kaagapay UP” campaign of the UP System. Kaagapay UP Baguio program aims to raise funds, gather resources and pool efforts to provide assistance for the remote learning needs of financially challenged students of UPB. It is hoped that by the start of classes, computer units will have been provided to students without gadgets required for remote learning. Internet connectivity assistance shall also be given to those in most need, following appropriate evaluation. Donations in cash or in kind are very much welcome; queries are coursed through kaagapay.upbaguio@up.edu.ph or 09178523048. **UP Baguio Public Affairs
