BRGY. LOS ANGELES, Butuan City - Amid government restrictions on travels and public gatherings such as face-to-face trainings, the Agricultural Training Institute – Regional Training Center 13 is planning to shift from its ‘usual’ training services to virtual classrooms where learners gain knowledge and skills on agriculture via the internet. This was among the matters discussed last May 4, 2020 during the center’s monthly staff meeting presided by its Center Director, Samuel L. Calonzo.

Engr. Matt Andrew Baquiano, OIC Section Head of the Partnerships and Accreditation Services Section (PASS), presented a proposal on how the virtual classroom will be implemented. Unlike the e-learning program where learners read texts online, in this modality learners can interact with the instructor as lectures and demonstrations are done in real-time using social media and other online platforms.

During the meeting, several suggestions from the staff further improved the proposal. Among which was the management and monitoring of the virtual classroom which will be patterned from the School-on-the-Air (SOA) program wherein ATI identifies coordinators at the local government units to assist during the pre-, on and post sessions. It was also agreed that duration will be shortened to avoid technical problems and information overload, incentives will be provided both for the coordinators and learners, and start-up kits will also be distributed for free to ensure application of learning at home and impact of the project.

This new learning modality is expected to lessen government expenses since it will not entail catering services, dormitory expenses, and high expenses in water, electricity, travel, fuel and oil, among others. However, the center admits it is still exploratory and needs to be pilot tested before it will fully roll on the 3rd quarter of 2020. Things like materials needed, modules and scripts, and even resource persons have to be prepared and arranged first. Moreover, possible roadblocks like ICT capability, lack of internet connection or weak signal, availability of smartphones, computers and internet load cards have to be addressed to ensure success in the implementation.

With still unclear future over the COVID-19 pandemic, Director Calonzo emphasized the need to adapt and accept new changes. He said that once people get over with things they normally do like face-to-face interactions, attending mass graduations and get use to practices like social distancing, wearing of masks or participating in online instructions, only then they can say that they have established the new normal.