Our Lady of Fatima University introduces its new battle cry “Go, FLEX!” in its bid to deliver its quality brand of education, seamlessly and safely, in response to the challenging times posed by the current threat of the COVID-19 pandemic.
It’s All About FLEXing
FLEX stands for the Fatima Learning Experience which is all about employing flexibility and adaptability in learning modes. It will be a mix of Online, Distance and, when health conditions permit, On-Campus modalities. Whatever the modality, though, OLFU’s learning management system, Canvas, plays a big role in FLEX as it serves as the keeper of learning modules, assessment exercises, links to references, and much more.
Online sessions are always synchronous (the class altogether at one time) and may involve lectures (video conferencing or pre-taped), discussions, readings & reflections, webinars, third-party video materials, or assessment tasks like quizzes & exams.
On the other hand, Distance Learning is asynchronous (done on one’s own while at home) and self-directed, but still towards an end-goal or timeline set by the teacher. It can be online when a student reads modules on Canvas, or conducts research on the internet, or goes into reference resource hubs managed by the Learning Resource Center. When offline, Distance Learning can be about reading downloaded reading materials, writing papers, memorization, reflection on specific subject matter, or completing performance tasks such as projects, papers, essays, simple experiments, and the like.
When health and safety conditions permit, OLFU will reintroduce On-Campus Learning where face-to-face interaction between teacher and students can take place. At the moment, each OLFU Campus is already being prepared according to its Community Safety Policy which covers all entities who enter the Campus— students, teachers, employees, parents/ guardians, visitors, and academic and industry partners. Markings and signages are being installed to remind everyone of hygiene and social distancing protocols. The University’s Health and Wellness Center has also put guidelines in place for the continued safety of its students, teachers and employees.
SOST: Online and Distance Modalities
The Special Online Summer Term or SOST commences on 08 June 2020. With the government directive that on-campus classes may only commence no earlier than September this year, SOST students will experience a blend of online sessions and distance learning. There will be no campus interface. The terms will run for six weeks.
1st Semester SY 2020-2021
The 1st Semester will begin in August 2020 with purely Online and Distance Learning modalities.
Once the COVID-19 situation improves and the government deems the environment safe for students to be physically in school, OLFU will reintroduce On-Campus interface, but still blended in with Online and Distance Learning. This is projected to take place beginning September 2020 as announced by the national government.
Online Services to the Rescue
OLFU, in its bid to make the online experience as full-bodied as on-campus life, has transitioned some of its services online to keep responding to student needs.
Center for Guidance Services : The guidance services will continue to serve online—consultation, counseling, orientation, information services, focus group discussions, career placement, and more.
Learning Resource Center : Library resources can also be accessed online for research and readings. Teachers may also integrate reference materials on the Learning Management System to optimize students’ learning experience.
Laboratory Modules : Seamless online laboratory classes will also be conducted through OLFU’s partnership with a global knowledge provider of online laboratory modules.
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Yes, the FLEX will adjust to the call of the times. But whatever that may be, OLFU is sure to navigate its learners through the waters— fluidly and safely. Go, FLEX!
