UP Baguio Starts Remote Classes On September 10

August 16, 2020 JUST IN

BAGUIO CITY (August 16, 2020) – Classes at the University of the Philippines in Baguio for first semester of school year 2020-2021 starts on September 10.

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, Junley Lazaga of the UP Baguio Public Affairs Office said.
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, Lazaga added.
The UP System administration has earlier determined that courses for the semester will be delivered through remote mode, with very few exemptions.
As part of the preparations for the upcoming opening of classes in a new mode of delivery for most of the academic units, UP faculty tap their collective and individual creativity in the course redesign efforts, mindful of 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.
Lazaga said 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 are also carefully addressed, the UP Baguio Public Affairs Office vowed.
To assist the colleges in these academic requirements for a successful roll-out of what is considered a universal transition in the academe, faculty members attend online trainings and webinars.
These retooling and enhancement exercises include both 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.”
Among the concrete outputs for these preparations are the course packs for all courses offered for the first semester. These course packs which will be given to students before the start of classes include a course guide with a detailed course syllabus, learning resources, activity guides, and assignment guides. Integrated in the academic nature of these materials is the consideration of the learners and the learning context specific to these times sudden shifts and various challenges.
Thorough planning of content and modalities of delivery, curating of learning resources and designing leaning activities, as well as planning of assessment all go into each course pack which will be distributed to students 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 keeping in mind the high level of anxiety due to local and global situations brought about by the pandemic, psychosocial support systems and mechanisms in place in UPB have been enhanced to include massive use of telecommunication and online channels.
In line with the full online delivery for the semester, the UPB Committee on Transition to Remote Learning has also been looking into the technology support requirements including 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 looked into, including the activation of the computer loan program.
To support the technological capability of students, the “Kaagapay UP Baguio” program has been organized, 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.
Lazaga 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. He said they are also welcoming donations in cash or in kind.
Artemio A. Dumlao