Parental Webinar: Supporting Children’s Online Classes

Parental Webinar: Supporting Children’s Online Classes
By Dian Mantiles; Jake Michael Antonio

Arellano University (AU), in its mission to provide quality education, held its very first Parental Webinar for the parents of the Pre-school to Junior High school students last 13 September 2020, Sunday.

In the official Facebook page of Arellano University, a two-hour long webinar via Facebook live titled, Parenting Webinar: Supporting Children’s Online Classes, ensured the continuity of quality education through its new system of learning called
‘Learning Management System’ (LMS) for the school year 2020-2021 that can be accessed online. The event reached more than 16, 000 viewers coming from the different AU campuses.

Mr. John Jesus Manuel, an Arellano alumnus, hosted the event. He started off with welcoming the participants to the webinar. He then discussed the courses that AU offers under academic, non-academic, and specialized programs of different departments.

Shortly after, the host turned the moment over to Dr. Eduardo Dela Cruz Jr. who is the Assistant Vice President for Basic Education and Dean in College of Education from the Juan Sumulong Campus. Dr. Dela Cruz has delivered important guidelines
on how parents can support their children as they continue their education in the new normal.

“Because of the pandemic, many normal things came on our way. We believe that you, the parents, have the greatest roles in making our kids learn in a normal way.
This is the reason why we have this webinar,” Mr. Dela Cruz remarked on his opening statement as appreciation to the parents who enrolled their children despite the soaring changes in education carried by the effect of the pandemic.

Moving forward, the host formally welcomed the guest speaker from the University of the Philippines Diliman, Professor Ched Arzadon (UP Assistant Professor and Advocate to Alternative Learning System and Alternative Delivery Modes) to discuss
on how parents or guardians can properly identify their role as they guide their children in the new normal mode of education.

Prof. Arzadon initially expressed her appreciation to become part of the first-ever webinar for parents conducted by AU. She then briefly expounded on the idea of how parents can facilitate home-based learning for their child. Thereafter, she presented
the results from a conducted survey of administration that was broadly answered by parents. It showed the parents’ work arrangement wherein: (1) parents who work from home, had a proportion of 25.4%, which is second to the highest, and (2) non-
working parents with 29.1 %, being the highest.

The effects brought by the pandemic to families were also discussed by Professor Arzadon as well as the duration of time to be spent by parents to guide their kids in online learning. Also, various opportunities in terms of family bonding and the
chance to have enough rest are likely to come while the world is facing this crisis. It is essential for parents to spend quality time with their children throughout the pandemic, especially with the new environment of education.

The potential risks of the COVID-19 pandemic have strained many universities to transition into gearing with the new normal way of learning. This transition to online learning has become a challenge to both parents and students for it has made a
sudden change over many things. The challenge is not only associated with academic productivity but also highlights on the importance of students’ welfare through the proper guidance of their parents and guardians.