Changes, Challenges, and Opportunities in Teaching Senior High School Earth Science amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) has prompted the shift from traditional face-to-face instruction to new methods in online platforms. As national governments enforce public health measures to minimize the risk of the virus’ transmission, learning institutions grapple with the new norms in education. Teachers are finding ways to address the changes attendant to the current situation. Old practices have to be revisited and recalibrated to fit the demands of a global community in a pandemic. This paper describes my personal reflections on the adjustments caused by the pandemic in my practice as an Earth science educator and some of the ways to possibly address them. Changes in plans due to suspension of laboratory activities and postponement of off-campus activities necessitate the search for equally effective alternatives through online teaching. Amidst the COVID-19 pandemic, teachers, students, parents, and all stakeholders are expected to respond proactively to the needs of the time. Changes and challenges can be turned into opportunities that will provide quality education during this uncertain period.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Earth science
• geoscience education
• online distance learning
• science education
• teaching

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