#edu456

Tumblr might not really seem like a frequently used app nowadays but it's only because people don't actually realize how big it is actually. In my opinion, because Tumblr is a blog-based application, it has a really good potential to become a platform to relay news. The built-in writing format that Tumblr prepared makes it easier to highlights the key points in our writing.

For example, I'll list out the good points of Tumblr.

The built-in writing format in making a post is easy to use and access.

The variety of functions such as embedding pictures, videos, audios, or links made it easier for readers to view something without switching tabs.

The "under the cut" function allows writers to divide their writings, whether to highlight the introduction (like what I did on this post) or just to minimize their post so it doesn't appear too long in others feed.

The first problem that was encountered when the education system is preparing for the transition to online learning is the delay of all important examinations. Because of the sudden school closure, a lot of schools haven’t finished their syllabus yet. Added with the need to alter the syllabus and materials so that it is suitable to be delivered online, the academic schedule dragged on. As a result, the date of the examinations also needed to be moved. In Malaysia, the Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) was postponed for a few months and Malaysia is not the only one that had to postpone its important examinations. The same issue happened in China too where they had to postpone their college entrance examination for a month. Furthermore, it doesn’t only affect the grade that’s supposed to graduate but also the lower grades. This situation also applies to tertiary education. At the times when the schools, including universities were forced to closed, most universities are in their last few weeks in the semester. However, students were forced to immediately return home and resume their semester classes online. It was a hectic time for educators in trying to balance all the works. Thus, this is the first issue that was encountered before the online classes started to take full effect.

After all the schools have transitioned into online classes, there are new challenges that arose. Specifically, problems occur within the preparedness of the education system itself to adapt to online classes. For most countries, the school chose to continue the lesson online, and that includes the delivery of the lessons materials such as practices, notes and much more. However, for schools whose students do not have the means to 100 percent produce necessary tools for complete online learning, they have to switch things a little bit. This is the case with schools in Philippines where 98 percent out of their 24 723 533 elementary and high schools that were affected by the new normal resorted to using printed modular distance learning. There are a lot of concerns and issues surrounding this method. Their biggest concern is how the schools and their stockholders are going to be able to continuously generate more resources to supply the bulk printing of the learning materials. Since they need to print out everything, the cost, time, and human resources of the school is really tested. There are also some problems with erroneous contents because of the rush in preparing the materials. In other words, while they are able to deliver the lessons online, the materials for practicing the lesson are not entirely as easy to deliver. Hence, this is another concern that occurs during the implementation of this new normal.

Last but not least, after a year has passed in the pandemic, teachers and students alike have slowly started to adapt to the new normal of online learning. Unfortunately, it doesn’t really go as smoothly as expected and there are unavoidable problems amongst the students and educators. The government had tried its best to ensure that all the students will be able to attend the online classes. For example, North Korea had tried to produce a high-tech education which is adaptive online learning software that is AI-assisted so that students can have their own personal learning experience and also reduce the burden on teachers. However, it can’t be denied that there is a gap for students that can’t afford the high-tech education software. Other than this, common problems such as Internet connection problems and inadequate gadgets are unavoidable because not every region in a country is fully developed. It is unfortunate to witness the struggle of students and teachers in rural areas who had to resort to extreme measures to even attend a class. Taking an example of a Malaysian student, Veveonah, who climbed, built a temporary shelter, and stayed overnight on top of a tree just to make sure she has a strong enough Internet connection to take her examination. Therefore, it is clear that after this new normal of online learning implemented, there are still problems that can’t be avoided.