Online/ offline training or Blended Learning Mode is now available for seafarers. You can now apply for or renew your SCTW certificates despite the raging coronavirus pandemic.
Distance learning, which is new to the industry, will help us get our COP and COC much faster.
The Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) launched its Blended Learning Advisory last August 10, 2020.
There, they discuss guidelines for the implementation of new training methods under the General Community Quarantine (GCQ).
Lately, they also extended our expired COP and COC certificates to one year.
What is Blended Learning?
Blended learning is a combination of distance learning and face-to-face education.
Traditionally, Maritime Training Institutions (MTI) operate in a 100% classroom-led method of teaching. Blended learning changes that landscape.
Through this type of learning, training centers now adopt an alternative mode of delivering courses.
Fundamentally, your training will undergo two phases; an eLearning online or distance approach and a physical interaction between students and instructors.
How is Blended Learning Conducted?
Interestingly, one element of blended learning is distance learning. The strategy includes sending out modules or handouts to students as one method.
Here, MTIs shall conduct the eLearning components over the Internet using digital platforms or Learning Management Systems (LMS).
The second aspect of this mode of learning is the face-to-face interaction.
As per MARINA’s Advisory, training centers must deliver practical exercises and assessments like the traditional classroom environment.
For instance, the place of interaction could either be in the main office or practical site.
Accordingly, MARINA advises that the content of face-to-face classes shall not in any way be reduced to 50%.
Permit to Operate
MARINA only allows MTIs with an approved Post Enhanced Community Quarantine Operations Plan to conduct Blended Learning Mode.
Before they can operate, they must submit a self-assessment certificate and pertinent documents to stcw_accre@marina.gov.ph.
Seafarers are advised to enroll only in training centers approved by MARINA’s Accreditation Division. The provisional authority granted to them is valid for 6 months.
This will be under monitoring and surveillance. However, this is subject to change until MARINA issues further guidance.
Blended Learning Infrastructure
The face-to-face aspect of this program is already built. Thus, MTIs only need to place additional health and safety guidelines to cope with the pandemic.
You must expect that training centers will require you to wear face masks and face shields, do social distancing, and do proper hand washing.
Also, training centers will create the infrastructure for distance learning.
They must provide the trainee access to printed or digital instructional materials through couriers, designated pick-up points, or digital platforms.
Engagement
We may have questions throughout the course of our training. Therefore, MTIs shall establish means for trainee-instructor engagement or communication.
To illustrate, this includes SMS, emails, chats, instant messages, and many others convenient to all parties.
Indeed, having closed-loop communication ensures personalized, effective, efficient, and timely monitoring. This also helps in collecting feedback from the instructors, trainees, and supervisors.
Equipment
Blended learning is only possible with the application of today’s technology.
Thus, both the training centers and trainees are required to maximize the use of tech to support learning and teaching.
Devices must be available for accessing the content; gadgets, phones, tablets, or laptops.
Operating systems and internet connectivity must also be fast and reliable. Lastly, MTI must set up digital platforms or LMS.
MTIs with Blended Learning License
There are already a few training centers with granted permission from MARINA to operate this method. Upon research, here are a few of them.
- Far East Maritime Training Center
- NEWSIM- New Simulator Center of the Philippines
- PNTC Colleges Maritime Training Center
- COMPASS Training Center, Inc.
- CREST Maritime Assessment and Training Center
MTIs listed above are the result of my personal research.
If your training center has a license to operate in blended learning mode, kindly keep in touch with Seaman Memories via email at seamanmemories@gmail.com.
Conclusion
Blended learning is an efficient way of accessing training courses. Truly, our family time is always filled with unlimited training and assessments. Blended learning will lighten our burden.
I think this method should have been done many years ago. However, the technology before may not support such kind of learning.
Online technology with its penetration in our country may pose a challenge. Our internet connection is still one of the slowest in the world.
Even so, blended learning is one of the best things this coronavirus has done for us.
To conclude, what do you think about distance learning? Would you agree that blended learning would do more good than harm to our competency?
May the winds be in your favor.
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