The COVID-19 pandemic turned the world of education upside down. In early 2020, classrooms around the globe fell silent as lockdowns and health protocols took over. But while the school gates may have closed, the spirit of teaching and learning persevered—this time, through screens and digital platforms. What started as a temporary shift to online classes during a health crisis became a long-term transformation in how we deliver education, especially in mathematics.
When the Philippine education system pivoted to flexible learning, teachers faced enormous challenges. Mathematics—a subject known for its rigor and reliance on step-by-step visual explanations—was especially difficult to adapt. How do you teach algebra, calculus, or problem-solving without a board or in-person interaction? How do students show their solutions clearly through a screen?
Despite these hurdles, Filipino educators rose to the challenge. Platforms like Google Classroom, Zoom, and various educational apps were used not just to replicate classroom learning, but to rethink it. Teachers became learners themselves—attending webinars, collaborating online, and experimenting with tools to make math more accessible. Digital whiteboards, virtual manipulatives, recorded video lessons, and real-time quizzes became part of the new normal.
Yet, the transition was far from easy. Many students lacked reliable internet, gadgets, or quiet spaces to learn. Teachers juggled their own families and health concerns while preparing online lessons. The lack of resources, especially in rural areas, exposed educational gaps. But the pandemic also highlighted something even more powerful—resilience. Teachers found ways to reach out, simplify concepts, and maintain connections with learners in the most creative and heartfelt ways.
Today, as we move beyond the pandemic, the innovations born out of necessity continue to shape classrooms. E-Teaching and Learning in Mathematics has evolved into a sustainable tool, not just for emergencies, but for future-ready education. It promotes flexibility, creativity, and exclusivity—essential traits in modern teaching.
What began during a crisis has become a platform for continuous improvement. The pandemic taught us that while we may face disruption, learning never stops—it simply finds a new way forward.
References:
Abramovitz, B., Bererman, A., & Shvartsman. L. (2012). A blended learning approach in mathematics. In A. A. Juan, M. A. Huertas., S. Trenholm., & C. Steegmann. Teaching mathematics online: Emergent technology and methodologies (pp. 22-42). Retrieved July 4, 2014, from http://www.igi-global.com/chapter/blended-learning-approach-mathematics/57932?camid=4v1.
