The NSTP Diliman Office launched a series of Online Writeshops from July to September 2020 in order to equip its implementers for the transition to a remote mode of course delivery. The Office has been consistently conducting course improvement and redesigning activities for the past years through several trainings and writeshops, only this time, the writeshops participants – NSTP instructors and coordinators from different implementing units – had to migrate to and explore different means of remote and online collaboration platforms.
The NSTP Online Writeshops aimed to finalize the OBEdized Common Module Topics Syllabi, to craft OBEdized Component Courses Syllabi, and to devise recalibrated versions of the OBEdized Common Module and Component Courses Syllabi for Remote Learning. The online writeshops were conducted through group-led regular online meeting sessions, by continuous meetings and presentation of outputs, and with real-time document collaborations through Google Workspace. Dr. Rosella Torrecampo, NSTP Diliman Office’s resource person and consultant for its curriculum development activities, guided the groups in their writing and revision process.
The Phase 1 of the Online Writeshops which ran from July 27-August 24, 2020 was focused on the NSTP Common Module Topics. This module lays the foundation for NSTP Diliman courses as these are the set of topics discussed in all NSTP classes before students carry out community engagement projects in CWTS or LTS, or undergo military training in ROTC.
In order to ensure that participants are on the same page when it comes to course redesigning, the Office organized an initial output Zoom presentation and consultation session with Dr. Torrecampo. This meeting held last August 6, 2020 served as an avenue for participants to learn how other groups were working on their course redesigning. Dr. Torrecampo also shared specific comments for each group presentation as well as general considerations for all groups as she opened the floor for consultation. Moreover, the resource person delivered a short lecture on the difference of Assessment and Evaluation as this was an apparent concern across the different groups.
After three weeks of collaborative effort, all eight Common Module Topic Syllabi were presented and approved on August 24, 2020. The approval was done during the online writeshops’ plenary meeting and presentation. Aside from presenting their outputs, the groups also shared insights on how they recalibrated the syllabi to make learning materials and activities more effective and accessible for students.
After the Common Module online writeshops, the NSTP implementers started the second phase from August 17 to September 11, 2020. This time, the writeshops focused on the Component Courses – Civic Welfare Training Service (CWTS), Literacy Training Service (LTS), and on Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). CWTS and LTS implementers discussed that topics on Volunteerism and Community Engagement are necessary content. They agreed that these modules will be able to prepare the students for their project planning and implementation activities. Meanwhile, the ROTC implementers focused on basic military training as well as the introduction to Civil Military Operations (CMO). As for the course syllabi writing, the Writeshops participants relied on the existing syllabus they have on the said topics. Also, those who have prior experience in handling the courses shared the activities they usually do when they discuss those topics and included it in their respective matrices. To date, the three Component Course Syllabi are already updated but still need final revisions.
The NSTP Online Writeshops were a response to the UP Policy on the Second Semester, AY 2019-2020 that encouraged academic units to redesign courses and explore alternative ways of course delivery (4.4) and Memorandum No. OVPAA 2020-48 stipulations that highlight the importance of finalizing course alternatives and adjustments, developing bridging programs for students, and designing the mode of delivery for courses for the upcoming semesters. The outputs of the NSTP Online Writeshops serve as the starting point for the production of NSTP Knowledge Products and Instructional Materials open to the public on the NSTP Diliman YouTube account.
The NSTP Diliman Office, mandated to administer, manage, and coordinate all NSTP offerings and activities in UP Diliman, shall continue to spearhead initiatives and projects geared towards the improvement of NSTP courses in the university in order to instill an ardent sense of volunteerism and public service to the youth.
by Diana Arcega and Jillian Santos
