LASALLIAN FORMATION FROM A DISTANCE: THE ONLINE FORMATION PROGRAMS OF SELECTED PHILIPPINE LASALLIAN SCHOOLS

Abstract

Lasallian accompaniment is a general term for “all expressions of fraternal care and concern that support a person on his or her formative journey” in a Lasallian institution. It is an essential element of every Lasallian formation program. But the suspension of face-to-face classes due to the COVID-19 pandemic made accompaniment in Lasallian schools particularly challenging. Lasallian schools tried to adapt to the challenges by implementing online formation programs. This is an uncharted territory for Lasallian schools. Thus, this basic qualitative study describes the experiences of nine Lasallian formators and administrators from selected Lasallian schools in the implementation of their online Lasallian formation programs. It employed the SOAR analysis approach which specifically focused on four factors – strength, opportunities, aspirations, and results – relative to the implementation of those programs. Several themes were identified under each of the four factors. This study also provides suggestions for the improvement of online Lasallian formation programs and underscores the possibility of a blended formation program that utilizes both face-to-face and online activities during the “new normal”.