PHINMA UNIVERSITY OF ILOILO

Rizal St. Iloilo City 5000

COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

Effectiveness of Flexible Learning to the

Education Students of University of Iloilo
A Case Study

A Thesis Presented to the Faculty of

College of Education Department
PHINMA University of Iloilo

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements in

Research in Education (580)

By
Rabacal, Rexzel
Quidato, Alessa May

Presented to:
Prof. Jireh Hechanova

1st Semester
SY 2021-2022
 Chapter 1

Introduction

Background of the Study

Typical learning usually happens inside the classroom setting and having face-to-
face interactions with their teachers and classmates. But everything changed when the pandemic
started; countries around the world were under lockdown to prevent spreading the virus. Many
establishments, infrastructures, business was closed and even schools and universities. The
health, economic and education system was highly affected by this. Most countries around the
world have temporarily closed educational institutions to contain the spread of the virus and
reduce infections (Tria, 2020). This has created an unprecedented crisis in the education sectors.

The Philippines is currently transitioning to a new normal type of education. The

Department of Education developed Flexible or Distance Learning to ensure educational
continuity and for each school to continue to fulfill its objective and vision of providing quality
education to every Filipino learner. The majority of schools and colleges have transitioned to
online and modular delivery of classes and evaluation to avoid the disruption of education
services, both teacher and learners are unprepared in terms of technology handling or
accessibility issues of online learning.

Flexible learning, which is frequently mentioned in this context, is a broad term with
different interpretations (Hrastinski, 2019). In a more general sense, flexible learning provision
should meet the diverse needs of learners and enable them to take more personal responsibility
for the learning process (Wade, 1994). Central to flexible learning are learners and their needs,
and the educational services on offer should allow them to decide for themselves what, when,
how and where they learn (Higher Education Academy, 2015).This learning modality is
currently used by all educational institutions because according to a survey conducted by the
Department of Education (DepEd), learning through printed and digital modules emerged as the
most preferred distance learning method of parents with children who are enrolled this academic
year (Dangle and Sumaoang, 2020). Many schools have already been adapted this practices even
before the pandemic started, those schools that are in an active learning.

According to Dangle and Sumaoang (2020) one of the benefits of using modules for
instruction is the acquisition of better self-study or learning skills among students. Students
engage themselves in learning the concepts presented in the module. They develop a sense of
responsibility in accomplishing the tasks provided in the module. With little or no assistance
from others, the learners progress on their own. The Philippine Education Quarterly (1985, as
cited by Figuerres, 1994) reported that modules can take the place of a teacher. These self-
learning devices help pupils to learn or acquire skills, knowledge and information in the absence
of a teacher. These materials provide sufficient reinforcement, enrichment and source materials.
They allow also the learner to work at a rate style and level situated to his capacity. Among the
forms of individualized instruction, modules are effective and economical in developing specific
knowledge and skills. Modules induce learning with minimum teacher direction and supervision.
Furthermore, these develop learning and grading strategies, improve classroom management
techniques, and encourage achievement for greater use of existing educational resources through
the establishment of realistic obtainable learning goals within an individualized program of
studies (Rillo, 1995).

A module is a self-contained, independent unit of instruction prepared for the purpose of

attaining specific instructional objectives. It is characteristically self-directing since it includes
instructions on how the various investigation will be pursued also included is a listing of the
materials and other resources that should accompany the text of the module. Classroom
instruction using modules is described as self-pacing where the pupil progress through the
learning tasks at his own rate (Salandanan, 2001).
 The key purpose of this study is to find out the factors that affecting the effectiveness of
this new Flexible learning and finding out possible interventions or solutions that may be useful
in to all educational institutions in providing assistance to teachers, students and parents who are
experiencing difficulties in the said learning set up.

Significance of the Study

The study's major goal is to figure out how successful modular distance learning is. The findings
provided useful insights and information for the following:

School Administrators and Staffs. This research will assist them in determining the
efficiency of modular learning as well as providing assistance to students who are having
difficulty answering and memorizing the modules.

Teachers. The information provided would assist teachers in identifying areas where
students are experiencing difficulty and providing suitable solutions.

Parents. Parents will understand the significance of parental involvement in modular

learning in order for it to be effective for students' academic achievements.

Students. Students will determine the most effective ways to learn in a flexible learning
environment, as well as address their challenges and provide appropriate solutions.

Future Researchers. This study will serve as an additional reference, providing them
with ideas and insights that will be useful in their research study
Scope and Delimitation

The purpose of this research is to determine the effectiveness of Flexible Learning for
PHINMA-University of Iloilo Education Students. In this study, 50 education students will serve
as respondents. Through an initial survey, the researchers considered working on this study to
learn about the effectiveness and challenges of flexible learning among the respondents. The
information required will be gathered through the use of checklist research questionnaires.

Definition of Terms

Flexible Learning - Flexible Learning is a set of educational philosophies and systems,

concerned with providing learners with increased choice, convenience, and personalization to
suit the learner. (Shurville et al., 2008)

In this study, flexible learning refers to the government's new learning setup, in which
students will attend their classes online or in modules to prevent the virus from spreading.