Chapter 1

The Problem

Introduction

The COVID-19 pandemic became a major problem of the world nowadays. New normal

set up was being observed around that was very different from the past without the pandemic. It

brought a lot of changes to the world and to the lives of everyone.

Many sectors affected by this pandemic and one of this sectors is education. The COVID-

19 pandemic creates a big change to the educational system around the world.

The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has caused an unprecedented crisis in all

areas. In the field of education, this emergency has led to the massive closure of face-to-face

activities of educational institutions in more than 190 countries in order to prevent the spread of

the virus and mitigate its impact.

In the sphere of education, many of the measures that the region’s countries have adopted

in response to the crisis are related to the suspension of face-to-face classes at all levels, which

has given rise to three main areas of action: the deployment of distance learning modalities

through a variety of formats and platforms (with or without the use of technology); the support

and mobilization of education personnel and communities; and concern for the health and overall

well-being of students.

Due to the rising cases of COVID-19 virus, there are learning intervention implemented

in schools. The Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on Higher Education

(CHED) ensure that education continues amidst of the pandemic. The face to face system of

education was prohibited. Most transactions between students and teachers happens in

synchronous and asynchronous manners. Online learning and modular learning began to operate

as the best way to pursue one's education.

Online learning and modular learning are the forms of learning that takes place via

internet. It allows students to download their lessons, answer, study at home and access

educational materials online. With this kind of learning, learners can review and study ahead,

track their learning progress, collaborate with their classmates and connect with their teachers

anytime.

Now that the education system steadily adapts to the new normal, online learning helps

the learners continue their education safely at home. It is convenient for students since they do

not have to go out anymore to attend their classes and worry about their school allowance and

transportation expenses. All learning materials can also be accessed online thus making it easier

for them to study their lessons.

Difficulties are often an avoidable but important part of the learning process. Challenges

in the learning process are present.

It addresses an issue that has become progressively evident in digital learning

environments. It explores the difficulties in attempting to understand and account the struggles

students' experience while learning.

Running into problems and difficulties while learning is often accompanied by an

emotional response. A clear example of how emotion can impact on the learning process is

where it creates an obstacle to learning.

 The prolonged closure of schools due to the COVID-19 crisis has transformed

stakeholders’ relationship to both schools and learning content. Although some students

continued their education, many deprived of adequate opportunities to do so and often lacked

essential services and tools such as technological equipment or learning support services.

Among other things, internet connectivity is not as fast. One student who was forced to

climb mountain to be able to take online quiz, desperately trying to connect to the internet via

cell data. (Ethan Mosuela 2020)

Students were not able to join remote classes due to lack of internet access or devices

such as mobile phone, laptop, and computer or because they had to take an additional jobs and

home responsibilities during this time.

Perhaps the most common challenge students face in online degree programs is the lack

of face-to-face engagement with professors and other students. Online courses are typically

conducted through a virtual learning platform. This platform may include reading materials,

assignments, and even a forum or chat room for class discussions. Professors can provide course

instruction in a variety of ways, such as by sharing slide show presentations, posting videos of

recorded lectures, or even streaming lectures live.

However, despite the range of ways instructors can foster student engagement, some

students simply do not find a virtual classroom as engaging as a traditional one. The lack of in-

person communication can become problematic for students who are struggling to understand

course material, according to The New York Times.

Besides increasing the difficulty of interpreting the material, the lack of engagement can

leave students feeling isolated. That is because education is not only an academic pursuit; it is
social. Isolation brought on by the lack of peer-to-peer and student-instructor interaction can

bring on depression. That, in turn, can make concentrating on assignments difficult, decrease the

ability to organize thoughts and disrupts memory.

Discouraging to locate an assigned video and begin to watch it, only to have that

annoying buffering circle begin to spin in the center of the screen. Aside from a computer, a

reliable and fast Internet connection is the most important beginning point for an online course or

program. If the signals are weak or the bandwidth too narrow to connect, there is no way to

succeed in online learning.

The researcher conducted this study in order to identify the common difficulties

encountered by selected 3rd Year BEED students of Daraga Community College in the new

educational system. These difficulties considered by students is a challenge or problems on the

new normal education. And to make readers to understand the importance of knowing these

difficulties encountered by students. Finally, respondents in this study involved only to the

selected 3rd year BEED students of Daraga Community College.