DEVC 202

TMA No.2

Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

November 13, 2021

Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

Flexible Learning with Focus on Communication during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has spurred an intensified online learning for countries

across the globe. In April 2020 alone, over 1.2 billion children are learning outside the

classroom (Li & Lalani, 2020). The sudden shift in environment from classroom to digital

learning posed many interesting studies including both students and teachers’

experiences, challenges, and attitudes on online learning. In this mini study, the

researcher aimed to determine how students communicate with their peers, teachers,

and classmates; describe the challenges they faced in flexible learning and discuss the

ways or strategies done to be successful in flexible learning; and explain the theoretical

underpinnings of their responses. The researcher followed a knowledge-attitude-

practice (KAP) survey in determining the how the students communicate for online

learning, determine the challenges they encountered, and their attitudes towards online

learning. Successful online learning strategies were also gathered from the participants.

The researcher then attempts to present how the pandemic and closing of schools

caused a shift from pedagogy (child-approach learning) to andragogy (adult learning) in

the respondents’ learning.

In online flexible learning, student participants utilize various online tools,

including social media applications. Most of the respondents use Google Suite and MS

Office in accessing content materials and in participating in live lecture classes.

Facebook is deemed easiest to use when communicating with their teachers,

classmates, peers, and sometimes even in sharing content. Many respondents found

online learning challenging and are having a hard time adapting. Some challenges

include having limited equipment (cellphones, laptops, other gadgets etc.,), having
Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

limited/unstable internet connection/data, health concerns (mental health), and lastly,

having many distractions at home (including chores, social media, family problems,

etc.,).

Respondent Demographics.

Participants in the study were 20 college students with ages ranging from 19-22

years old, many of which (80%) are second-third year students. Figure 1 and 2 below

shows the year level distribution.

Figure 1. Age Distribution of Respondents

5%
5%
10%

45%
35%

1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year 4th Year 6th Year
Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

Figure 2. Year Level Distribution of Respondents

Respondents vary in course being taken, around half of which are currently

enrolled in Engineering courses, particularly in Electrical Engineering and Computer

Engineering (8 respondents). Students taking IT Courses closely follow (5 respondents),

Communications/Multimedia, Education and Medical Courses (Nursing and Dentistry)

all have 2 respondents, and the remaining student is a Psychology student (Figure 3).

Communications/ Multimedia
5% 10%
Education Courses
10%
IT Courses
40%
25% Medical (Nursing/Dentistry)

10% Engineering (EE, Computer

Engineering)

Psychology

Figure 3. Courses of Respondents

The varied distribution of courses can be of interest for further studies on how

courses such as engineering and medical courses, which require a more hands-on

approach in learning, fares in an online set up. Comparisons can also be made with the

other courses on IT, Communication, and Education which generally are easier to

deploy and learn online.

Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

Meanwhile, respondents in this study came from both Public/State Universities

and Private Schools. These include the following: Polytechnic University of the

Philippines-Sto Tomas, Laguna State Polytechnic University, Tanauan City College,

University of the Philippines Open University. Private schools include Malayan Colleges

Laguna, University of the East, and Lyceum of the Philippines- Laguna.

Figure 4. Respondents’ Type of School/ University

It also is a subject of interest to compare how respondents from Public/State

Universities versus respondents from Private schools adapt to online learning, as those

in private school respondents indicated their school utilizing Learning Management

Systems (LMS) such as Blackboard Learn, Moodle, and Edmodo. Meanwhile, those in

Public/State schools have claimed to use free Software as a Service (SaaS) apps such

as Google Suite and MS Office.

Communication

Communication is intensified especially in online flexible learning. Most education

systems have adopted online means of communications (combination of online tools

Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

and other widespread remote learning materials i.e., tv and radio) as alternative to face-

to-face teaching and learning (OECD, 2020). Students and teachers alike rely on their

ICT devices (mobile phones, laptops, etc.,) to communicate with each other. Although

digital media has improved teaching and learning experiences over the last few years,

it’s dynamic and unbound nature is needed now more than ever (Alawamleh, et al.,

2020). Internet users in the Philippines alone, increased by 4.2 million between 2020

and 2021 (DataReportal, 2021). The fact also remains that the Philippines has the most

social media and internet usage worldwide (Chua, 2021).

Technology today has enabled student learners to participate in online learning

even if just through a smartphone or mobile device. This proves true for the

respondents as all of them claim to have their own smartphones (see Figure 5).

20%

45%
15%

100%

Laptop Smartphone PC/ Computer Ipad/ Tablet

Figure 5. Devices Respondents’ Own

Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

These smartphones were also used by majority of the respondents to

communicate with their teachers, classmates, peers, and even accessing their course

materials. Other uses include social media and gaming (See Figure 6).

25

20

15

10

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Figure 6. How Respondents Use their Smartphone

Challenges

The sudden transition to online pedagogy education as a result of COVID-19 has

exposed some inequalities and challenges:

-compare challenges like in challenges in distance learning

Strategies for Successful Flexible Learning

Time management

-compare strategies in distance learning

Implications of Flexible Learning

-
Jean Andrea DJ. Galang

-Shift from pedagogical to andragogical leanring