LEARNER'S PERCEPTIONS ON ONLINE LEARNING;

LEARNER'S PERCEPTIONS ON FACE-TO-FACE LEARNING

COVID - 19 Virus has changed the world. December 2019, the outbreak of novel coronavirus,
known as COVID-19.

It has been 3 years since this novel coronavirus came and transmitted all over the world within
few months. Whereby the government decided to declare country's lockdown and people
undergoes home quarantine and Isolation. This pandemic exacerbated poverty, especially to
poorer communities, it has big impact on education sector. The education system has faced an
unprecedented health crisis that has shaken it's foundation. The COVID-19 pandemic has
affected the lives of all learners in the Philippines since March 2020.

Two years ago, the Philippine Government and Department of Education (DepEd) decided to
transit the modality of learning from conventional “face-to-face” learning, to “blended learning".
Whereas, the students doing their studies at home using various device and appliance. This
Global Pandemic really affects the students financially, mentally, socially, psychologically. In
two years of blended learning, they have experienced and suffered from depression, anxieties,
stress, mental and physical breakdowns because, it was really hard for them to cope with the
situation particularly in such situation that they are not accustomed. Some of them have decided
to stop with their studies for a year because of lack of self-confidence and life's status. The
students struggled a lot on online learning. We all know that there are some places that there
was no internet connection and low internet connection. So, they have to go somewhere else
which there was a fast internet connection in order that they can join their online classes and
meetings. Aside from low internet connection or unstable Internet, They also struggled in terms
of Online interaction because most of them do not have a good place or space to study. Online
learning gave them a lot of pressure, stress and cramming due to many activities that they need to
finish in just limited time-frame. They can't able to understand the lesson well and because of
that they overthink. Most of the students are not really learning their lessons. They are just
answering it for the sake of complying the requirements in school to pass the quarter or semester.
Some of the students can't manage their time well because of so many factors that might affect
their attentions on answering their learning activities. There are different factors which can
hinder students to focus their attention in learning. Because, before they became the students in
school, they are offspring, siblings and grandchildren in their homes with responsibilities that
they need to take upon oneself. With this situation, sometimes they didn't bother to read their
lessons because their attention is on something or someone else. That's the reason why the
students became dependent individuals they are more likely to use learning applications or
platforms like google to easily look for the answers to their learning activities than reading the
materials and books.

Although, there are plenty of disadvantages studying online there are also some advantages of
online learning, like, you can do other activities and find side hustle, you just need to join in
Google meet for the attendance then you can do whatever you want. That's why some students
are in favor of online learning especially the students who has works. Even though they're having
difficulties to study by themselves, it was convenient for some because online learning gives
them more time to do different things. Eventually, most of them coped and survived the situation
by embracing time management and avoiding procrastination.

In the opening of face-to-face classes, students had to adjust with the new situation. A lot of
students are still working on their social health, it is really hard for them to socialize with others
because of what had happened in that two years of quarantine. You can see students walking
alone, eating alone studying alone and not socializing with others most of the time. They have
social and trust issues. They're just sitting at the corner while scrolling their phones, not like
before pandemic that if you have people around you, especially friends, you will communicate
with them. They prefer working and studying alone than to be with circle of people. Everything
has changed because of what happened. This recurrences of face-to-face classes really stricken
the financial aspect of the students, especially, to those students who's far away from their
school. The fare increased a lot because of limited passenger and continuous hike of fuel prices
and other commodities. It's too hard to manage your time in your study if you don't have enough
budget and also it triggered their stress but Blended and Online learning thought them to become
more thrifty.

Nevertheless, with this recurrences of Face-to-face classes they will be enlighten more and fill
the gap between their knowledge and lesson properly. This is an effective way to learn the
lessons and improve the student's skills because reading, writing, presentations, reports,
discussions, group works, video clips, demonstration, practices, etc. will frequently feasible.
They will not hesitate to ask about certain topic that they don't clearly understand, they can ask
and access for more examples, details, data, information, and get ideas from their teachers and
classmates to gain greater understanding.

They will become an independent and responsible students, the students with an open and
extensive mind. With this regression of face-to-face classes the students will be engaged in
different extracurricular activities, that will help them to boost their self confidence, be
disciplined, respectful, participate, cooperate, communicate and collaborate with others. In no
time, these introvert people will be good in socializing. This new normal situation will help them
more to grow as a student and a human being. They will surely enjoy their life as a student and
make a lot of happy memories that will treasure forever. As a final note, this COVID really had a
really big impact on education system. Though, this event makes the education system
gumptious and stronger as well as its learners to cope and survive the future threats.