The Extent of the Challenges in Online Learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic

The study aimed at identifying the profile of the respondents and the challenges in online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic experienced by the students in the College of Education at the Nueva Ecija University of Science and Technology during the first semester of the academic year 2020-2021. The identified challenges were slow internet connectivity; using data only; gadget used; noise environmental/surroundings/distractions; financial/budget considerations; technical issues; lack of in-person interaction; understanding course expectations; time management; staying motivated; and uncertainty about the future. The 299 students were asked to accomplish a customized questionnaire prepared by the researchers to get the profile variables and the challenges encountered during the COVID-19 Pandemic through “google forms.” Only 212 responded due to their limitations. The responses were downloaded from the google forms in the spreadsheet format. The quantitative and qualitative methods were used in analyzing and interpreting the data. Most respondents are Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education students. They are first-year females and fall within 20 years old and below. All the identified challenges were verbally described as “Very High Extent.” The students’ topmost challenges were noise/environmental distractions, technical issues, and slow internet connection. Course expectations and uncertainly about the future were the minor challenges in online learning during the COVID-19 Pandemic. The challenge on “staying motivated” is significantly correlated with their “course”, and “used data only” with their age and year-level. Although, the overall result shows no significant relationship between the profiles of the respondents and the challenges in online learning. There should be a student’s needs assessment on internet connection and equipment needed to meet the demands of the online classes before the opening of classes. Alternative delivery of instruction must be prioritized, students must be allowed to practice their skills, free themselves from the noise/environmental distractions, free-webinar lecture on troubleshooting technical issues they experienced in online learning, and a review and revision of the syllabus of instruction should be prioritized.