MAJORITY of students feel that online learning is the way to go in continuing their education.
This was the finding during the two-week active Learning Enrichment Program (LEP) organized by Thames International Business School, the country’s first international college offering United Kingdom-based programs, to check on the online learning effectiveness in the country’s setting.
Sheila Dingcong, Thames International College dean, said the study conducted in May 2020 was participated by nine schools nationwide including STI colleges in Gen. Santos City, South Cotabato and University of the Cordilleras in Baguio City in Benguet.
Dingcong said 64 percent of the participants said online learning suffices as an alternative to the continuation of education.
But these students said learning materials used for online classes should also be visual, clear and accessible.
There should also be a maximum of three classes per day with one hour duration per class.
The student participants also said they prefer to work on just one deadline per subject per week and prefer social activities.
Some students also requested to have a quiet place to study at home and hoped that their connectivity issues can be addressed and the “sharing” of computers will be lessened.
The study also said they prefer collaboration and knowledge networking with classmates such as group work and projects including combining both asynchronous and live sessions work for students.
However, some students still prefer face-to-face learning as weak internet connection makes following lessons difficult.
Adjustments of teacher-student roles in a virtual classroom has also been an issue for students including lack of “netiquettes” or leaving a class randomly without permission.
Some students said they feel isolated at times in online learning.
Likewise, teachers who participated in the study expressed having a feeling of disconnection with their students at certain parts in the LEP.
Teachers also said online learning is not easier for a 21st century teacher as it needs more time, effort and heart “to bridge the impersonal space of the virtual world” for them to be able to reach out to their students. / WBS