Chapter 1

BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY

Introduction

Education builds an overlapping impact in terms of your career track and to your
credibility as a human being. It enhances your ability as well as your personal growth, challenges
your limits, and pushes you beyond your boundary. With the Covid-19 pandemic letting the
"new normal" arise around the globe, gadgets became our cardinal source of education. Online
Distance Learning was then established as the education being the centerpiece and priority
amidst the pandemic. At present, Online Distance Learning has become in demand for each one
of us as we are all continuing the process of education.

The world of education (not all the schools) performs and practices Online Distance
Learning with the advent of technology and gadgets that became their solution of teaching and
adapting knowledge. Students' and mentors' time is within their hands as Sgreat flexibility and
better time management are being visualized on this current way of education. With this being
held, mentors can execute an effective teaching method, and students can dedicate their time in
learning various lessons to study efficaciously.

According to hikvision/newsroom/blog, "The cost and flexibility benefits are clear –

with teachers being able to teach classes in different places, and even students forced to stay at
home. This is probably why the topic of using technology to enhance learning, and more
importantly, access to learning is being encouraged around Europe." More than 96% plan to use
distance online learning after the pandemic, according to the recent EU polling report
educators[1]. It proves that Online Distance Learning is a great and valuable tool in education,
whereas some educators and students prefer this.

However, discouragement might arise havocking every student's studies as there are
various noticeable difficulties regarding Online Distance Learning. In consideration of the
student's role in this area, it is essential to know their opinions regarding this new way of
education, that they are physically, mentally, and emotionally stable, and especially being
healthy to have an outstanding performance in academic.

Following the step that leads to an outstanding performance in education, Saint

Ferdinand College, a Catholic Institution, also aims for an effective and quality education that
leads to a positive progression of education. As we, SFC Junior High School researchers, aim to
solve a particular problem, our research team chose this study because we believe that pros and
cons exist in every situation. It is our privilege to find out what needs to retain and what requires
improvement to conclude an efficient acquiring knowledge and a quality education amid the
pandemic.
Statement of the Problem

This study shall attempt to solve problems and determine the advantages and
disadvantages of online distance learning to the junior high school students of Saint Ferdinand
College, City of Ilagan.

More specifically, it aims to provide answers to the following questions:

1. What is the respondents' demographic profile in terms of:

a. Sex

b. Age

c. Grade Level

2. What are the positive and negative effects of Online Distance Learning?

3. What factors cause the experiences to highlight the pros and cons of online distance learning
in terms of the following?

a. Knowledge

b. Flexibility

c. Health

d. Accessibility
Statement of Purpose

The purpose of the study aims to:

1. Find out the demographic profile of the respondents as to sex, age, and grade level.
2. Identify the positive and negative impacts of Online Distance Learning on the
respondents.
3. Find out the factors that cause the students' educational experiences to emphasize the
advantages and disadvantages of online distance learning in terms of knowledge,
flexibility, health, and accessibility.
Research Objectives

Specific Objectives

1. The researchers will conduct a survey with the questions regarding to the
demographic title of the respondents as to sex, age, and grade level.
2. To determine the effects of online distance learning to the respondents by a
survey.
3. To determine the students’ experiences in online distance learning as to
knowledge, flexibility, health, and accessibility.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study

This study shall focus on the advantages and disadvantages of online distance learning
and how different circumstances students encounter can affect their academic performance. Its
main goal is to identify the obstacles and drawbacks of Online Distance learning so that we are
able to recognize the issues of this topic and discover ways to correct these problems.

Students' overall satisfaction with this form of learning will be determined by the use of a
survey with a 19-question survey and a limit of 839 respondents that focuses on four main
elements: Demographic Profile in terms of sex, age and grade level; Knowledge which
describes students experience with learning and acquiring education; Flexibility, describes
whether the program or schedule is convenient and available for students; Health, describes the
students well-being and state of mind; Finally, Accessibility which describes if the necessities
are attainable and is within reach for all students.

This survey will be dispersed to the 839 junior high school students of Saint Ferdinand
College, City of Ilagan, from Grade 7 to 10 in order to identify whether they are struggling or
facing any complications with this new way of attaining their education. Using the information
received from the survey, the researchers will be able to acknowledge the pros and cons that can
help improve the understanding of the research topic and enhance the quality of education.
Conceptual Framework

For a more precise understanding of the goals of this study, theories and concepts are
inputted. Many students who typically engage in face-to-face learning formats have now had to
make a sudden transition to online learning. 1 It must also be acknowledged that students differ
in their ability to thrive and flourish rather than struggle as a result of online learning. 2
Vygotsky3 examined how our social environments influence the learning process. He suggested
that learning takes place through the interactions students have with their peers, teachers, and
other experts.

The learning day can be extended by computer technology. Students’ learning can be
supported by access to computer technology.4 Students learn even if they are separated from
their instructors by space and/or time.5 The restriction of lockdowns hinders the institutions
from conducting face-to-face classes and limits the teachers from weekdays meetings. The
current situation affects and alters the way of acquiring and providing knowledge that became
possible through the advent of high-tech materials.

One of the major consequences of the transition to online learning is its impact on student
health, specifically sleep habits. Students in different time zones than their institutions are now
sacrificing sleep to wake up for classes on Zoom.6 Students have diverse capabilities or abilities,
which affects their willingness to finish their activities in their desired time. It also relates to the
length of time they will consume to accomplish a particular task or school work independently.

1 Martin, F., Ahlgrim-Delzell, L., & Budhrani, K. (2017). Systematic review of two decades (1995 to 2014) of
research on synchronous online learning. American Journal of Distance Education.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/08923647.2017.1264807?journalCode=hajd20
2 Yang, D., Baldwin, S., & Snelson, C. (2017). Persistence factors revealed: Student’s reflectons on
completing a fully online program. Distance Education.
https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/01587919.2017.1299561?journalCode=cdie20
3 Vygotsky, L.S. (1962). “Thought and Language”, Cambridge, MA: MIT Press. (Original work published in
1934)
4 Drayton, B., Falk, J. K., Stroud, R., Hobbs, K., & Hammerman, J. (2010). After installation: Ubiquitous
computing and high school science in three experienced, high-technology schools. Journal of Technology,
Learning, and Assessment, 9(3)
5 Edge, W. D., and Loegering, J. P. (2000). Distance education: expanding learning opportunities. Wildlife
Soc. Bull. 28, 522–533
6 Amrita Balram, How online learning can affect student health (April 20, 2020)
https://www.jhunewsletter.com/article/2020/04/how-online-learning-can-affect-student-health?
fbclid=IwAR3ieo441ckLkagngCUwIOrLHNJ9pbYtmZCjgpfqkyVGRpJK-_2hi5KavnU
 Alistair Duggin defines accessibility as “not something that is either true or false. It can
only be measured in relation to a specific ability or scenario. Something can be accessible to
some people while being inaccessible to others.” One may claim that the main thrust of
distance education is to bring education to those who are unreachable, under-resourced, less-
privileged, and inaccessible.7 Taken as such, distance education “reaches out to students
wherever they live or wish to study”. 8

The research paradigm illustrates the flow of this study. The study input is the students'
profile, which the researchers consider as an operant factor to one's learning experience,
convenience and availability, state of mind, and accessibility. The positive and negative effects,
and the factor's cause the learner experience are also considered as salient inputs to this study
results of which are necessary basis for advantageous and quality distance learning.

7 Biana, H. (2013). Reaching the unreached: philippine distance education and dislocation. J. Worldwide Forum
Educ. Cult. 4, 73–84.
8 Guri-Rosenblit, S. (2005). ‘Distance education’ and ‘e-learning’: not the same thing. High. Educ. 49, 467–493. doi:
10.1007/s10734-004-0040-40
Statement of the Hypotheses

1. The respondents' profile is significantly correlated to the advantages and

disadvantages of Online Distance Learning.
2. There is a significant relationship between mentors' way of teaching and students'
way of acquiring knowledge in Online Distance Learning.
3. The student's standard of living affects their education experiences in Online Distance
learning.
4. The students' environment has a significant effect on their studies.
5. The internet connection significantly affects the student's scheduled class and virtual
meeting via Zoom or GoogleMeet.
6. The students' wellness and stability affect their overall academic performance
distance learning.
Definition of Terms

The following terms are defined operationally to further clarify the important elements in
the study.

Awareness- Knowledge or perception of a situation or fact. Concern about and well-

informed interest in a particular situation or development.

Centerpiece- Refers to any central or important object in a collection of items.

Credibility- The quality of being trusted and believed in. The quality of being
convincing or believable.

Demographic Profile- Form of Demographic Analysis used by marketers so that they

may be as efficient as possible with advertising products or services and identifying any possible
gaps in their marketing strategy.

Drawback- A feature that renders something less acceptable; a disadvantage or problem.

Execute- Carry out or put into effect (a plan, order, or course of action).

Flexibility- Ability of a joint or series of joints to move through an unrestricted, pain free
range of motion.

Foresee- Be aware of beforehand; predict.

Havocking- Lay waste to; devastate.

Overlapping- Extend over so as to cover partly. cover part of the same area of interest,
responsibility, etc.

Priority- The fact or condition of being regarded or treated as more important. A thing
that is regarded as more important than another.

Specifically- In a way that is exact and clear; precisely.

Valuable- A thing that is of great worth, especially a small item of personal property.

Virtual- Not physically existing as such but made by software to appear to do

Significance of the Study

This study on the advantages and disadvantages of online distance learning among the
students of the Junior High School Department of St. Ferdinand College main is foreseen to be
of significance to the following:

School. The study's findings may lead to changes in the institution's approach to
providing excellent education to students and school competencies in the context of online
learning.

Administration. Results of the study would give awareness and understanding to the
various problems students come across in Online Distance Learning so that teachers and
employees can develop a way to adapt and fix these issues. Information gathered from this study
will also aid the administrators in organizing and creating a more comprehensive method of
teaching towards the students of this school and give them an all in all better education.

Teachers. The findings of the study may bring awareness to them of the things that they
need to enhance and retain in delivering their lessons. Information about the advantages and
disadvantages of online distance learning will help them to think of an effective way of making
their students engage in learning and how they will learn more effectively.

Guidance Office. The result of this study will help the guidance and office practitioners
in determining the Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Distance Learning. As this study is
all about the advantages and disadvantages of online distance learning that aims to achieve a
positive progression and an outstanding performance in education, this study will serve as a tool
in achieving an effective way of adapting knowledge through Online Distance Learning.

Parents. The study's findings may assist parents in understanding and appreciating the
benefits and drawbacks of online distance learning for their children. This will give them
information to help guide their child in the new flexible learning environment, allowing them to
devote more attention to them and solve their problems. It may also assist in identifying issues
with children and communicating them to the school or teachers.

Students. Findings may lead to the enlightenment of their understanding that can help
them promote their competency as students. Information about the advantages and disadvantages
of Online Distance Learning will enable them to practice well-balanced and proficient
performances that may enhance their experiences in the current way of education. Their latter
knowledge about this study will support their capability to organize and handle the cons that may
result in an obtainable and victorious distance learning.

Future Researchers. The results of the study can be used as a future reference in
conducting new research and better understanding related to Advantages and Disadvantages of
Online Learning. This study will also serve as a cross-reference that will give them a background
or an overview to the study which can possibly be improved or further studied.