Barriers of Online Education in the New Normal: Teachers’ Perspectives
Abstract
This paper explores college instructors’ lived experiences in an online learning environment. This study employed a qualitative research design with the use of interpretative phenomenological analysis (IPA). Ten college instructors from various private universities were involved in this study, and they were from learning institutions that fully implemented online learning delivery. They were trained by the institutions on how to use their learning management systems and other learning tools. Due to the restrictions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the data collection was done online using a semi-structured interview guide that was validated and checked by research experts. One-on-one interviews and focus group discussions were conducted until data saturation was reached. Findings revealed various barriers experienced by students. First, they experienced technological barriers, such as lack of good internet connectivity, lack of devices, and lack of technical skills in manipulating the online platforms. Second, there were attitudinal barriers, which include procrastination in doing school tasks on time, poor time management, and feeling unmotivated. Lastly, they experienced environmental barriers, which relate to noisy surroundings, lack of workspaces, and a distracting online environment.
https://doi.org/10.26803/ijlter.21.1.3
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Abel, A. (2020, December 9). Help your students deal with digital distractions. Collegiate Parent. https://www.collegiateparent.com/student-life/dealing-with-digital-distractions/
Clemen, I. G., Ali, H., Abdulmadid, A-N., & Jabbar, J. H. (2021). Education during COVID 19 era: Are learners in a less-economically developed country ready for e-learning? ZBW – Leibniz Information Centre for Economics. https://www.econstor.eu/bitstream/10419/234960/1/Education%20During%20COVID-19%20Era%20Readiness%20of%20Students%20in%20a%20Less-Economically%20Develo.pdf
Al-Saadi, N. (2017). E-learning and its impact on future generations. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 17, 187-160. http://www.informingscience.com/Publications/3524
Arkorful, V., & Abaidoo, N. (2014). The role of e-learning, advantages, and disadvantages of its adoption in higher education. International Journal of Education and Research, 2(12), 397-410. https://www.ijern.com/journal/2014/December-2014/34.pdf
Balatayo, S., Almreia, T., Alborte, S., Nobleza, J., Ebora, M., & Oducado, R. (2021). Barriers towards online learning among graduate students in nursing in a Philippine higher education institution during the global COVID-19 outbreak. SSRN. https://ssrn.com/abstract=3927626
Bao, W. (2020). COVID-19 and online teaching in higher education: A case study of Peking University. Human Behavior & Emerging Technologies, 2, 113-115. https://doi.org/10.1002/hbe2.191
Barrot, J. S., Llenares, I. I., & Del Rosario, L. S. (2021). Students’ online learning challenges during the pandemic and how they cope with them: The case of the Philippines. Education and Information Technologies 26, 7321–7338. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10639-021-10589-x
Baticulon, R. E., Alberto, N. R., Baron, M. B., Mabulay, R. C., Rizada, L. T., Sy, J. J., Tiu, C. S., Clarion, C. A., & Reyes, J. B. (2020). Barriers to online learning in COVID-19: A national survey of medical students in the Philippines. Medical Sciences Educator, 2-19. https://doi.org/10.1101/2020.07.16.20155747
Bawa, P. (2016). Retention in online courses: Exploring issues and solutions – A literature review. Sage Journals, 6(1), 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2158244015621777
Bezhovski, Z., & Poorani, S. (2016). The evolution of e-learning and new trends. International Knowledge Sharing Platform, 6(3), 50-57. https://www.iiste.org/Journals/index.php/IKM/article/view/29274/30063
Brooks, M. (2018, February 12). Five tricks for blocking outside noise so students can focus. Enlightium Christian Academy. https://www.enlightiumacademy.com/blog/parent-center/entry/five-tricks-for-blocking-outside-noise-so-students-can-focus
Burns, M. (2019, November 3). I will get to it tomorrow: Procrastinating in online learning. eLearning Industry. https://elearningindustry.com/procrastination-in-online-learning
Cerezo, R., Esteban, M., Santillan, M., & Núñez, J. (2017). Procrastinating behavior in computer-based learning environments to predict performance: A case study in Moodle. Frontiers in Psychology, 8, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2017.01403
Chua, E. R., Sibbaluca, B. G., Miranda, R. D., Palmario, G. B., Moreno, R. P., & Solon, J. T. (2020). The status of the implementation of the e-learning classroom in selected higher education institutions in Region IV-A amidst the COVID-19 crisis. Journal of Critical Reviews, 7(1), 253-258. http://doi.org/10.31838/jcr.07.11.41
Coman, C., Tiru, L., Schmitz, L., Stanciu, C., & Bularca, M. (2020). Online teaching and learning in higher education during the coronavirus pandemic: Students’ perspective. Sustainability, 12, 2-24. https://doi.org/10.3390/su122410367
Dollanganger, C. (2020, October 29). Philippines: The rich and poor divide in distance learning. The News Lens. https://international.thenewslens.com/article/142537
Eloksari, E. (2020, December 1). Poor internet connection, lack of devices hinders online learning ministry. The Jakarta Post. https://www.thejakartapost.com/news/2020/12/01/poor-internet-connection-lack-of-devices-hinder-online-learning-ministry.html
El-Seoud, M. S., Taj-Eddin, I. A., Seddiek, N., El-Khouly, M. M., & Nosseir, A. (2015). E learning and students’ motivation: A research study on the effect of e-learning on higher education. International Journal of Emerging Technologies, 9(4), 20-26. http://doi.org/10.3991/ijet.v9i4.3465
Flores, M. (2020). The COVID-19 pandemic and its effects on teacher education. European Journal of Teacher Education, 43(4), 453-456. https://doi.org/10.1080/02619768.2020.1824253
Gallagher, S. (2019). Online education in 2019: A synthesis of the data. VOCED Plus. https://www.voced.edu.au/content/ngv%3A84464
Gilbert, B. (2015). Online learning revealing the benefits and challenges (Master’s thesis). St. John Fisher College, Rochester, New York. https://fisherpub.sjfc.edu/education_ETD_masters/303
Hecht, D. (2020, August 28). Students, how will your workspace affect your productivity during remote learning? Tap into East Brunswick. https://shorturl.at/bgwCD
Joaquin, J., Biana, H., & Dacela, M. (2020, October 22). The Philippine higher education sector in the time of COVID-19. Frontiers in Education. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2020.576371
Kentnor, H. (2015). Distance education and the evolution of online learning in the United States. Curriculum and Teaching Dialogue, 17(1), 21-34. https://digitalcommons.du.edu/law_facpub/24/
Kokemuller, N. (2020). Negative effects of online courses. Seattle. https://education.seattlepi.com/negative-effects-online-courses-1094.html
Kuimova, M., Kiyanitsyna, A., & Truntyagin, A. (2015). E-Learning as a means to improve the quality of higher education. SHS Web of Conferences, 28(1), 1-5. https://doi.org/10.1051/shsconf/20162801129
Leontyeva, I. (2018). Modern distance learning technologies in higher education: Introduction problems. EURASIA Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 14(10), 1-8. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/92284
Love, A. (2020, October 9). How to stay focused and avoid distractions in online classes. Southern Utah University. https://shorturl.at/joMO8
Mangis, J. (2016). Online learning and the effects on functional health: A pilot study. (Master’s thesis). Eastern Washington University. https://dc.ewu.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1386&context=theses
McKie, A. (2020, September 3). Lack of study space and poor connections hinder online learning. The World University Ranking. https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/lack-study-space-and-poor-connections-hinder-online-learning
Palvia, S., Aeron, P., Gupta, P., Mahapatra, D., Parida, R., Rosner, R., & Sindhi, S. (2018). Online education: Worldwide status, challenges, trends, and implications. Journal of Global Information Technology Management, 21(4), 233-241. https://doi.org/10.1080/1097198X.2018.1542262
Paygar, A. (2014). Challenges and opportunities of online learning in developing countries with a specific focus on Liberia (Master’s thesis). Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minnesota. https://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/political-science/wp-content/uploads/sites/40/2015/05/paygar-thesis.pdf
Phan, Q. T., Ngo, T. T., & Phan, T. T. (2019). Developing the information technology application competence of instructors in online learning. International Journal of Applied Research in Social Sciences, 1(4), 124-137. https://core.ac.uk/reader/327322830
Salman, J. (2020, June 4). Hundreds of thousands of students still can’t access online learning. The Hechinger Report. https://shorturl.at/nxET6
Sellers, E. (2020). Poor time management in online learning. Seattle PI. https://education.seattlepi.com/poor-time-management-online-learning-1435.html
Shore, J. (2020). Problems in online classes. Seattle PI. https://education.seattlepi.com/poor-time-management-online-learning-1435.html
Sim, S. P., Sim, H. P., & Quah, C. (2020). Online learning: A post COVID-19 alternative pedagogy for university students. Asian Journal of University Education, 16(4), 137 151. https://doi.org/10.24191/ajue.v16i4.11963
Smith, A., & Osborn, M. (2007). Interpretative phenomenological analysis. http://med-fom-familymed research.sites.olt.ubc.ca/files/2012/03/IPA_Smith_Osborne21632.pdf
Soussi, K. (2020). Web-based learning: Characteristics, practices, challenges, and recommendations. International Journal of Science and Research, 9(3), 936-943. https://doi.org/10.21275/SR20312135240
Sun, A., & Chen, X. (2016). Online education and its effective practice: A research review. Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, 15, 157-190. http://www.informingscience.org/Publications/3502
Suresh, M., Priya, V., & Gayathri, R. (2018). Effect of e-learning on academic performance of undergraduate students. Drug Invention Today, 10(9), 1797-1800. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/327202545_Effect_of_e-learning_on_academic_performance_of_undergraduate_student
Tanis, C. J. (2020). The seven principles of online learning: Feedback from faculty and alumni on its importance for teaching and learning. Research in Learning Technology, 28(1), 1-25. http://doi.org/10.25304/rlt.v28.2319
Thompson, V. (2020). Why are computers a good tool for college assignments? Seattle PI. https://education.seattlepi.com/poor-time-management-online-learning-1435.html
Tubbs, N. (2016). Epistemology as education: Know thyself. Education Sciences, 6(4), 41. https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci6040041
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
e-ISSN: 1694-2116
p-ISSN: 1694-2493