Email this article 
Factors for Successful Science Learning in a Flexible Mode amid Covid-19 Educational Disruption: Students’ Assessment
Abstract
Due to the educational disruption caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, educational institutions resorted to flexible learning modalities to continue the education of students and avoid learning losses. This descriptive online survey assessed different factors for successful science learning in a flexible mode utilized during the current learning setup. A total of 50 teacher education students specializing in science from the two campuses of a state university in Zambales, Philippines, responded to the researcher-crafted survey questionnaire (α=0.971). Results of the study showed that most of the respondents are using the online asynchronous learning modality. Almost all of them are using smartphones for their flexible learning. The college students strongly agree that instructor characteristics is a primary factor for successful science learning in a flexible mode, followed by internet accessibility, administrative support, course content and design, technical support, learner characteristics, and social support. Significant differences were noted in the factors for successful science learning in a flexible mode when grouped according to the learning modality used. Furthermore, positive significant moderate to high correlations were observed among factors for successful science learning in a flexible mode. The study suggests that schools may provide instructors with training and seminars about flexible education to further enhance their content knowledge and pedagogy in science, specifically in this educational disruption. Additionally, the university may craft programs and policies that address students' concerns in the current learning setup to avoid learning losses. These programs and policies could make the current learning modality more effective, efficient, and responsive to the students' needs, and more conducive for both faculty and students. Future researchers could conduct a further study to evaluate college students' experiences in flexible learning modalities in university for the past semesters.
Keywords
Full Text:
PDFReferences
Alea, LA Fabrea, MF Roldan, RDA & Farooqi, AZ 2020, ‘Teachers’ Covid-19 awareness, distance learning education experiences and perceptions towards institutional readiness and challenges,’ International Journal of Learning, Teaching and Educational Research, vol. 19, no. 6, pp. 127—144. doi: 10.26803/ijlter.19.6.8
Almaiah, M Al-Khasawneh, A & Thunibat, A 2020, ‘Exploring the critical challenges and factors influencing the E-learning system usage during COVID-19 pandemic,’ Education and Information Technologies, vol. 25, no. 1. doi: 10.1007/s10639-020-10219-y
Almaiah, MA & Alyoussef, IY 2019, ‘Analysis of the effect of course design, course content support, course assessment and instructor characteristics on the actual use of e-learning system,’ IEEE Access, vol. 7, pp. 171907—171922. doi: 10.1109/access.2019.2956349
Arinto, PB 2016, ‘Issues and challenges in open and distance e-learning: Perspectives from the Philippines,’ International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, vol. 17, no. 2, pp. 162—180. doi: 10.19173/irrodl.v17i2.1913
Barefield, AC & Meyer, JD 2013, ‘Leadership’s role in support of online academic programs: Implementing an administrative support matrix,’ Perspectives in Health Information Management , Winter 2013, 1—13.
Cabual, R.A 2021, ‘Learning styles and preffered learning modalities in the new normal,’ OALib, vol. 8, no. 4, 1—14. https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1107305
Callinan, J 2020, ‘Barriers and facilitators to e-learning in palliative care,’ International Journal of Palliative Nursing, vol. 26, no. 8, pp. 394-402.
Cortes, S. T 2020, ‘Flexible learning as an instructional modality in Environmental Science course during COVID-19,’ Aquademia, vol. 4, no.2, ep20024. https://doi.org/10.29333/aquademia/8444
Denan, Z Munir, ZA Razak, RA Kamaruddin, K & Sundram, VPK, 2020, ‘Adoption of technology on E-learning effectiveness,’ Bulletin of Electrical Engineering and Informatics, vol. 9, no. 3, pp. 1121-1126.
El Islami, R. A. Z., Nuangchalerm, P., & Sjaifuddin, S, '2018, 'Science process of Environmental Conservation: Cross National Study of Thai and Indonesian Pre-service Science Teachers, Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, vol.6, no.4, pp. 72-80.
El Islami, R. A. Z., & Nuangchalerm, P. 2020, 'Comparative study of scientific literacy: Indonesian and Thai pre-service science teachers report, Int. J. Eval. & Res. Educ. vol, 9, no. 2, pp. 261-68.
El Mansour, B & Mupinga, D 2007, ‘Students' positive and negative experiences in hybrid and online classes,’ College Student Journal, 41(1), 242—248.
Elumalai, KV Sankar, JPRK John, JA Menon, N Alqahtani, MSN & Abumelha, MA 2020, ‘Factors affecting the quality of e-learning during the COVID-19 pandemic from the perspective of higher education students.’ Journal of Information Technology Education: Research, vol. 19, pp. 731—753. doi: 10.28945/4628
Glazier, RA 2016, ‘Building rapport to improve retention and success in online classes,’ Journal of Political Science Education, vol. 12, no. 400, pp. 437—456.
Gorbunovs, A Kapenieks, A & Cakula, S 2016, ‘Self-discipline as a key indicator to improve learning outcomes in e-learning environment,’ Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, vol. 231, pp. 256—262. doi: 10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.09.100
Huang, RH Liu, DJ Guo, J Yang, JF Zhao, JH Wei, XF Knyazeva, S Li, M Zhuang, RX Looi, CK & Chang, TW 2020, Guidance on Flexible Learning during Campus Closures: Ensuring course quality of higher education in COVID-19 outbreak, Smart Learning Institute of Beijing Normal University.
Islam, N Beer, M & Slack, F 2015, ‘E-learning challenges faced by academics in higher education: A literature review,’ Journal of Education and Training Studies. vol. 3, no. 5, pp. 102—112.
Joan, DR 2013, ‘Flexible learning as new learning design in classroom process to promote quality education,’ Journal on School Educational Technology, vol. 9, no. 1, pp. 37—42. doi: 10.26634/jsch.9.1.2401
Kim, JH 2020, September 17, ‘Lack of internet access continues to impact students’ online learning experiences,’ The Cavalier Daily. http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2020/09/lack-of-internet-access-continues-to-impact-students-online-learning-experiences
Laguador, JM 2021, ‘Challenges encountered during pandemic in flexible learning among college students living in urban, rural, and suburban areas in the Philippines,’ Asia Pacific Journal of Educational Perspectives, vol. 8, no. 1.
Li, KC & Wong, BYY 2018, ‘Revisiting the definitions and implementation of flexible learning,’ Innovations in open and flexible education, pp. 3-13.
Li, X Yang, Y Chu, SKW Zainuddin, Z & Zhang, Y 2022, ‘Applying blended synchronous teaching and learning for flexible learning in higher education: an action research study at a university in Hong Kong,’ Asia Pacific Journal of Education, vol. 42, no. 2, pp. 211-227.
Lin, T & Han, L 2017, ‘The effects of family income on children’s education: An empirical analysis of CHNS data,’ Research on Modern Higher Education, vol. 4, no. 02002.
Magsambol, B 2020, July 22, ‘Fast facts: CHED's flexible learning,’ Rappler. https://www.rappler.com/newsbreak/iq/things-to-know-ched-flexible-learning
Malik, M Fatima, G Hussain, A & Sarwar, A 2017, ‘E-learning: Students' perspectives about asynchronous and synchronous resources at higher education level,’ Bulletin of Education and Research, vol. 39, no. 2, pp. 183—195.
Moralista, R & Oducado, RM 2020, ‘Faculty perception toward online education in higher education during the coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) pandemic, Universal Journal of Educational Research, vol. 8, no. 10, pp. 4736-4742. doi: 10.31219/osf.io/nhr7b
Muller Werder, C., Stahl, M Alder, M & Muller, M 2018, ‘Learning effectiveness and students’ perceptions in a flexible learning course,’ European Journal of Open, Distance and E-Learning, vol. 21, no. 2, pp. 44-52.
Nuangchalerm, P., & El Islami, R. A. Z 2018, 'Comparative study between Indonesian and Thai novice science teacher students in content of science. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists', vol.6, no.2, pp. 23-9.
Parmin, P., Khusniati, M., El Islami, R. A. Z., Deta, U. A., & Saregar, A 2022, 'Online Scientific Argumentation Strategy on Improving Pre-Service Science Teachers’ Scientific Reasoning through Experiment Activity: A Case Study in Indonesia, Science and Education, vol. 55, no.1, pp. 607-19.
Parmin, P., Nuangchalerm, P., & El Islami, R. A. Z. 2019, 'Exploring the indigenous knowledge of Java North Coast Community (Pantura) using the science integrated learning (SIL) model for science content development. Journal for the Education of Gifted Young Scientists, vol.7, no.1, pp. 71-83.
Pawilen, GT 2021, “Preparing Philippine higher education institutions for flexible learning during the period of COVID-19 pandemic: Curricular and instructional adjustments, challenges, and issues: Preparing Philippine higher education institutions for flexible learning,’ International Journal of Curriculum and Instruction, vol. 13, no. 3, pp. 2150-2166.
Rogayan, DV Jr., Rafanan, RJL, & De Guzman, CY 2021, ‘Challenges in STEM Learning: A Case of Filipino High School Students,’ Jurnal Penelitian dan Pembelajaran IPA, vol. 7, no. 2, pp. 232-244. doi: 10.30870/jppi.v7i2.11293
Shamsy, J 2014, A balancing act part I: Technical support and the online instructor.’ eLearn Magazine. https://elearnmag.acm.org/archive.cfm?aid=2627756
Sharma, K Deo, G Timalsina, S Joshi, A Shrestha, N & Neupane, H. C 2020, ‘Online learning in the face of Covid-19 pandemic: Assessment of students’ satisfaction at Chitwan Medical College of Nepal,’ Kathmandu University Medical Journal, vol. 18, no. 2, pp. 40—47. doi: 10.3126/kumj.v18i2.32943
Solomo, MW 2022, ‘Academic, Personal, and Administrative Support in an Online Learning of State Universities and Colleges in Camarines Sur, Philippines,’ Journal of Advanced Research in Social Sciences, vol. 5, no. 4, pp. 1-13.
Staddon, RV 2020, ‘Bringing technology to the mature classroom; age differences in use and attitudes, International Journal of Educational Technology, vol. 17, no. 1. doi: 10.1186/s41239-020-00184-4.
Veletsianos, G & Houlden, S 2019, ‘An analysis of flexible learning and flexibility over the last 40 years of Distance Education,’ Distance Education, vol. 40, no. 4, pp. 454-468.
Yebowaah, FAMS 2018, ‘Internet use and its effect on senior high school students in Wa municipality of Ghana,’ Library Philosophy and Practice, no. 1817.
DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.30870/jppi.v8i2.15125
Refbacks
- There are currently no refbacks.
Copyright (c) 2022 Jurnal Penelitian dan Pembelajaran IPA
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Jurnal Penelitian dan Pembelajaran IPA is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License
Copyright © 2024 Jurnal Penelitian dan Pembelajaran IPA. All rights reserved.