Impacts of Forced Distance

Learning on Education during the

New Normal
An Analysis on the Effects of having Technology as the Main Medium of
Instruction in Butuan City

16 February 2021

Prepared by Mizhka Ice O. Patalinghug, Nathaniel Joe C. Radaza, Josh Christian L. Calo,
and Alphabet P. Cuasito.

www.tools4dev.org
This template by tools4dev is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License.
Impacts of Forced Distance Learning on Education during the New
Normal
16 February 2021

Acknowledgements

We would like to thank the following people for their contribution to the research and
preparation of this report: Joscel Myka Fortun,a teacher at CFC-School of the Morning Star.
Francine T. Ogoy, Bachelor of Arts Major in English Language. To the participants of our
survey and interview: Warren Gallego, Lauren Joy Opiana, Jahzara Andoy, Shane Kiyoshi,
Angelica Villejo, Joy Mary Trish Acapulco, Trisha Libres, Julian Lozano, Samantha Andres,
Daphne Isabel Lapinig, Gian Gasalatan, Zenlou Quiambao, Jan Maverick Sotto, Adrean
Torredes, Candace Agravante, Monique Ambray, Reeva Esmasin, Prince Fuentes, Pauleen
Page Lumayog , Penelope Page Lumayog,Althea Suzzine Dacera.

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Contents

Acknowledgements i

Tables iv

Figures v

Acronyms vi

Executive Summary 3

1 Introduction 3

1.1 Project Background 3

1.2 Objectives 3

2 Methodology 4

2.1 Research Questions 4

2.2 Research Design 4

2.3 Instruments 5

2.4 Sample 5

2.5 Data Collection 5

2.6 Data Analysis 6

2.7 Limitations 6

3 Results

3.1 Which of the two is a more productive form of education for high school students:
modular learning or online classes? and why? 7

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3.2 How are online classes affecting highschool students in Butuan City during a pandemic
(COVID-19) 8

3.3 What are the benefits and drawbacks of studying from a distance using devices
such as phones, laptops, tablets and computers?
10

4 Discussion 12

5 Recommendations 13

6 References 14

7 Appendices 15

7.1 Appendix A. Tables and Chart

7.2 Appendix B. Survey and Interview Questions

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Executive Summary
Background

The Philippines, after recording it’s first few Covid-19 cases, was placed under strict
lockdown on March 15, 2020. The country in its entirety was included in said lockdown
including Butuan City. Due to this, the government implemented different strict protocols,
from minor mandates such as social distancing, up to drastic changes like closing of
schools. This study will be focusing on the latter and the surrounding issuances, creating a
new kind of “normal” for the education system in Butuan City. Specifically, we will be
discussing the impact of distance learning on education during the new normal. Due to the
Covid-19 outbreak, the Department of Education implemented a new standard for us
students to learn continuously despite the pandemic. However, there are some students
who are having issues with the new normal. As we conducted a survey for highschool
students in both modular and online class. We gathered information that almost students
weren't more productive unlike before the face-to-face classes implementation. Furthermore,
because of the lack of interactions and being isolated in their own quarters, online and
modular education was not beneficial to their mental and physical health.

Methodology

In order to take needed information for the research we utilized a quantitative method added
with a hint of qualitative ness by doing surveys to all 22 and interviewed selected high
students among them. Due to the virus still being rampant, we executed the survey online
through chat and video calls. We split our group into two with the first group questioning
students who chose modular and the second with the students who chose online classes.
Due to Covid-19 we cannot conduct larger amounts of survey, because of the lack of
available audience we could only find 22 students from modular and online.

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Key Findings

● The researcher’s found out that the advantage of technology in online education is
that it’s quick and informative when they ask questions from the teachers. While on
the other hand, both students stated that not everyone can afford school-related
gadgets because of poverty.
● We researcher’s interviewed two students and found that modular students prefer
online classes because they believe they can gain more productivity in this mode of
learning.
● The pro’s and con’s of the effect of technology on education during the normal is that
it makes learning more accessible and efficient but the problem is the student’s
affordability and maintenance.

Key Recommendations

● DepEd should pay attention and give importance on the learning productivity of those
in modular education.
● Teachers should provide practical activities that can challenge student’s both physical
and mental states.

● Government should think of other solutions that can help students afford and earn a
gadget for online and modular education.

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1 Introduction
1.1 Background
Technology made things easier for teachers to communicate with their students, It also
provides effective ways to forge a relationship between teachers and students. But is it really
as effective or healthy for the students and teachers as we thought it would be? We
conducted this research to have knowledge about the effects of having technology as a
bridge for education especially in this time of difficulty. This research is us looking into the
experiences of students who study through distance learning and the changes that
happened to them when they started this new normal education. This research began on
February 16, 2021, and ended on April 5, 2021. The study was ongoing for exactly 1 month
and 17 days, with breaks taken in between. Through this research we hopefully want to have
a better understanding as to how it really affects the student’s mental and physical health,
their social life and their overall learning capabilities. Our main goal for this research is for us
to understand better the change or impact that technology has made to our education
system.

1.2 Objectives

The objectives of this research are to:

● Determine the influence of distance learning to our education during the new normal.
● Gain perception into students’ inner thoughts.
● Have knowledge of how distance learning changed the way of living of the students.

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2 Methodology
2.1 Research Questions
The research questions to be answered by this research are:

1. Which of the two is a more productive form of education for high school students:
modular learning or online classes? and why?
2. How are online classes affecting highschool students in Butuan City during a
pandemic (COVID-19)

3. How are online classes affecting highschool students in Butuan City during a
pandemic (COVID-19)

2.2 Research Design

The research will use mixed methods to answer the research questions. The following table
summarises the methods used to answer each question:

Table 1 Methods used to answer research questions

Research Question Method Used to Answer Question

Which of the two is a more interview

productive form of education for
high school students: modular
learning or online classes? and
why?
How are online classes affecting survey
highschool students in Butuan City
during a pandemic (COVID-19)

How are online classes affecting survey

highschool students in Butuan City
during a pandemic (COVID-19)

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2.3 Instruments
We chose to conduct surveys with a combination of interviewing to gain insight into people's
inner thoughts on specific issues. The survey's questions are simple to respond to. We
decided to keep the survey as clear as possible, so we just submitted yes or no questions.
We chose stimulating questions for the interviews in order to see how the interviewees
would respond, and overall potentially aiding in finding the answer to our questions.

See Appendix B. Survey and Interview Questions for the quantitative data.

2.4 Sample
For our sample size we went on and thought about 2 main groups of audiences we wanted
to focus on; students on modular learning and on online classes. The reasoning behind this
choice was more on accessibility or convenience to us since we had very limited
communication to begin with.

For calculation we went for a compare and contrast mode of comparison. We thought about
how we could bring the most data with our limited participants and eventually we ended up
deciding on simply comparing the two side’s answers. By using trivial questions on the
survey we could take a lot of different information.

2.5 Data Collection

We split ourselves into two smaller groups of 2 one responsible for modular and the other on
online classes. We ourselves collected the data by personally asking the questions in our
survey to our participants one by one. Due to the pandemic we could not do the surveys and
interviews in person but through call and chat. We tried to be as specific and simple as
possible with our questions and data gathering, instead of leaving our participants be with
the survey we guided them through it to get the most amount of data possible with the
minimal participants we have.

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2.6 Data Analysis

We used Microsoft Word and Google Drive to create the questions and collect data. We
asked very clear questions and received detailed responses during the interviews, allowing
us to compare and contrast them. We measured the findings by comparing them to their
counterparts when we got them. For example, with the interviews, we gathered their
responses and compared them to one another, filling in the gaps as we went to find a
consensus or a final answer.

2.7 Limitations
Unfortunately, we could only get so much information from 22 people for our study. Even
though we did our best to gather as much data as possible from them, it might not be
enough to gain approval. Owing to a lack of participants, we were unable to take a
comprehensive approach to education and could only concentrate on distance learning.

Our research is all about technology and how successful it is in forced education at home;
while the current state of education could have a huge influence on this research, we will not
take that direction and will instead concentrate on our main target. As a result, we will not be
addressing education as a whole, but rather a subset of it.

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3 Results
3.1 Which of the two is a more productive form of education for
high school students; modular learning or online classes? and
why?
According to the responses we received from our 22 survey participants, 100% of junior high
schools taking part in modular learning claim that it has no impact on their productivity; none
of the 11 participants agreed that distance learning helped them be more effective in their
studies. On the other hand, the figures of junior high school students who enroll in online
classes are in contrast to those of those who enroll in modular learning, with 9 out of 11
students claiming that distance learning has increased their efficiency.

One of the interviewees claimed that, “As a modular learner, I think that much productivity is
achieved in that mode of learning. Because in my experience, we, in modular mode can just
cram everything 2 days before the deadline. We can easily send and share our answers to
our fellow learners, but in online learning, I think that the mind is much more challenged, not
only the mind but also the body.”

As demonstrated by the findings, education that uses technology as a bridge will assist
students in being more productive. In 2021, 74.22 percent of Filipinos are using the internet.
Since Filipinos are almost always socially inclined, the internet has always been a major part
of many people's lives. There is greater access to information and statistics due to the
internet and educational technology. Students benefit from online classes because they can
still communicate with others while still having personal time, resulting in increased
productivity. Furthermore, since there are necessary schedules for the instructor to consult
you rather than only getting a deadline, online classes appear to provide more guidance than
modular classes.

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Figure 1.

3.2 How are online classes affecting highschool students in

Butuan City during a pandemic (COVID-19)?
According to the results of the interview and survey, the 22 responses of respondents from
different forms of learning differed from one another. Surprisingly, 10 out of 11 who take
online courses tend to have no problems with using technology as a means of learning when
it comes to their mental health. Meanwhile, the other 11 high school students who are
completing modules have found it difficult to maintain a stable mental state, as well as a
stable physical health.

More online students acknowledged that distance learning has helped them financially than
those who didn’t; online students account for half of those who answered yes to question 5.
We may presume that since it's online, it'll be expensive because there will be gadgets
necessary.

In total, 19 students have confirmed that distance learning has had a social impact on them.
9 of the 19 students are online learners, so it's fair to say that they were affected by only
getting enough time to communicate with others.

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In the second question on the table, however, the majority of high school students taking
online classes say that, despite their increased productivity, school is not easier for them
now. On the other hand, 10 of the 11 modular students we spoke with believe that school is
now easier. According to that one modular student, their method of learning is unproductive
because of the cheating and cramming. In addition, their sleeping habits, daily exercise
activities, and social experiences had a massive impact on their wellbeing.

To conclude, the majority of high school students in Butuan City who take online classes
have a more efficient education, which is difficult for them but advantageous mentally and
physically.

Table 1.

Questions Yes No

Do you think that school is 12 10

easier now?

Is distance learning helping 10 12

your mental health?

Is distance learning helping 8 14

your physical health?

Does distance learning 19 3

affect your social life as a
student?

Does you think distance 14 8

learning has helped your
parents financially

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3.3 What are the benefits and drawbacks of studying from a

distance using devices such as phones, laptops, tablets, and
computers?
We questioned two students, one who is enrolled in an online class and the other who is
enrolled in a modular lesson. We asked them about the pros and cons of having technology
as the main medium of education.

As for the online learner, the internet is advantageous for asking questions rather than
asking the teacher directly because it is quick and informative. However, she claims that
practical work such as roleplaying is no longer possible, which takes the fun out of school.
Individuals are motivated to work hard and develop social skills in the school community,
which might not be possible in an online setting.

Both students stated that, with that type of educational system, students will be required to
purchase school-related gadgets, and that kind of maintenance can cost quite a lot and not
everyone can afford that. As you can see in its latest report, the World Bank saw a further
decline in the poverty rate in the Philippines to 19.8% in 2020 and 18.7% in 2021. Despite
the fact that there is a decrease in percentage, it is only a small portion of the total.

As I searched on the internet, The Philippines ranked near the bottom of the global index in
terms of average broadband and mobile speeds, according to an Ookla Speedtest
conducted in August 2020[1]. With mobile download speeds of 16.44Mbps, the country
ranked 199th out of 139 countries. With a broadband speed of 25.34Mbps, we ranked 106th
out of 174 countries. With this information, one student's point of view is correct: a
disadvantage of using technology as a means of education is that it can be inconvenient due
to internet issues in the Philippines.

Table 2.

2 highschool students Pros Cons

from Butuan City

Modular Learning ● Accessibility ● Expensive

● Efficiency Maintenance
● Affordability
● Internet connection

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Online Classes ● Reliability ● Lack of practical

● Efficiency activities
● Maintenance

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4 Discussion
To start off, the occurrence of Covid-19 has thrown everyone's lives into disarray. Closing
educational institutions was one of the first reforms made in order to slow the spread of the
virus. Our biggest challenge was the limited number of participants we could reach for the
research. This caused us a shorter range of opinions and outlooks on our study. Due to
CoVid 19 we could not really extend our reach that easily, and we just ended up with a small
sample size. Another problem was the lack of statistics we could find about related topics for
our research, we could only rely on our statistics, some articles about CoVid 19 and some
common knowledge about distance learning as students who also participate in it.

From what we have understood from the results we saw that most teens right now in this
time of difficulty are finding it difficult to socialize as “well” as before distance learning.
Additionally, mental health is a problem for high school students in Butuan City who engage
in modular learning, according to the 3.2 results; no modular student responded yes to the
second question. Surprisingly, considering the fact that online learning is much more costly,
more online students are progressing than those who just do their modules. According to the
Akron Beacon Journal, many students discover that studying isn't only an academic practice,
but also a social one. This explains why a lot of students lack in-person contact with their
teachers. For several students, one of the most challenging aspects of learning online and
completing their classes is not getting enough contact with professors and peers.
Furthermore, the most important obstacle for online learning is the need for a
comprehensive digital infrastructure and a digital skill set for both students and teachers.

As a consequence of the findings, we can now assess which aspects of education need
assistance and which aspects of learning are adversely affecting students. Despite the lack
of participants in the survey and interview, more measures should be taken now that we
know which section of the curriculum the students are having trouble with. Hopefully that
through this research we can bring awareness or even change in the education system.
Maybe even improve how we approach socializing in online classes and modular.

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5 Recommendations
Based on the results from the research, the following recommendations are made:

● Educators must undergo proper digital skills training, and student-teacher

engagement must be enhanced. Marginalized students must have access to digital
infrastructure, including sufficient internet access and access to gadgets, in order to
avoid interruptions in their studies. To put it another way, the government should fund
and invest in the Philippines' ICT infrastructure so that students can learn more
efficiently and smoothly.
● Many students are likely to experience tension, anxiety, and depression as a result of
the situation, so it is important to provide emotional support to students. Future
studies in this field may look into the impact of various stress relievers on students'
mental health. In addition, more guidelines should be developed to foresee the needs
of disadvantaged students. The Department of Health (DOH) should continue to raise
the bar in terms of mental health initiatives and interventions.
● Every school, college, or organization, particularly those in Butuan City, should
practice good time management. Invest more in online learning as well. Once
Covid-19 is over, face-to-face classes should still be cancelled by the Department of
Education, and distance/online learning education should be improved for potential
use in the event of similar outbreaks.

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6 References
Gita-Carlos, R.B. (2019). PH poverty projected to be at 18.7% in 2021: WB. Retrieved
March 13, 2021, from
https://www.pna.gov.ph/articles/1083509#:~:text=The%20World%20Bank%20had%20estima
ted,and%2018.7%20percent%20in%202021.

Sanchez, M. J. (2020). Internet user penetration in the Philippines from 2017 to 2019 with a
forecast until 2025. Retrieved April 1, 2020 from
https://www.statista.com/statistics/975072/internet-penetration-rate-in-the-philippines/

TIMEFRAME.
(2020). Philippines: Authorities to lock down Manila amid COVID-19 outbreak March 12
/update 9. Retrieved April 1, 2020 from
https://www.garda.com/crisis24/news-alerts/322341/philippines-authorities-to-lock-down-
manila-amid-covid-19-outbreak-march-12-update-9

What Happens to the Social Aspect of Learning in an Online Course?. (2021).

Retrieved April 1, 2020 from
https://www.bestcollegesonline.org/faq/what-happens-to-the-social-aspect-of-learning-in-an-
online-course/

Internet in the Philippines: Why Is It Slow and Expensive?. (2020).

Retrieved April 1, 2021 from
https://sg.news.yahoo.com/cost-internet-asean-3-region-220022441.html#:~:text=How%20F
ast%20is%20Philippine%20Internet,average%20broadband%20and%20mobile%20speeds.
&text=With%2025.34Mbps%20for%20broadband,th%20place%20out%20of%20174.

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7 Appendices
7.1 Appendix A. Tables and Chart

Questions Yes No

Do you think that school is 12 10

easier now?

Is distance learning helping 10 12

your mental health?

Is distance learning helping 8 14

your physical health?

Does distance learning 19 3

affect your social life as a
student?

Does you think distance 14 8

learning has helped your
parents financially

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2 highschool students Pros Cons

from Butuan City

Modular Learning ● Accessibility ● Expensive

● Efficiency Maintenance
● Affordability
● Internet connection

Online Classes ● Reliability ● Lack of practical

● Efficiency activities
● Maintenance

7.2 Appendix B. Survey and Interview Questions

Survey Questions:

1. Do you have the necessary tools/gadgets for the mode of education you are
currently in?

2. Do you think that school is easier now?

3. Is the time given to you by teachers enough?

4. Do you think that you are more productive now with the implementation of
distance learning?

5. Are you able to learn as much as before (face to face classes)?

6. Is distance learning helping your mental health?

7. Is distance learning helping your physical health?

8. Does distance learning affect your social life as a student?

9. Are teachers providing you enough help with your material?

10. Do you think distance learning has helped your parents financially?

Interview Questions:

1. Which is better for your productivity, modular or online? and why?

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2. How is distance learning affecting you in a pandemic ?

3. What do you think are the pros and cons of going to school using gadgets?

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