CHALLENGES ENCOUNTERED ALONG MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION BY

THE BICOL COLLEGE TERTIARY STUDENTS IN THE NEW NORMAL

GARCHITORENA, MARIEMEL Q.
mariemelgarchitorena25@gmail.com
ORCID NO. 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 2 - 4 8 6 9 - 8 9 1 7
GUZMAN, JULIE ANNE M.
julieannemoroguzman@gmail.com
ORCID NO. 0 0 0 0 - 0 0 0 3 - 2 9 1 5 - 2 8 5 2
VILLANUEVA, MIKE L.
mikevellanueva27@gmail.com
ORCHID NO. 0000-0001-8318-6928
Bicol College

ABSTRACT

Technology nowadays is beneficial to the undergraduate as it made the learning

system possible. Lectures are a vital way to consume a vast volume of knowledge within
a comparatively brief of time and online instruction, a way for the students to attend
discussion (Hong, S & Jung, 2014). Online learning is the use of internet and some
important technologies to develop materials for educational purposes, instructional
delivery and management program (Fry 2001), which (Hrastinski 2008) stated the two
types of online learning, namely asynchronous and synchronous for the effective and
efficient comprehensive understanding of the benefits and limitations. This study
examines the challenges encountered during the synchronous and asynchronous modality
in which the researchers used descriptive quantitative method to be able to address the
challenges encountered by the 13 BSED Mathematics undergraduates of Bicol College as
well as the commonly used applications during online learning and be able to recommend
solutions. The result of the study shows that most of the challenges they face are poor
internet connection and power interruption yet acquiring of new skills and knowledge is
possible for there are applications they can used to attend and participate in online
discussion.

Keywords: Synchronous, Asynchronous, Online distance learning,

comprehensive understanding, BS. Ed. Mathematics students
INTRODUCTION
Mathematics is commonly one of the subjects in which the students are afraid of
studying the subject that receives a lot of comments and admit it a member of them are
not interested to take the subject. When a person hears 'Mathematics' the first thing that
comes to his mind are numbers, problem-solving, computations, etc. and the common
statements of the students are; frightened by the subject, intricate, hard to cope with the
different process of solving mathematical problems.' but the researchers believed that
'Appreciating math means appreciating one’s difficulties in life.'
The article on Facilitating Learning Mathematics Through the Use of Instructional
Media, this utilization of media amends learning and instructing supplements to deal with
learning feasible guidance invention and understudies' information and the learning
destination of the subject Mathematics wherein by making use of media undergraduate
will be able to capture, interface and aids them to discontinue their knowledge on the
subject as well as motivates them (Capuno et al., 2019)
The recent issue Covid-19 pandemic has a big impact on higher education system
in Indonesia where lecturers and students have to carry out online teaching and learning
process. This study aimed to investigate the higher education students’ perception on
online learning during covid-19 pandemic and the supporting factors and constraints
during online learning. This study used descriptive method. The total respondents were
103 students of Stikes Banyuwangi who joint Intensive English class in the 2020-2021
academic year. The results indicated that students have positive and negative perceptions
on online learning. Online learning offers flexibility but it also presents various
constraints such as unstable signal, some students were less motivated, more difficult to
practice conversation, and high cost of internet.  Mostly students (91%) prefer face to
face learning to online learning. In conclusion the important factors in conducting online
learning are the availability of supporting tools, stability of internet access, and
applications of online learning must be easy to access, attractive, motivating and in the
form of combination among several online learning media to provide the best way in
delivering and accepting the material during teaching learning process (Laili, R. N., &
Nashir, M. 2021).
The article on National Survey of Medical Students in the Philippines discusses
the barriers in time of the pandemic COVID1-19 as well as the different technologies
used during the online learning. The result manifests that among the 3670 medical
students in the Philippines, 93% of the respondents owned a smartphone and 83% owns a
laptop or desktop computer and to be able to access online resources, 79% of the
undergraduate had a postpaid internet subscription while 19% used prepaid mobile data.
Under prevailing circumstances, only 1505 undergraduates which is only 41%
contemplate themselves as physically and mentally capable of engaging in online
learning. The barriers were sorted, namely; technological, individual, domestic,
institutional, and community barriers (Baticulon 2021).
Distance Education: A Systems view of Online learning of Michael G. Moore and
Greg Kearsley (2011), states that, the emphasis of online learning is on the systems
approach in which the selection and organizing of the material in text should be
researched-based with rigid principles of teaching and learning as well as its authors give
their broad experience and expertise in explaining how to teach online as well as the new
technologies employed, characteristics of undergraduate, organizational structures, and
global perspectives.
The role of social media in higher education classes explains the ubiquity of
social media like Facebook, Twitter, etc. is no more apparent than at the time university.
Social media are increasingly visible in higher education settings as instructors visualize
technology to mediate and enhance their discussion as well as promote active learning for
undergraduate (Tess 2013).
Growing use of the internet in educational contexts has been prominent in recent
years. In this survey paper they describe how the internet transforms mathematics
classroom and mathematics teacher education, they use several reviews as references of
use of the internet in mathematics education settings that is made in recent years to
determine how the field has evolved. Identified the three domains in which new
approaches are being generated by mathematic educators: principles of design of new
settings; social interaction and construction knowledge; and tools and resources
(Engelbrecht, J. et al 2020).
The article on Blended learning, e-learning and mobile learning in mathematics
education focuses on identifying the recent advances in research on digital technology in
the field of mathematics education. To conduct the survey, the researcher used internet
search engines with keywords related to mathematics education and digital technology
and have reviewed some of the main international journals and identified five sub-areas
of research, important trends of development, and illustrate them using case studies:
mobile technologies, massive open online courses (MOOCs), digital libraries and
designing learning objects, collaborative learning using digital technology, and teacher
training using blended learning (Borba et al., 2016).
The development of digital technology is applied to mathematics education with
distinct phases. In the recent years, internet-based learning and teaching has introduced a
relationship revolution that has something to do with socialization and communication
with others (Borba et al., 2016). These lead the possibility of two-way communication to
enhance collaborative learning, personalization of the internet by the use of particular
devices. Furthermore, the introduction of technological resources and tools and efficacy
of teacher practices in social aspects is timely relevant. The entire process of acquiring
knowledge may change, moreover, develop and build new media in application to
teaching and learning mathematics subjects.
Psychologists created contrast philosophic assumptions about the study
procedure. Thorndike theory on “Behaviorism (1992),” uttered that study regulate by
forming connections between the environment and stimuli and is functional to the
responses and are called associations which is recommended in mathematics, for example
students perform much drill and redress procedures and facts to strengthen mental bonds.
Dewey's theory on “Reconstruction or Reorganization of Experience (1916),”
uttered that understanding and study is the application of experience which increases the
ability to direct the course of subsequent experience. In other way around Dewey (1938),
noted that he used the word understanding rather than knowledge because knowledge
means ‘information” for other people. It is static, there is no guarantee that
understanding-the spring of intelligent action-will follow from it.
Piaget (1973) and his co-workers, proposed that in learning, children will pass
through developmental stages. This theory is called developmental constructivism which
maintains that children acquire numbers concepts and operations by construction from
the inside and not by internalization (Romberg 1969).
Piaget's theory on “Developmental Constructivism (1968),” defined that every
usual learner is capable of good mathematical reasoning if attention and apprehension is
directed to exertion of his interest, and by this method the emotional inhibitions give
them a feeling of inferiority in the lessons of mathematics are removed.
The objective of this study is to know the respondents’ challenges and
experiences learning in the new normal along mathematics instruction to enrich their
knowledge and skills on mathematics subjects. Specifically, the study aimed the
following objectives: (1.) Identify the applications commonly used in mathematics
instruction along with Synchronous and Asynchronous Modalities (2.) Cite the
challenges encountered in mathematics instruction by the Bicol College Tertiary Student
in the new normal along synchronous and asynchronous modalities (3.) Recommend
solutions to address the challenges encountered in mathematics in instruction.

METHODOLOGY
A descriptive quantitative method of research. The descriptive method deals with
primary data or available data taken from the respondents and secondary data taken from
the internet. Quantitative method is used which focuses on calculating the collected and
analyzed the data that formed from a deductive approached which gives highlights in
testing of theory shaped by the empiricist and positivist philosophies concerning this
study and the modalities used mentioned in the objectives of the study particularly,
Synchronous and Asynchronous. The researchers prepared a survey checklist and used by
the researchers to deal with specific aspects to address the study.
The researchers used total enumeration. There were 16 students enrolled at Bicol
College taking up BS. Ed. major in Mathematics excluding the three researchers.
Therefore, the researchers selected thirteen learners in the tertiary level who were earning
regular number of units. The findings of the study were common to the entire population
and gave assistance to the researchers the facts and figured about the students’ challenges
and the commonly used applications along with synchronous and asynchronous
modalities and were able to recommend solutions through online distance learning.
In gathering the data, the researcher submitted the letter to all concerned personnel
in order to make the research study possible, from the adviser up to the respondents and
created a survey-questionnaires congruent to the objectives of this study. After that, the
survey-questionnaires were distributed to the 3rd and 4th year BSED Math students,
academic year 2021-2022 thru emails and messengers. Lastly, collect and interpret the
responses of the respondents to the survey-questionnaire to address the objectives of the
study.

RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

This section summarizes the data collection analysis, the results obtained, and the
interpretation of the results.

1. Commonly used application in mathematics instruction along synchronous and

asynchronous modalities
Having the challenges encountered along mathematics instruction in facing online
distance learning, technology as a resource has a significant role that help the learners to
increase their knowledge and skills during synchronous and asynchronous modality.
Online learning application among academic world has grown rapidly and concentrated
on characteristics of learners’ experiences for instance collaboration, online course
quality and certain learning management system (Alexander & Golja, 2007); (Lester &
King, 2009). The researchers come up with a survey checklist to identify the different
applications used in mathematics instruction by the respondents along with the two
variables relatively be useful to both teachers and students to facilitate active
collaboration.

2. Students’ challenges along mathematics instruction in the new normal

Challenges in facing online distance learning are significant factors which affect learners’
performance during synchronous and asynchronous session. According to Llenares et. al
(2021), in terms of methods employed the undergraduate, resource management and
utilization were used, learning environment should be conducive to learning, technical
aptitude, time management and learning environment control. In this study, identifying
learners’ perception and experience on the online distance learning along with the two
variables can be useful for the teachers to uphold effective and efficient learning process.
Questionnaires were distributed to thirteen respondents from Bicol College who identified
the challenges encountered by reflecting on students’ perceptions, performance and
experiences.

3. Recommended Solutions
Challenges are vital at this point of pandemic but it doesn’t make a person less
especially experiencing problems and mistakes rather a motivation to continue learning. In
this study, the respondents encountered challenges dealing with online learning along with
asynchronous and synchronous modalities. In relation, the researchers come up with a variety
of possible solutions in addressing the issue.
The article on attractiveness, benefits, challenges, concerns and recommendations
under the overview of online education discusses that online education has grown
tremendously over the past 10 years and had an increased accessibility of the internet and
created vast opportunities for the teachers and learners. World-wide-web (WWW) gave
opportunities for the non-traditional education through this new medium (Karber 2003).
Technology made teaching possible under online learning and provide facile learning
material.

CONCLUSIONS
The respondents dealing with the online distance learning experienced challenges
along mathematics instruction along synchronous and asynchronous modalities like power
interruption and poor internet connection yet can still learn as digital technology is now
accepted as part of the mainstream of educational system and becoming more indispensable
as people will always choose to learn anytime and anywhere. The technology kept the
learning process which is capable of giving solutions to the crisis students are facing. Making
use of wireless or mobile technology which is driving the growth of students’ adaptation with
the new learning process and as a tool, smartphones, laptops, tablets, computers or desktops
is being used. One of the benefits of distance learning is the flexibility it offers to the
undergraduate, not only in learning neither increases their skills and become digital
technology literate.
Teaching and learning as of today, considering the recent pandemic is a tough task to
embrace with, experiencing uncertainties, anxieties and fears. Misconceptions may arise and
might fail in learning and understanding such topics but since technology is becoming
important nowadays dealing with the issue will just be easy. Bracing the recent issue affects a
lot of industries especially in education, the primary role of digital technology with online
learning is by making use of the internet, most institutions use it to a more engaging manner
to improve access in learning and become more reliable, viable and sometimes affordable.
The challenges encountered by the undergraduate are vital, but technology gives
opportunities to shift challenges and hindrances into motivation to have adequate
collaboration.
The goal of this study is providing solutions to address the challenges encountered in
mathematics instruction by the students in the new normal was met as digital technology
plays a significant role in making the learning process in online education possible. Making
use of the different technologies as a tool in learning to gain knowledge as well as to grasp
clear information and the different gadgets used; mobile phones, laptops, desktop or
computers and tablets to download educational applications used during asynchronous and
synchronous session. The findings also explained above that in the learning process of the
students and adaptation in the advancement of technology, imposing support in acquiring
knowledge and skills as it motivates them in doing good in virtual classes as well as boosts
their confidence and determination.

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