College Students’ Experiences in Online Learning

Renissa D. Camugao

renissadaceracamugao@gmail.com
Abstract
This study aims to know about the experiences of college students in online learning. The
research study was a qualitative study and with a descriptive research design. Questionnaire
was used as the research instrument for gathering data. The study gathered 15 respondents
which is my college friends/classmates and were asked about their experiences in online
learning. The findings were very important for us to know about the college students current
situation regarding their experiences during online learning.

Introduction
Online education has become widespread in many countries during recent years, and
the paradigmatic shift from traditional to online education (e.g., Harasim, 2000; Karuppan,
2001) has occurred as part of planned educational policy, with both international and national
experiences supporting its growth. Similarly, students now have increasingly higher
expectations regarding the quality of learning, and they expect a more individual, flexible,
and humanistic approach in education. Students are increasingly demanding online access and
universities are working to meet these demands (e.g., Song, Singleton, Hill, & Hwa Koh,
2004).
Learning through an internet platform at one’s own speed and time is known as
online learning. This has a number of advantages, including 24-hour access to classes, which
allows students to easily balance their work and school. Lectures, films, animations, and
demonstrations are included in the content of such courses, which cover a wide range of
subject levels from beginner to postgraduate.
The fact of the matter is that online classes are very challenging. Aside from the country’s
poor internet connection, issues of technological and financial resources are an undeniable
factor that continues to make online classes difficult for the majority of Filipino students.
Because no educational institution has seen this coming, most of them don’t have their own
online platforms, and if they have one, these platforms are often underdeveloped and
unmaintained and would crash multiple times a week. Thanks to Google, Discord, Zoom,
Canvas, and other free “classrooms” and teleconferencing softwares because they became
very useful in this very challenging time. However, issues still arise because even some of the
teachers are not well-versed on these platforms (and it is not their fault), hence, they cannot
also assist students who are having issues with the channel.
Lest we forget that a lot of students don’t have studio type rooms with office-like settings to
do the online classes. Students residing in crowded areas would need to shoulder the extra
burden of outside noise that can discourage focus and of course learning. This new modality
of learning has challenged all of us. Our resentment should be heard as a cry for help and a
call upon different sectors of the society. It should not be viewed as a typical “reklamo” but
rather an expression of universal pain felt by students in the middle of the pandemic.
 I have planned to solve the gap in knowledge of my study by having a survey in
giving a questionnaire to the selected respondents asking about their experiences in online
learning.

Research Objectives
This study aims to know the experiences of college students in online learning.

Specifically, the study aims:

1. To know the overall rate of their learning experience.

2. To know if they are comfortable in this learning mode.
3. To know if how effective has been this online learning for them.
4. To know what type of technology/device have been commonly used for online
learning.
Methodology

Research Design
This is a qualitative type of research and it research design is descriptive since it is quick and
easy to conduct.

Research Respondents/ Participants

The research respondents of this study were my 15 college friends/classmates

Research Instrument
The research instrument I have used is questionnaire to gather the needed data for the study.
The questionnaire has a total of 8 pre-determined questions that fits the objectives of the
study.

Data Collection
In collecting data in this research is the forms and questionnaires method. I have prepared
first an 8 questions that fits to the research objectives for the respondents to answer. And after
that, I sent the questionnaires to the respondents in a form of google form.

Data Analysis
The data will be analyze using Microsoft Excel with the result showing the charts, pies and
graphs functions. Descriptive statistical analysis will be used to answer the research questions
provided.
Results and Discussions

1. On a scale of 1 to 10, rate your overall online learning experience.

In this question, the 7th scale has the highest rate answered by 6 respondents (40%), the next
one is 3 respondents rated on the 5th scale for a total of (20%). Then 2 respondents rated on
the 3rd scale that has a total of (13.3%). The rest 4 respondents rated on 4 th,6th ,8th, and 9th
scale with the same percentage of (6.7%).

2. How peaceful is the environment at home while learning online?

In this question, 6 respondents answered “slightly peaceful” that has a total of (40%), and also
6 respondents answered “moderately peaceful” (40%). Then 2 respondents (13.3%) answered
that their environment while learning online at home is “not peaceful at all”. However, 1
respondent answered very peaceful. So in this survey, it shows that each of the students have
different kinds of environment such as having a noisy environment and some are having a
kids at home.

3. What type of device do you use for online learning?

In this question, 12 respondents (80%) answered “smartphone” which means that this device
is commonly used for online learning. On the other hand, 3 respondents that has a total of
(20%) answered that they are using a “laptop”.

4. Are you satisfied with the technology and software you are using for online learning?
In this question 6 respondents (40%) answered “Yes”. And the 9 respondents (60%)
answered “No” so in this survey means that more students are not satisfied with the
technology they are using. Based of the result on the third question that they are just using
smartphone unlike the students who are using laptops and can easily make their outputs
quickly.

5. How much time do you spend each day in online learning?

In this question, 3 respondents (20%) answered that they spend “5-7 hours” each day in
online learning. Then 4 respondents (26.7%) answered “1-3 hours”. And the 8 respondents
(53.3%) answered “3-5 hours” and can be interpreted that the length of time they spent in
learning online will be based on their environment.
6. How effective has online learning been for you?

In this question, 11 respondents (73.3%) answered “Moderately effective”, which means that
online learning helped the students to be flexible and they have adapted this mode of learning.
However, 4 respondents (26.7%) answered “ slightly effective”.

7. Are you getting all the help you need with your coursework?

In this question, 10 respondents (66.7%) answered “ No” this can be interpreted that most of
the students in this mode of learning really needs help with their coursework. On the other
hand, 5 respondents (33.3%) answered “Yes” this means that they were getting all the help
they need in doing their coursework.
8. What has been the hardest part about completing your coursework?

In this question, 4 respondents (26.7%) answered that “Time management” is their hardest
part in completing their coursework. While the 5 respondents answered “No technology to
use” and this means that one of the main problem of the students is not having the exact
device that fits to use for their coursework. And the majority of the hardest part about
completing their coursework is the “Challenge of staying focused” that answered by the 6
respondents with the percentage of (40%). This can be interpreted that they can’t focus
because of their environment.

Conclusions

The study revealed that online learning has several challenges such as lack of
feedback from students and lack of the proper technology to effectively conduct
online learning, these limitations can be overcome by upgrading the E-Leaning
systems and the use of online discussion forums and new web based software’s.

In conclusion, online learning is beneficial to the students, tutors and the institution
offering these courses. I would therefore recommend that online learning be
implemented on all learning institutions and research on how to improve this learning
process should be carried out. Even if online learning has several challenges, yet it
can open an opportunity to others who want to continue learning and help the
students to engage in modern technology.
References

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5. Harasim, (2000); Karuppan,( 2001).Online Learning Experiences of University
Students
6. Song, Singleton, Hill, & Hwa Koh, (2004).Online Learning Experiences of
University Students