The Effectiveness of Distance Learning in Teaching Computer Programming

to Grade-12 ICT Students in Philippine Women's University Calamba

By:

John Ace Maravilla

I. Introduction

II. Background of the Study

III. Research Problem

IV. Scope and Limitation

V. Significance of the Study

VI. Assumption

VII. Hypotheses
 Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

This chapter assists the researcher in identifying problems, objectives, and methods

in order to know if the topic is going to succeed. This will also serve as a guide and help

the researcher during his investigation.

I. Introduction

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many people suffered from a huge loss. Not just

on families but also on individuals such as students’ education. On October 6, 2020,

Education Secretary Leonor Magtolis Briones declared the commencement of the

School Year 2020-2021, marking the official start of the country's transition to distance

learning. Distance learning refers to any learning that takes place while students are not

physically present in the classroom. It can be divided into three types such as modular

learning, online learning, and blended learning. She added that education must continue

regardless of what occurs or what problems we face, and they would not allow COVID –

19 pandemic to ruin students' education and future. On the other hand, students must

adjust to distance learning.

As for senior high school students who experienced distance learning, most of

them almost give up on studying. It is far more different and difficult than when they are

in junior high school. Also, it’s really hard to get used to something that they don’t

usually do, especially if they haven’t done it before. Students are not all geniuses; some

can keep up while others can’t. In addition, not all the students have the same learning

environment and have the learning materials needed for distance learning.
 According to Philippine Daily Inquirer (2021), in a survey conducted on Nov. 21 –

25, 2020, it was found that 58% of the enrolled Filipinos students used devices for

distance learning, while 42% did not. It stated there that those students who used

devices are either 27% owned, 12% bought, 10% borrowed, 9% received or 0.3%

rented. No wonder, that there’s a small amount of upcoming SHS students who took the

ICT strand. Since the ICT strand is more on technologies and computer-related, it is

hard to learn from it if a student doesn’t have their own device. The majority of the

students find it difficult to learn computer programming (Thuné & Eckerdal, 2018). It only

covers minor topics but it’s still difficult for both students and teachers. Some of them

confronted issues such as lack of internet accessibility, learning environmental issues,

poor computer and device working conditions. Indeed, the said difficulties of the

students must be address if the distance learning is not effective, by implementing face-

to-face classes.

II. Background of the Study

In today’s environmental problems, computer programming is essential in our

society. This serves as a way for a human to interact with computers and technologies.

Without it, we will not be able to have an online class in Google Classroom, shopping in

online shops, text message, chat in Messenger, or perform tasks that require the use of

technologies and other devices. It is like a soul of our smartphones, laptops, and

computers which are able to run by a set of processes that we used in everyday lives

amid the pandemic. Computer programming is the process of creating an executable

computer program to achieve a given computational result or to execute a specified

activity. The human creates code that tells a computer, application, or software program

what to do. In other term, computer programming is a set of instructions that allows

specific actions to be performed.

Previous studies indicate that most of the students find computer programming as

difficult to learn, (Thuné & Eckerdal, 2018). In addition, it stated that the students must

acquire theoretical knowledge and then experience building programs to learn computer

programming. Even though this program only covers fundamental principles and several

programming languages. The student must be able to comprehend and apply concepts

that are very complicated and need a high level of logical and analytical abilities.

According to the study of Calimag, a survey done in 2017, over 50% of those who took

their test, lacks basic entry-level computer programming skills. It turns out that computer

programming is difficult to learn even in the normal mode of learning.

The researcher conducts this study to determine if the students have learned and

to know their difficulties with the lesson in his field of study about computer

programming even without face-to-face classes. Thus, this study would like to know if

the distance learning is an effective mode of learning in teaching computer

programming in order to provide students with an alternative solution, if not.

 III. Research Problem

This main objective of this study is to determine the effectiveness of distance

learning in teaching computer programming to senior high school students under ICT

strand.

Specifically, it intended to answer the following questions:

1. What is the profile of the students in terms of:

1.1 Age

1.2 Gender

1.3 Learning modality

1.4 Internet Access

1.5 Learning materials / devices available at home

1.6 Work Status

2. What are the difficulties faced by the students on learning computer

programming in distance learning in terms of their profile?

3. Is the distance learning more effective than face-to-face learning in teaching

computer programming?

4. If not, what programs/projects may be proposed to enhance learning

capability in computer programming for ICT students?

 IV. Scope and Limitation

The study will focus on measuring the effectiveness of distance learning in

teaching computer programming to students. It will also focus on the current Grade 12 -

Information and Communication Technology (ICT) students. The subjects were selected

based on their strand related to this field of study. These students were currently

enrolled at Philippine Women’s University Calamba. And the study limits its coverage on

the school year 2021 – 2022.

V. Significance of the Study

The researcher believes that this study will not only provide data that will be

useful to him, but also be a great benefit to the following:

To the students. The results will provide the students with some understanding

about the more proficient way on how they can learn computer programming. It will

provide students with knowledge on this specific topic.

To the teachers. The results will give the teachers deeper understanding about

this study and for them to know why this topic was chosen by the researcher. It will help

them to know the importance of this study on a regular basis of students in distance

learning.

To the future researcher. This study may possibly be of interest to future

researchers in ICT strand. It might be used as a guide to gather information and as a

basis for their study. And the result will provide them an understanding about the

importance of learning computer programming in an effective way.

VI. Assumption

1. The instruments to be used will provide reliable responses.

2. The responders will completely understand the questions that will be asked to

them.

3. The respondents will answer questions honestly.

4. The researcher will facilitate the proposed intervention in a consistent

manner.

VII. Hypothesis

From the problems stated in research problem, the following hypothesis were

formulated:

H0: Distance learning is not an effective mode of learning in teaching computer

programming.
https://www.deped.gov.ph/2020/10/06/briones-welcomes-24-7m-learners-for-sy-2020-2021-declares-

opening-of-classes-a-victory/

https://newsinfo.inquirer.net/1402235/sws-58-of-pinoy-students-used-devices-for-distance-learning

https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03043797.2018.1544609

https://newsbytes.ph/2017/02/01/study-over-50-of-pinoy-it-students-lack-programming-skills/