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CHAPTER 1

THE PROBLEM AND ITS BACKGROUND

Introduction

In the early stages of this pandemic, it was difficult for everyone to adjust

to the new Teaching Methodology. With the aid of modules, Google Platforms

are one of the most helpful resources to study throughout this Pandemic. Flex

Learning is the name of this Learning Strategy.

According to Dr. Pawilen (2020), one of the speakers and an associate

professor at the College of Human Ecology, defined Flexible Learning as a

learner-centered method where students have control over the timing, location,

and mode of instruction. Flex Learning is one of the implemented learning

modalities during Pandemic, which offered students the opportunity to study in

their home and at the same time, study inside the campus when it is safe.

Student’s ability to carry on with their studies despite the Pandemic was a

significant advantage, they did not waste any time and opportunity to learn

because of Flex Learning. Some people struggled with this strategy since they do

not have access to technology, the internet, or even electricity to study.

According to the ELM Learning 2022 article “What is Blended Learning? A

guide to everything you need to know,” Blended Learning accommodates all

types of learners, whether they prefer the comfortable traditional classroom or

would prefer to learn online. Existing information can be redesigned for online

delivery in a way that enhances the current training. The most recent Learning
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modes and trends can be swiftly included in the curriculum by instructors. By

allowing learners to take the lead and decide how and when to interact with the

material, Blended Learning promotes a buffet-style approach to teaching. The

involvement in the community keeps students interested and updates teachers

on their development. Moreover, with Blended Learning, students may discuss

with their teachers and friends what they could not accomplish during class

interaction, making preparation for the course in the classroom more effective

(Utami, 2018).

Yet, despite all these amazing advantages of Blended Learning or Flex

Learning it also has its negative impact on both teachers and students. Lack of

internet connectivity or student access to gadgets is one of the main issues

facing Philippine Colleges, according to an article titled Looking to the future of

Flexible Learning in the Philippines by Times Higher Education (2021). In an

interview with CNN Philippines, DepEd Undersecretary and Spokesperson

Annalyn Sevilla stated that DepEd has no control over the connectivity issue.

Sevilla declared, "The internet problem is not just a problem in the Philippines; it

is a problem globally." (Hernando-Malipot, 2020).  

According to the K12 Academics’ article “Disadvantages for Blended

Learning”, Blended Learning could have disadvantages in technical aspects

since it has a strong dependence on technical resources or tools. Its literacy can

serve as a significant barrier for students attempting to get access to course

materials. Another aspect of Blended Learning that can be challenging is group

work because of difficulties with management in an online setting. Reportedly the

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use of lecture recording technologies can result in students falling behind on the

materials because they will only watch it in one sitting and during rush hours.

Additionally, using e-learning platforms can be more time-consuming than

traditional methods for both students and teachers. Lastly, plagiarizing answers

can be very tempting which results in the students not learning anything at all.

Nonetheless, we all know that Flexible Learning is a state of being in

which learning and teaching are increasingly liberated from the constraints of

time, place and pace. The effectiveness of Flex Learning will reflect on the

Academic Performance of the students. It is not just a mode of study, it is also a

value principle in education and society more broadly, just as diversity and

equality are. Flexible Learning can pursue students to learn on their own, or with

someone’s guidance.

We, researchers, developed a study based on the information and ideas

presented above entitled “The Effects of Flex Learning on the Academic

Performance of Grade 12 Accounting, Business and Management Students of

Alaminos City National High School S.Y. 2022-2023”, which will validate and

prove whether Flex Learning has a positive or negative impact on students’

learning and academics. Thus, this study aimed to know the effects of Flex

Learning on the Academic Performance of Grade 12 Accountancy, Business and

Management Students of Alaminos City National High School.

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Statement of the Problem

This research aims to determine and find out the Effects of Flex Learning

on the Academic Performance of the Grade 12 Accountancy, Business and

Management Students of Alaminos City National High School. More specifically,

it seeks to answer the following questions:

1) What are the profile of the Senior High School Grade 12-ABM Students in

terms of:

a. Sex; and

b. Age?

2) Is Flex Learning helpful to the learning progress of the Grade 12-ABM

Students?

3) Is there a significant impact of Flex Learning on the Academic Performance of

Grade 12 Accountancy, Business and Management Students of Alaminos

City National High School?

Statement of the Hypothesis

In connection to the stated problems, the researchers have formulated the

following hypothesis:

Ha: There are significant effects of Flex Learning on the Academic Performance

of Grade 12- ABM Students of Alaminos City National High School S.Y. 2022-

2023.
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Ho: There are no significant effects of Flex Learning on the Academic

Performance of Grade 12- ABM Students of Alaminos City National High School.

Significance of the Study

This study will provide information and better understanding about the

Effects of Flex Learning on the Academic Performance of the Grade 12

Accountancy, Business and Management Students of Alaminos City National

High School. The study could be of importance to the following individuals and

sectors:

Students. The students will benefit as this study will help them

understand more about the Effects of Flex Learning on their Academic

Performance. This may also be of aid for them to get used to attending both face-

to-face and online classes during Pandemic.

Teachers. This study will be beneficial for teachers because it will make it

easier for them to assist their students and adjust their teaching strategies

accordingly. Mostly, they can adjust when teaching face-to-face and online

classes.

Parents and Guardians. Their understanding of the value of Flexible

Learning and how innovative teaching techniques operate will be aided by this

study.

School Administrators. With the help of this study, the schools could

tend to the possible downsides of Flex Learning and improve their educational
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system to provide students the quality education that will influence their

performance in school positively.

Society. Education is one of the most relevant things in a society. The

results of this study can give enlightenment whether Flex Learning is operative

for education during the Pandemic or not. This will also give them knowledge

about the different outcomes between a pure Face-to-Face education and Flex

Learning.

Future Researchers. The upcoming researchers can utilize this study as

a foundation, an assessment, or a resource of information for their own study.

Conceptual Framework

In order to further understand and investigate the relationship between

Flex Learning and Academic Performance, the researchers conceptualized a

paradigm to serve as a guide throughout the study. Below depicts the

relationship between the independent variable and the dependent variable.

INDEPENDENT VARIABLE DEPENDENT VARIABLE

FLEX LEARNING ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE

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Figure 1. The Research Paradigm

In this conceptual framework, Figure 1 is the Research Paradigm of the

present study showing the relationship between the variables involved. Flex

Learning is the independent variable that is not influenced by other variables but

rather it is the one that influences. Nonetheless, Academic Performance of Grade

12- ABM Students of Alaminos City National High School S.Y. 2022-2023 is the

dependent variable. It is conceptualized that there is a significant relationship

between the Flex Learning and the Academic Performance of Grade 12 ABM

Students of Alaminos City National High School S.Y. 2022-2023

Scope and Limitations of the Study

This study will focus on identifying the factors of Flex Learning and how it

affects the Academic Performance of Grade 12 Accountancy, Business and

Management Students of Alaminos City National High School S.Y. 2022-2023.

This research will cover up only the responses of the questions provided

by the questionnaire inducing the profiles of the respondents in terms of sex and

age. The other students which do not fall as a part of Grade 12 ABM students are

not within the scope of this research. The research would be conducted out by

distributing questionnaires to students as a survey and reference instrument.

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Definition of Terms

For the readers to have a better understanding of this study, the terms

were provided and defined:

Academic Performance – Conceptually, is the extent to which student or

teacher institution has achieved their short-term or long-term educational goals.

Blended Learning – Operationally, accommodate all types of learners, whether

they prefer the comfortable traditional classroom or would prefer to learn online

class.

Education –  Conceptually, a process of receiving knowledge and honing

different skills and character traits, typically from teachers at a school or

university.

Flex Learning – Conceptually, an approach that gives students some choice in

their learning format. They get to decide whether they want to  approach lessons

or even entire courses face-to-face, online, or classrooms.

Innovative Teaching Techniques – Conceptually defined, it is the learning

development that happens in a specific educating and learning setting, working

on the reception of acknowledged practice, or laying out another work on

prompting better learning results.

Learning Strategy – Conceptually, a person's method of organizing and

employing a certain set of skills to accomplish tasks more effectively.

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Learner-centered – Conceptually, it is about shifting the focus of instruction from

the instructor to the learner. This shift offers the best experience for the learner

because it has them engage with the instructor, the content, and other learners.

Modules – Operationally, a printed notes or resource that provides teaching

guidance for the students.

Students – Operationally, Grade 12 learners who are studying Accountancy

Teaching Methodology – Conceptually, a teaching method comprises the

principles and methods used by teachers to enable student learning.