New Reality: Online Distance Learning in Philippines

In the last 20 years, internet grow into largest and most accessible dataset of information created. Internet create an impact on the way people communicate, socialize, shop, do business and most of all, to learning. So the same impact it has on education and learning processes. In the beginning of the “Online/distance learning” essay we will discuss the concept of online (or distance) learning, both advantageas and disadvantages and as a conclusion - its implementation in Philippines. 

Online Learning

According to Stern, online learning is education that takes place over the web or internet and could be referred to as ‘e-learning’ among other terms. It is offered synchronous or asynchronous. Due to the sudden outbreak of Covid19 virus (SARS-Cov-2) causing a pandemic, the online learning enrollment has increased dramatically “as many academic institutions that were earlier reluctant to change their pedagogical approach had no option but to shift entirely to online teaching—learning”. With the sudden change of the pedagogy, the academic institutions together with their faculty and clienteles may face different aspects of online learning; both the advantages and disadvantages of it.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Online Learning

Many people consider online learning as the best alternative for the traditional way of learning and teaching. For Dhull and Sakshi, online learning is considered a boon due to its accessibility because through online learning, students can learn from anywhere in the world. It also personalized learning as it enables students to determine and process their learning style, content, aim, current knowledge and individual skills. Online Learning will also improve cognitive ability as the students have access to rich information. It also helps students to improve basic computer skills that could be useful in their professional life and future endeavors. Additionally, online learning is also cost-effective because “less money is spent in travelling and in buying books or spending money in college context.” Lastly, it promotes globalization as students share their ideas and resources, access information about current events and historical archives, interact with experts and use online data-bases.

Like coin, there is always another side. If online learning has its advantages, it also has its disadvantages. As what Dhull and Sakshi said, technology is a good slave but a bad master. When excess use of technology, lack of careful planning and implementation of E-learning occur, it can actually lead to a number of problems. Poor communication, sense of isolation, frustration, stress in some cases, poor performance in learning and teaching, wasted resources and loss of revenue are some of the problems. Online learning creates barrier between the student and the teacher, affects the commitment of teachers in teaching and affects the motivation of the students.

Philippines and Online Learning

There are still vigorous debates and thorough researches about the effectiveness of online learning to the holistic development of a learner. Online learning is a new pedagogy and because of drastic changes of today’s situation, teachers and students are opt to it and now groping for adjustment. Knowing that the educational sphere in the Philippines has been struggling with problems and issues particularly on logistics from the shortages of instructional resources, facilities and even schools to underpaid but overworked teacher, it is now a challenge if online learning could be really effective. Along with this, there are also endeavors for gathering solutions for problems due to online learning.