College Education Students' Learning Experiences on the Advent of Online Distance Education in the Philippines: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

The introduction of online distance learning in the Philippines was like the emergence of an uninvited houseguest who refused to leave. This pandemic disrupted the status quo of education, and as a result, institutions resorted to using online distance learning methods. The purpose of this research was to explore the home-based learning experiences of college education students. Phenomenological interviews were used to collect information from 15 participants of the study. Overall, a text analysis was structured around their perspectives on learning during the COVID-19 pandemic and found significant themes related to online distance education like methods and means regarding how college students manage their learning activities; challenges unique to online distance education including issues with technology and internet access, problems creating a conducive learning atmosphere, and a lack of financial resources for acquiring necessary learning resources. Yet, online distance education has positives like lower costs as travel and uniforms are cut; students become adaptable to the circumstances and independent learners; and some can work while learning to support themselves. Students' technological capacity, personal beliefs, and viewpoints to support learning resolve the problems.