LIVED EXPERIENCES OF TEACHERS IN IMPLEMENTING MODULAR DISTANCE LEARNING IN THE PHILIPPINE SETTING

Abstract

COVID-19 pandemic posed various challenges and issues in the education system in the country. The pandemic forced the schools to temporarily close to contain the spread of the virus. Thus, the School Year 2020-2021 became the “new normal” of education where traditional in-person learning shifted into distance learning which threatened not only the parents and learners but most especially the Department of Education. The pandemic created challenges to the Department of Education on what they can do to ensure that though the delivery of learning changes, the quality of the education remains the same. The study is qualitative research with a phenomenology research design. It was conducted to explain the lived experiences of Teachers in Implementing Modular Distance Learning. Specifically, this aims in discussing the experiences and challenges encountered by the teachers in implementing the MDL as part of the “New Normal”. Purposive sampling was used in selecting 5 teachers that participated in the study. The researcher used online interviews through Google forms and Messenger calls to seek in-depth information that revealed the lived experiences of the teachers in implementing modular distance learning modality. Colaizzi’s 1978 method of data analysis was utilized to analyze and interpret the results of this study. Findings from the study showed themes based on the experience of teachers in implementing MDL. Through the result of this study, SDO- Alaminos City may utilize the results in designing various Professional Development Programs/training that would enhance the capability of teachers and provide a support system to teachers during modular distance learning