Review literature

Academic Performance
Academic performance has been defined and explained by several authors. According to Narad
and Abdullah (2016) academic performance is the knowledge gained which is assessed by marks by a
teacher and/or educational goals set by students and teachers to be achieved over a specific period of
time. They added that these goals are measured by using continuous assessment or examination results.
Annie, Howard and Midred (as cited in Arhad, Zaidi & Mahmood, 2015) also indicated that academic
performance measures education outcome. They stressed that it shows and measures the extent to
which an educational institution, teachers and students have achieved their educational goals. Similarly,
Yusuf, Onifade and Bello (2016) opined that academic performance is a measurable and observable
behaviour of a student within a specific period. He added that it consists of scores obtained by a student
in an assessment such as class exercise, class test, mid-semester, mock examination, and end of semester
examination.
The definitions given by the authors’ shows that the definition of academic performance is
based on measurable outcomes such as class exercise, test, and examinations results. Based on this, the
operational definition of academic performance used in this study is the results obtained by a student at
end of a specific term in all subject.

Online distance learning

Online classes or digital education, according to Villanueva (2020), provide “increased levels of
safety” because students are at home and not exposed to the COVID-19 virus. Nevertheless, the
Department of Health (DOH) has cautioned that it could damage students' mental and psychological
health. According to one study, online classes are likely to increase students' feelings of isolation due to
the lack of face-to-face interaction. According to Subedi et al., 2020 E-learning tools have played a crucial
role during this pandemic, helping schools and universities facilitate student learning during the closure
of universities and schools. While adapting to the new changes, staff and student readiness needs to be
gauged and supported accordingly. The learners with a fixed mindset find it difficult to adapt and adjust,
whereas the learners with a growth mindset quickly adapt to a new learning environment. There is no
one-size-fits-all pedagogy for online learning. There are a variety of subjects with varying needs.
Different subjects and age groups require different approaches to online learning (Doucet et al., 2020).
Online learning also allows physically challenged students with more freedom to participate in learning
in the virtual environment, requiring limited movement (Basilaia & Kvavadze, 2020).According to Singh &
Thurman, 2019 Online learning can be termed as a tool that can make the teaching–learning process
more student-centered, more innovative, and even more flexible. Online learning is defined as “learning
experiences in synchronous or asynchronous environments using different devices (e.g., mobile phones,
laptops, etc.) with internet access. In these environments, students can be anywhere (independent) to
learn and interact with instructors and other students”
The definitions given by the authors’ shows that the distance learning, also known as distance
education, e-learning, or online learning, is a type of education in which teachers and students are
physically separated during instruction and various technologies are used to enhance student-teacher
and student communication. The term "new normal" has become one of the most commonly used terms
in the midst of the pandemic. The rising usage of online learning resources has become the new
standard in education. The COVID-19 pandemic has prompted innovative approaches to education.
Educational institutions all across the world are turning to online learning platforms to continue the
process of educating students.
Opportunities for Teaching and Learning
It has forged a strong connection between teachers and parents than ever before. The
homeschooling requires parents to support the students’ learning academically and economically.
Children with disabilities need additional and special support during this ongoing emergency.
The use of online platforms such as Google Classroom, Zoom, virtual learning environment and social
media and various group forums like Telegram, Messenger, WhatsApp and WeChat are explored and
tried for teaching and learning for the first time ever to continue education. This can be explored further
even after face-to-face teaching resumes and these platforms can provide additional resources and
coaching to the learners. Teachers are obliged to develop creative initiatives that assist to overcome the
limitations of virtual teaching. Teachers are actively collaborating with one another at a local level to
improve online teaching methods. According to Doucet et al., 2020 there are incomparable
opportunities for cooperation, creative solutions and willingness to learn from others and try new tools
as educators, parents and students share similar experiences.
The definitions given by the authors’ shows that ,Although there have been overwhelming
challenges for educators, schools, institutes and the government regarding online education from a
different angle, there are several opportunities created by the COVID-19 pandemic for the unprepared
and the distant plans of implementing e- learning system.

Changes in a way of teaching this pandemic

The shift from face-to-face lectures to online classes is the only possible solution. Indeed,
academic institutions would not be able to transform all of their college curricula into and online
resource overnight. Distance, scale, and personalized teaching and learning are the three biggest
challenges for online teaching. Innovative solutions by institutions can only help us deal with this
pandemic (Liguori & Winkler, 2020). There is a requirement of a quick shift to online learning mode;
therefore, the products by Google can be really useful under such problematic situations; they are (a)
Gmail, (b) Google Forms, (c) Calendars, (d) G-Drive, (e) Google Hangouts, (f) Google Jam board and
Drawings, (g) Google Classroom, and (h) Open Board Software (not a Google product, helps in recording
meetings in the form of files). These tools can successfully be used as an alternative for face-to-face
classes (Basilaia et al., 2020).
The definitions given by the authors’ shows that, due to the pandemic the sudden shift away
from the classroom in many parts of the globe has changes the way of teaching. Under such situation the
product of Google forms can be really helpful for everyone to participate in online classes. In addition
there are some challenges during an online class, even there are number of technologies available for
online education but sometimes they create a lot of difficulties. These difficulties and problems
associated with modern technology range from downloading errors, issues with installation, login
problems, problems with audio and video, and so on. Sometimes student finds online teaching to be
boring and unengaging.

Challenges in online distance learning

Despite the conveniences of online distance learning, challenges also are encountered by
students and teachers. The unexpected change to online learning became a measure of organizational
agility (Wu, 2020), with several academic institutions primarily focused on the transfer of educational
content to the digital world and not specifically on online teaching and delivery methods. Nonetheless, it
was a reminder of the lack of resources in academic institutions and the social marginalization of
students, where insufficient access and availability of the internet and the lack of latest technology
affected organizational responsiveness and students' capacity to participate in digital learning (Karademir
et al., 2020; Zhong, 2020).Jacob (2016) added that it was difficult for preschool, kindergarten and even
early primary grade students to work with educational software because it required the use of a mouse
or keyboard. Students' digital literacy is an important factor in online distance learning because without
it, the challenge in learning will be much greater
According to Zhong, 2020 lack of proper interaction with instructors is another major concern associated
with online learning. Additionally, concerns regarding any content of the online course are usually
discussed with the relevant course instructor by e-mail, which requires response time.
The definitions given by the authors’ shows that there are a lot of challenges that students
encountered during online classes. There are some student experiencing technical issues since the
Internet became a part of their lives since they became aware of their surroundings. And according to
Averia, 2020 Internet connectivity is a popular complaint being highlighted among teachers and students
as the Philippines is still one of the countries in Asia with slow internet. Wireless connectivity is another
challenge as the nation has seen on television or read news reports of teachers and students going up on
mountain sides or on hilltops to catch wireless signals to use the internet. Also, according to Adonis
2020, cited that teachers suspected that the decrease in class size was related to poor internet
connection as millions of students and parents struggled to familiarize themselves with the new learning
platforms prompted by the new coronavirus pandemic. The Philippines' slow internet connection, posed
a great challenge among students, especially those who are from remote places. Throughout the
literature, there is a consistent evidence that online distance learning brought challenges to students.

Communication barriers during online classes

Social media is changing the way we communicate. Facebook, Skype, YouTube, Twitter (among
many others) and mobile devices are used in education and business in much the same way as they
are used in our daily lives as important, preferred ways to communicate. Amadora (2020) also
pointed out that with the lack of interaction during online classes, students tend to get distracted easily
on smart phones, pets, deliveries and many others rather than the ongoing online class. Because
face-to-face interaction is absent, it is theorized that students will experience the lack of interest in the
online class. Furthermore, according to Patricia 2020, lack of motivation and negative emotions make it
difficult for many students to focus on online education.
Barriers to learning are problems or situations that prevent learners from accessing programs,
which make it difficult for learners to engage in study or make it hard for learners to concentrate and
learn. Among barriers to online learning, the most frequently encountered were difficulty adjusting
learning styles, having to perform responsibilities at home, and poor communication or lack of clear
directions from educators

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