Problems Encountered and Coping Mechanisms of Students in Online Class
Problems Encountered and Coping Mechanisms of Students in Online Class
Problems Encountered and Coping Mechanisms of Students in Online Class
COVID- 19 Pandemic
Kathleen Castro Valendia
Marie Fe Ferrer Montes
Nestee Ely Claro Dalere
Windell Mata
Anglica Cabrera Cadalzo
Christine Joy Visperas Ganir
Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education
College of Teacher Education
Mariano Marcos State University
A. Castro Avenue, 2900 Laoag City, Ilocos Norte, Philippines
Corresponding Authors
Abstract:
This study assessed the problems encountered and coping mechanisms of students in
online class during covid-19 pandemic at Mariano Marcos State University- College of
Teacher Education under the Technical Vocational and Livelihood Education Department. A
total of one hundred students were randomly selected from this department. Data were
collected through the use of researcher- made survey questionnaire that was carried on
through online. Results show that different student go through different life experiences that
may affect them in one way or another. Students’ behavior, interests, and performance in
school may be due to certain situations they went through that had a great impact on them.
One of the reasons why they are experiencing slow internet connectivity is due to the place
where they live in. Most of our respondents are living in a rural area where they are far from
the cities or cell sites are not available in the area. Thus, the result of this made some of the
students were not able to join synchronous classes, late submission of some activities and not
able to grasp teachers instructions. However, despite these challenges that they are facing,
they make strategies on how to cope with their online class. They manage their time in doing
all their responsibilities at home and activities from school. Thus, no matter how hard the
situation is, teachers and students never get tired in delivering and understanding each lesson.
Hence, internet can be a problem but never a hindrance in achieving their goals.
1. Introduction
For almost a year, Corona Virus (COVID-19) has widely affected the world. It caused
many damages to humankind where lives are being taken, works have been canceled,
people’s job became unstable and education has abruptly changed. According to World
Health Organization, COVID-19 is a contagious disease where people who are infected with
this virus will experience respiratory illness and if not recovered, life would be at stake. With
the widespread of this virus and increasing number of cases, the government needs to call for
nationwide lockdown where no one is allowed to go outside their houses unless they are
frontliners. Amidst pandemic, we are all trying to survive. We became vigilant in all the
activities we do and adjust to the things we used to do. The nationwide lockdown have been
affected schools that results to online class and some of the schools had shut all across the
world (Li C. & Lalani F., 2020). Just like how we spend our schooling before, traditional
face-to-face teaching and learning process has rapidly modified. According to Tam G. and
Azar D. (2020), with the condition we are dealing right now have led millions of students into
temporary ‘home- schooling’ situations. Since the outbreak of Covid- 19, virtual classes have
been implemented by elementary, secondary and tertiary education as the first- string to teach
or as a learning method. No matter how students, parents and teachers aren’t prepared for this
kind of set-up, they don’t have any other choice but to follow unless they want their children
being left behind. Online Class/ Learning is a form of education where internet and
technology are being used in delivering topics and lesson (Bartley & Golek, 2004; Evan &
Haase, 2001).
With the kind of teaching and learning we have right now has no guarantee that all
learning materials that were given can enhance and improve the knowledge that we have. It is
a 50-50 chance that we understood the lesson or not. Based on the studies of Farinella, et al
(2000); Kim and Bonk (2006) and Pape, (2010), the internet had become a way to make
online classes and learning possible. While combating the reduction of resources in
education, online class/ learning is the best way on how to enhance and improve students
learning especially in higher education. Moreover, according to Loeb (2020), online learning
is not generally effective as the traditional face- to face classes but it is not certainly better
than no classes at all. If there are means to conduct classes then why delay education? On the
other hand, how about students who suffer and deprived from Internet connectivity? How
about students who reside in far- flung areas where there’s no stable internet connection? A
lot of student suffers from this kind of situation because some may not have access to high-
speed internet connection at home that may affect their class participation, activities to pass
and unable to join class via google meet, zoom and other platforms. Students took online
classes because traditional face-to-face class is not feasible (Picciano and Seaman, 2009).
However, there are drawbacks to online classes where internet connection is one of the
problems that students are facing right now. Assignments, class participation and discussion
are being interrupted. Some are unable to join classes, some are not able to pass their
activities on time and some are being stressed for being bombarded with paper works. We are
all relying to internet where education is available and would be possible (online class) but
unstable internet connection, accessibility, gadgets, financially unstable can be a pretty big
problem.
However, with the widespread of this virus students never stopped from reaching their
goals. They pursued education even in its darkest time. They find ways for them to cope with
the lesson given by their teachers/ instructors. Puhl and Brownell (2003) defined coping
pressure or stress. It is also where students are able to successfully manage the stressful and
hectic situations/events that they are experiencing. Moreover, Van Dorp and Monteros
(2010), highlighted that stress and problems encountered by the students are cause by online
distance learning. Therefore, what students need to do is to find ways in which they can cope
and manage the situation they are in. Coping strategies are governed through personal likes
and dislikes, peer influences, accessibility and social influence (Yackel, 1998). Research
studies found out that problems during online class can affect their academic performance
and drop- outs in school (Ramos, 2011; Rourke et al., 2010). Hence, various coping
Thus, this study will assess the problems encountered and coping mechanisms of
The purpose of this study is to be familiar with students’ experiences to online class.
In particular, we seek to find answers to the following problem: (1) what are the problems of
student during online class; and (2) what are the coping mechanism of students’ who
2. Methods
The study was conducted to the school where the respondents are presently studying
at Mariano Marcos State University- College of Teacher Education which was located in
This study employed a descriptive survey design where a sample of 100 students was
selected from the entire population of Technical- Vocational and Livelihood Education
department at MMSU- CTE. This survey was carried out in order to find out the occurring
problems encountered and coping mechanisms of students in online class during COVID-19
pandemic.
First, the researchers requested their subject teacher to officially allow them to
conduct the study. As soon as the request approved, copies of the survey questionnaire were
distributed to the identified respondents. The survey questionnaire were administered through
online. After completing the entire data gathering procedure, data was studied, tabulated,
This study used survey questionnaire in the form of checklist as main instrument to collect
data and information from the respondents. This instrument will allow the researchers to
answer the problems and queries posted in this study. The researchers will develop survey
questionnaire and will divide it into two parts. Part I asks for the background information
about the respondents. This includes name, age, educational level and place they live in
(urban or rural). Part II includes 20 item phrases where respondents are tasked to agree or
disagree, if it’s being experienced/practiced or not. This instrument will serve as a guide in
determining the problems encountered of students and their coping mechanism in dealing
Figure 1 to 4 shows the demographic profile of the respondents where they were
asked to answer their personal profile. Most of our respondents aged 18-21 years old and that
is 96% of the total respondents while others aged 22-25 and that is equivalent to 4%. Also,
64% of them are female and 36% of them are male. 74% of these respondents are currently
living in rural area and 26% of them resides in urban places. Moreover, their family income
ranges to 10,000 and above, however, 70% of the respondents’ family income ranges below
10,000 pesos.
Covid- 19 had really affected the world wherein everything is new to humankind.
Changes have been continuously growing. In the new normal, online class is one of the
changes in the teaching and learning process. Thus, students either choose to adopt the new
normal or be left behind in education. Online class is not easy for it is new to us and not
everyone can have stable internet connection to cope with their studies. Thus, having
difficulties in accepting the new way of teaching and learning had brought some problems to
the students.
The most common problem of students regarding online class is that their
performance in their academic fields are being affected. 44% of them strongly agreed that
their performance stability is one of the problems they have encountered in online class. One
of the reasons why academic performance is being affected is due to unattended meetings or
Also, another problem that they have encountered is the missed examinations. And
44% of them are experiencing this problem. Due to some reasons they have not taken their
exams on time maybe because internet connection is poor and they have something to do that
cannot be done tomorrow. Thus, with these missed examinations, it can somewhat affected
Moreover, 34% of them are experiencing bad and unstable internet connection. We all
know that online class needs strong and stable internet connection to cope with the lessons
and other activities in our studies. However, due to poor connectivity, the accumulation of
knowledge is not 100% guaranteed that it was being understood and internalized by the
students.
Despite of the problems that students have been facing, they never get tired in making
ways in how to cope with their lessons and activities to be passed. Education can be much
harder right now but through students’ determination and courage everything would be
endurable.
Whenever students’ are having hard time in coping with their online classes they have
their own strategies on how to make it lighter. 60% of the do the time management. What
comes first should be done first to avoid complications of workloads. Also, when things
aren’t clear for them, they ask clarifications to their instructors and teachers and that is
equivalent to 42%. Furthermore, 42% of them restarts their phone, pc and even their Wi-Fi
just to get better and faster internet connection. These are the only few coping mechanisms
and strategies of students in their online class as traditional face-to-face learning is not still
possible.
4. Implication
The findings of the study could be an eye opener to the teachers to give consideration
to the students who suffer from internet connectivity and those who have difficulties in
coping to the new normal or teaching and learning process. Also, the following
Teachers must know how to limit workloads for the students because not everyone
can easily cope with the topics especially if students resides in rural area where internet
connection is difficult. Also, they should provide necessary considerations with the deadline
in a certain activity so that no one can be left behind. Moreover, they must understand the
situation of every individual and assess them if they are coping or they have problems with
To parents, they must understand that the situation before is different from the
situation today. They should not scold or get mad to their children whenever they are facing
their cellphones and computers all day because that’s a part of the new way of teaching and
learning process. They should provide support and good vibes to their children so that the
accumulation of knowledge will be stable and will not cause problems to their children.
5. Study Limitations
This study covered the Technical Vocational and Livelihood Department at Mariano
Marcos State University- College of Teacher Education. It will focus on individuals who
suffers from internet connectivity and those who have difficulties in coping with the new way
of teaching and learning process. The researchers chose these respondents because they
believe that they are more capable and sensitive in terms of answering and reflecting on their
6. Conclusion
Different student go through different life experiences that may affect them in one
way or another. Students’ behavior, interests, and performance in school may be due to
certain situations they went through that had a great impact on them. Just like how Covid- 19
have affected our lives. Every aspects in life brought to many changes and that includes our
teaching and learning process. Online class is one their solutions so that the accumulation of
knowledge will not stop. However, this kind of set- up have brought students difficulties.
Internet connection is one of the problems encountered by the students during online
class. One of the reasons why they are experiencing slow internet connectivity is due to the
place where they live in. Most of our respondents are living in a rural area where they are far
from the cities or cell sites are not available in the area. The effect of this is that students are
unable to join some class meetings, not able to take the exam on time and incapable of
understanding some instruction that may affect their academic performance. Also, they
identified that gadgets are limited for them. Most of them have not enough gadgets to use for
their online class. Moreover, with the fast changes in the teaching and learning, load
allowance is insufficient for the students. It became a problem because 70% of them have
10,000 and below of monthly income. Due to this situation, some parents are became irritated
whenever student are not able to do their task at home. Their responsibilities at home
somewhat affects their school responsibilities. They also included power interruption as their
problem during online class especially those students who are affected by the recent typhoons
and other calamities. However, despite these problems they are experiencing, they are still
With these problems encountered, students never stopped from learning. They build
ways to cope with their lessons. They manage their time in doing all their responsibilities at
home and activities from school. When connection is not really good, students go to cities or
places where they could get strong signal. Also, they restart or get closer to their modem/ Wi-
Fi for them to have a better connection. The sad thing here is that they even put their pocket
Wi-Fi in the roof so that it can accumulate faster connection. They also point out that when
their load allowance is not sufficient for them, they do part time jobs, for some. Students who
are have not attended classes or they missed an announcement their remedy for this is to talk
to their teachers to ask for clarification or they ask their classmates about their activities and
whatnots. Respondents also borrow or buy gadgets just to cope with their classes. Our new
set up of teaching and learning became an instrument to see how determined students are.
They don’t want being left behind. They know how to value and appreciate education.
Thus, no matter how hard the situation is. Teachers and students never get tired in
delivering and understanding every lesson. This is a challenge for us to survive every
struggles that we are all facing. Therefore, the problems encountered by the students in online
class during pandemic have somewhat affected their academic performance but still they
manage these problems by creating their coping mechanisms in their online classes.
Acknowledgement
The authors would like to extend their profoundest gratitude to the following people
To Dr. Mark R. Limon, their subject adviser, for patiently providing the much-
needed wisdom and guidance, and for unselfishly sharing her expertise from
To the authors informants, who have undoubtedly trusted the authors with information
Author Contribution
K.C. Valendia, M.F. Montes and N.E. Dalere performed the introduction part of the
paper. Also, K.C. Valendia accomplished writing the methodology of the study. While W.
Hernando, A. Cadalzo and C.J. Ganir gathered the much needed data. Moreover, K.C.
Valendia and M.F. Montes compiled, analyzed and interpreted the data until completion.
Questionnaire
Research instrument:
Will use survey questionnaire using checklist
1. I don’t have enough or high-tech. gadgets to use in my online class.
2. I don’t have strong internet connectivity.
3. I don’t have enough source of money to sustain my load allowance.
4. I don’t have more time in doing my household chores.
5. I cannot automatically grasp what the instructor is saying.
6. I usually heard some rants from my parents for being always in front of my
computer or cellphone.
7. I have unstable internet connection that can affect my online performance.
8. I have poor internet connection that delays my activities for submission.
9. I experienced taking the exams and not able to submit it.
10. I was not able to join online meetings/session.
Research instrument:
Will use survey questionnaire
1. I borrow or buy gadgets for my online class.
2. I go to cities or places where I can find strong signal.
3. I do part time job to finance my load allowance.
4. I manage my time by setting my priorities.
5. I ask my teachers or classmate to clarify vague instructions.
6. I talk to my parents every time they make rants.
7. I move closer to the Wi-Fi or router.
8. I put my pocket Wi-Fi or modem in the roof to get some signal.
9. I restart the modem or router and even my phone/pc for faster process.
10. I disconnect other devices so that I could get stronger signal.
References:
A .Van Dorp & T. Monteros, Challenges for Open and Distance Learning in Post 2010.e
Bartley, S. J., & Golek, J. H. (2004). Evaluating the Cost Effectiveness of Online and Face-
Farinella, J. A., Hobbs, B. K., & Weeks, H. S. (2000). Distance delivery: The faculty
Kim, K., & Bonk, C. J. (2006). The future of online teaching and learning in higher
Kim, K.-H. 2006. Enhancement of secondary special education teachers’ knowledge and
Pape, L. (2010). Blended Teaching & Learning. School Administrator, 67(4), 16–21.
Picciano, A. G., and J. Seaman. 2007. K–12 online learning: A survey of U.S. school
stress profile : A tool for stress audit in medical training. Medical Education, 44,
R. Puhl and K.D. Brownell, Ways of coping with obesity stigma: Review and conceptual
4%
15- 17
18-21
22-25
96%
Sex
Male
36% Female
64%
Place of Residents
19%
Rural
Urban
81%
Figure 3. The percentage of students’ residents
Family Income
2% Below 10,000
5%2%
10,001-15,000
9%
15,001-20,000
20,001-30,000
12% 30,001-40,000
40,001- above
70%
Disagree 9%
Strongly Disagree 1%
Agree 46%
Disagree 9%
Strongly Disagree 1%
Disagree 10%
Strongly Disagree 1%
Agree 53%
Disagree 12%
Strongly Disagree 2%
Agree 48%
Disagree 20%
Strongly Disagree 2%
Agree 61%
Disagree 14%
Strongly Disagree 1%
Agree 55%
Disagree 20%
Strongly Disagree 5%
Disagree 28%
Strongly Disagree 5%
Agree 46%
Disagree 26%
Strongly Disagree 5%
Disagree 19%
Strongly Disagree 1%
Never 0%
Sometimes 55%
Never 3%
Sometimes 39%
Never 19%
Never 30%
Sometimes 37%
Never 33%
Sometimes 49%
Never 31%
Sometimes 62%
Never 19%
Sometimes 41%
Never 41%
Never 45%
Sometimes 64%
Never 28%
Table 2. Percentage of practiced coping mechanisms and strategies of students in Online
Class during Covid- 19 pandemic.