A PHENOMENOLOGICAL STUDY ON ABM STUDENTS IN DOLORES

NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL, SY: 2019-2020 IN ADAPTING AND COPING WITH

THEIR STUDIES IN TIMES OF PANDEMIC

Dolores National High School

Dolores, Eastern Samar

In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements

for the Practical Research 2

Proponent:

Bacur, Mernalyn, A.

12-Ares
 Januray 31, 2021

ABSTRACT

The education sector is one of the highly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. In

the Philippines, where there are still a growing COVID-19 infections as of now, this

study presented some of the new normal situation in the school setting. However, there were

some posed challenges and issues presented while recommending several approaches on

the new normal. Schools at all levels, therefore, need to address these concerns and carefully

evaluate plans and procedures on the implementation of the new normal. Collaboration is

the most important at these difficult times. We should help form the post COVID-19

education, stepping to the new normal. The author, therefore recommends that the

opportunity and challenges presented should be grasped and taken a serious concern. The

challenge herewith is on how to provide and deliver quality education amidst exceptional

times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, and on what extent are we going to become prepared

when another crisis comes in the future (Tria, 2020). The Pandemic cause stress, anxiety, and

depression in all of the students that leads to bad health that hinders them to finish all of their

tasks. Some teachers give students a lot of tasks that should be done in a short time, because

of this students sleep late at night or haven’t sleep at all, their immune system goes weaker

that makes them vulnerable to sickness. This research will be undertaken to find out the

struggles and barriers of ABM students of Dolores National High School and how they can

manage it. Significant results of this research will be crucial and beneficial.
 CHAPTER I

INTRODUCTION

This chapter of the study presents the problem and its setting. It includes the

background of the study, the objectives of the study, significance of the study, and the scope

and delimitation of the study.

Background of the Study

(Tria, 2020) The education sector is one of the highly affected by the COVID-19

pandemic. In the Philippines, where there are still a growing COVID-19 infections as of

now, this study presented some of the new normal situation in the school setting. However,

there were some posed challenges and issues presented while recommending several

approaches on the new normal. Schools at all levels, therefore, need to address these concerns

and carefully evaluate plans and procedures on the implementation of the new normal.

Collaboration is the most important at these difficult times. Researchers should help

form the post COVID-19 education, stepping to the new normal. The author, therefore

recommends that the opportunity and challenges presented should be grasped and taken a

serious concern. The challenge herewith is on how to provide and deliver quality education

amidst exceptional times, like the COVID-19 pandemic, and on what extent are we going to

become prepared when another crisis comes in the future.

The senior high school students also experienced the hardships in the emergence of

the global pandemic COVID-19 that has started last year. It has introduced us the so-called

“new normal”, and has greatly affected the way of living, studying and working. During this
crisis, there have been many changes including the rapid transition of education from the

traditional way (face-to-face) to online learning. “The pandemic-driven 134 countrywide

closures has affected the teaching-learning of more than 64.4% of the world’s student

population.”, (United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization UNESCO,

2020). Some struggles and barriers of ABM students in Dolores National High School are

some of them does not have the same access as some ABM students have, a lot of ABM

students live in upstreams with no access in internet connection at all, to be able to study

effectively the students need to travel in place with internet connection access, but internet

connection is not free, it’s one of ABM students barriers to achieve a quality learning.

The Pandemic cause stress, anxiety, and depression in all of the students that leads to

bad health that hinders them to finish all of their tasks. Some teachers give students a lot of

tasks that should be done in a short time, because of this students sleep late at night or

haven’t sleep at all, their immune system goes weaker that makes them vulnerable to

sickness. Education is one of the main facets of development in the Philippines. For most

Filipino households, this is the cornerstone to having a secure and better future (Maligalig et

al., 2019). Via a variety of educational agencies, both public and private, the government has

made significant efforts to maintain the standard of primary education. Amidst all programs

conducted, still, some problems arise. The Coronavirus pandemic has forced many students

to move to virtual learning but the struggle is just lurking around us. According to Klawitter,

2020, “Here are some challenges and difficulties students are currently facing with online

classes; distractions everywhere, staying motivated, technical issues, some students being left

behind, diminished social aspects.

Distractions are a reality of remote learning, a delivery or a pet running into the home

office can be disruptive for everyone involved, if you’re in the middle of a virtual classroom

session. As a result of these distractions – and possibly having additional responsibilities –

time management becomes more challenging. Time management is perhaps the most difficult

challenge for students to overcome because it depends entirely on self-motivation. Staying

motivated, given that students may not be attending class at asset time on a physical campus,

finding the motivation to get started on coursework can be difficult. When you don’t see your

home as a space of work, it’s kind of a struggle to get in that mindset, but designating

different places in your house, that are specifically for work can help you get your work done.

Unfortunately, technical issues are bound to happen in an online-only environment. This may

sound obvious but technical issues only add interrupt home learning sessions. Sometimes

your computer will shut down or there are moments when your Wi-Fi is spotty, and weak

monitors can make it difficult to keep up with your virtual classmates. Some students being

left behind, in the classroom, teachers can monitor the students and adjust their pace to

accommodate anyone who needs extra time. In a virtual classroom, it’s more difficult to do

so. Since it is harder to read body language virtually, learners may stay silent or “put on a

brave face” and then leave the class feeling despondent, frustrated, and having learned

nothing. The final spot in our list of the challenges of online learning goes to the loss of many

social aspects with the online route. Within the layouts of most degree programs, there are

certainly many opportunities given in social interaction with peers.

In the Philippines, there is still a limited number of literature that directly links to the

difficulties experienced by students during pandemic, and the coping mechanism of senior

high school students in their studies, especially considering the identified factors known to

influence the success and fulfillment of students in their requirements: Time management,

self-efficacy, and internet connection. Additionally, international researches conducted on

this topic do not provide sufficient evidence that the results transcend through different

cultural backgrounds. It is in this light that the purpose of this study is to explain how ABM
students in Dolores National High School adapt and cope with the barriers of their studies

during this pandemic.

Objectives of the Study

This study generally aims to determine how ABM students of DNHS cope and adapt

with the struggles and barriers of their studies.

Specifically, this study seeks to answer the following objectives:

1. Determine how they cope up with their studies despites of the struggles and barriers

they went through.

2. Enumerate the difficulties experienced by the students during the pandemic.

3. Identify at what particular hindrance does stop students to accomplish their activities

during:

4. Enumerate how ABM students adapt the new normal studies.

5. Identify the students who get failing grades.

Significance of the Study

This research will be undertaken to find out the struggles and barriers of ABM

students of Dolores National High School and how they can manage it.

More specifically, this study shall be beneficial to the following groups of people:

1. Parents
 The research will help benefit the parents of ABM students of Dolores National High

School in supporting their children to overcome their struggles and the barriers of their

studies to achieve an effective way of learning.

2. Teachers

The result of this research will be beneficial to the teachers of Dolores National High

School. Through this research teacher will effectively facilitate the delivery of the curriculum

to the students in meeting the quality academic performance they need, and we’ll also

encourage the students to help them in any ways they can to overcome and manage the

struggles and barriers on learning.

3. Curriculum Planner

The result of this research will also help the curriculum planner of the Department of

Education to develop and enhance the areas to prevent those barriers and struggles and make

a way better program on managing and overcoming it effectively.

4. Fellow Researchers

The results of this study will provide relevant data to other researchers to help the

progression of their respective studies by incorporating information related to the transition of

learning to Grade 11 ABM students of Dolores National High School.

Scope and Delimitations of the Study

The study will focused on the struggles and barriers of ABM students were on their

studies and how to manage it. To cope up the transition of learning in DNHS students who

continued to learn during the school closures. It reveals a different issue, as distance-learning

solutions are often associated with attendance challenges. The researchers will be able to find

ways on how the mode of education impacts the student in the present time. The results of the

study will depend on the composition and completeness of the initial data gathered

specifically in DNHS. In this way students will able to see results and evaluate and determine

on how are they going to adapt the new normal learning system because of COVID-19

Pandemic. The researchers will conduct the study in 3-5 months. The study is only limited to

the ABM student of Dolores National High School. It will not be possible for the researcher

to cover all ABM students of Dolores National High School. Therefore, the researcher will

cover only 4 ABM students of Dolores National High School.

 CHAPTER II

REVIEW OF THE RELATED LITERATURE AND CONCEPTUAL

FRAMEWORK

In this chapter, related literature and studies, conceptual framework, and definition of

terms are discussed in their relevance to the study being conducted by the researchers.

Related Literature and Studies

According to OECD (2020), a holistic approach to education – that addresses

students’ learning, social and emotional needs – is crucial, especially in times of crisis.

School closures related to the current COVID-19 pandemic mean that students from diverse

backgrounds who are more at risk of increased vulnerability are less likely to receive the

support and extra services they need, and the gap between students that experience additional

barriers and that do not might widen. Closures can also have considerable effects on students’

sense of belonging to schools and their feelings of self-worth – these are key for inclusion in

education.
 According to Gonzales and Kapasia (2020), the education system has faced an

unprecedented health crisis (i.e., COVID-19 pandemic) that has shaken up its foundation.

Thus, various governments across the globe have launched a crisis response to mitigate the

adverse impact of the pandemic on education. This response includes, but is not limited to,

curriculum revisions, provision for technological resources and infrastructure, shifts in the

academic calendar, and policies on instructional delivery and assessment. Inevitably, these

developments compelled educational institutions to migrate to full online learning until face-

to-face instruction is allowed. The current circumstance is unique as it could aggravate the

challenges experienced during online learning due to restrictions in movement and health

protocol.

According to Simonson, Smaldino, Albright & Zvacek, (2008). Distance education is

a process of planned teaching learning that occurs in a different place from the normal

learning setting and requires communication and a special corporate organization via

technologies (Moore & Kearsley, 2012).

Davis, Gough and Taylor (2019) stated that student barriers to online learning might

be misinterpretation of expectations, time management and interpersonal communication;

while instructor barriers might be related to the identification of expectations, providing

feedback and the decision to close schools is generally based on the scientific data that during

the influenza virus pandemics lower social association among students is necessary to

interrupt the spread of the virus (Abuhammad, 2020b). The closing of schools can have a

positive impact on mortality 2020; Wenham et al., 2020). However, it can also have a

negative impact by reducing the available healthcare workforce to care for the ill because

they cannot secure childcare to enable them to go to work.

 O’Doherty, Dromey, Lougheed, Hannigan, Last and McGrath (2018) stated in their

research based on the literature that barriers to online learning in medical training might be

time limitations, weak technical skills, inadequate infrastructure, lack of institutional

strategies and support and negative attitudes of everyone involved. Burns (2011) mentioned

three barriers to the web-based distance education implementations in teacher education: lack

of high-speed internet and durable technology, lack of trainer and student skills and lack of

support services.

On March 12th, 2020, the World Health Organization (WHO) declared that the

outbreak of coronavirus disease (COVID-19), which is caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus and

which was first identified in Wuhan, China, had reached the level of a global pandemic

(WHO, 2020). Less than one week later, on March 18 th, 2020, UNESCO reported that an

estimated 107 nations had closed all schools due to the pandemic (United Nations

Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, 2020). These school closures have affected

approximately 862 million school students, which represents almost half of the school-age

population worldwide (Jackson et al., 2016; Abuhammad et al., 2020).

The decision to close schools is generally based on the scientific data that during

influenza virus pandemics lower social association among students is necessary to interrupt

the spread of the virus (Abuhammad, 2020b) The closing of schools can have a positive

impact on mortality by reducing the transmission and incidence of a disease (Abuhammad,

2020a; Anderson et al., 2020; Wenham et al., 2020). However, it can also have a negative

impact by reducing the available healthcare workforce to care for the ill because they cannot

secure childcare to enable them to go to work.

According to research on school students, the mean value of daily social association

when schools are closed is almost half that of when schools are open. On the other hand,
there is an increase in contact between school students and parents and other adults when

schools are closed (Eames et al., 2010). The evidence on the effectiveness of closing schools

and other measures for social distancing almost entirely comes from research undertaken on

this measure during influenza outbreaks, and it has been shown in such outbreaks that school

students drive virus transmission (Brooks et al., 2020; Hens et al., 2009). It has been shown

that closing schools leads to significant reductions in the peak rate of infection compared to

the rate of cumulative infection, and based on modeling research, such an approach can have

a significant impact on the reproduction of infection rate if the transmission rate of the virus

is low (Nafisah et al., 2018). However, the effectiveness of such an approach is unclear in the

case of coronavirus outbreaks that have occurred for instance, as a result of severe acute

respiratory syndrome (SARS) or Middle East respiratory syndrome (MERS), and more

recently and particularly, COVID-19, which seem to have a different transmission dynamic

(Bayham and Fenichel, 2020; Shen et al., 2020).

According to Hannum et al. (2008), distance learning is a platform that many schools

use to meet the learning needs of students. It has also been determined that distance learning

is an effective approach at the college, university, and high school level parents’ perspective

(Hannum et al., 2008; Irvin et al., 2010). When school students are required to remain at

home, as is the case during the current COVID-19 pandemic, parents not only need good

parenting skills, they also need a good level of education. In addition to monitoring the

temperament and the performance of their children, parents should attempt to satisfy their

children’s educational needs as effectively as possible.

According to Akrofi (2021), this has led to an introduction of Distance, Blended, and

Online Learning (DBOL) as a new system of education which arises as a result of the
increasing number of students who want to further their education to the higher level, we the

researchers claim that this new system of education might not be suitable to all students.

There are opportunities, good, bad and ugly of distance learning according to

Mahlangu (2017). Opportunities to undertake continuing professional development through

distance-learning education remain limited. It can be able to offer a solution via e-learning to

further their education while applying new knowledge and skills (Mahlangu, 2017).

The good is traditionally argues that studying part time while continuing to work can

assist students to apply their learning directly to their professional environment and also

according to Mahlangu (2017) there are seven principles for good practice that can be used in

distance learning and this can be divided into the following namely: encourages student-

faculty contact, encourages cooperation among students, encourages active learning, gives

prompt feedback, emphasizes time on task, communicates high expectations, and respect

diverse talents and ways of learning.

One of the bad and ugly of distance learning is the concern that some students are

being disadvantaged because of various challenges. (Mahlangu, 2017). Hing and learning

process. It is known as blended learning. Blended learning is the combination of traditional

(face-to-face) and online learning so that instruction occurs both in the classroom and online.

Blended learning integrates the advantages of online learning with some advantages of face

to face learning.

Blended learning is the combination of traditional (face-to-face) and online learning,

so the instructions occurs both in classroom and online. It can enhance learning outcomes,

improves students’ motivation and it is effective way for achieving learning objects. Blended

learning integrates the advantages of online learning with some advantages of face to face
learning. Then, it maximizes the efficiency of classroom training and provides better

reinforcement in the web-based elements. Through blended learning, the students had

prepared for the course in the classroom and it can be more efficient because the students

may discuss with their teacher and friends that they could not do during classroom

interaction. (Mahlangu, 2017)

Online learning (OL) transforms education from a teacher-centred (traditional

classroom) to a student-centred one, where students are more accountable for their learning

(Akrofi, 2021).

Theoretical Framework of the Study

Figure 1 shows the conceptual framework of the study and the cause-effect

relationship between the barriers, and struggles of ABM students in the fulfillment of their

requirements and activities and how they adapt and cope up with their studies during

pandemic.

A phenomenological study on
ABM students in Dolores
National High School in
adapting and coping with their
studies in times of pandemic.
 How they cope
Struggles and adapt the
said problem

Navigating Keeping up the Support

online preparation from
classes needed for the family
distance learning
Guidance Instructions
from and
Unstable teachers Guidelines
network
connection

Figure 1. Theoretical Framework

Definition of Terms

The following terms that are defined are used in the conduct of the study:

Barriers

Operational Definition: One of the two factors affecting the study of ABM students of

DNHS in fulfilling their requirements and activities during pandemic.

 Conceptual Definition: defined as a fence or other obstacle that prevents movement or

access.

Struggles

Operational Definition: One of the two factors affecting the study of ABM students of

DNHS in fulfilling their requirements and activities during pandemic.

Conceptual Definition: defined as striving to achieve or attain something in the face

of difficulty or resistance.

Coping

Operational Definition: One of a way on how students handle the factors that affect

them in the fulfillment of their requirements and activities during pandemic.

Conceptual Definition: defined as  to deal with and attempt to overcome problems and

difficulties.

Adapting

Operational Definition: One of a way on how students handle the factors that affect

them in the fulfillment of their requirements and activities during pandemic.

Conceptual Definition: defined as adjustment to new conditions.

Pandemic

Operational Definition: One of the reason why student struggles in their studies.

Conceptual Definition: defined as an epidemic of an infectious disease that has spread

across a large regions.

New Normal
 A current situation, social custom, etc., that is different from what has been experienced

or done before but is expected to become usual or typical. A new normal is a state to which

an economy, society, etc. settles following a crisis, when this differs from the situation that

prevailed prior to the start of the crisis.

Operational Definition: A previously unfamiliar or atypical situation that has become

standard, usual, or expected.

Conceptual Definition: A current situation, social custom, etc., that is different from

what has been experienced or done before but is expected to become usual or

typical: A new normal is a state to which an economy, society, etc. settles

following a crisis, when this differs from the situation that prevailed prior to the

start of the crisis.

Phenomenological study

Phenomenology is an approach to qualitative research that focuses on the commonality

of a lived experience within a particular group. The fundamental goal of the approach is to

arrive at a description of the nature of the particular phenomenon (Creswell, 2013).

Phenomenology helps us to understand the meaning of people's lived experience. A

phenomenological study explores that people experienced and focuses on their experience of

a phenomena.

Operational Definition: A phenomenological study explores what people experienced

and focuses on their experience of a phenomena.

Conceptual Definition: Literally, phenomenology is the study of “phenomena”:

 appearances of things, or things as they appear in our experience, or the ways

we

experience things, thus the meanings things have in our experience.

Phenomenology studies conscious experience as experienced from the

subjective . first person point of view.

CHAPTER III
 METHODOLOGY

This chapter presents the discussion on the research design, sample, research

instrument, data collection procedure, and the plan for the data analysis.

Research Design

The researchers will utilize the qualitative research design. The researchers will use

this type of research design since the study aims to determine how ABM students of Dolores

National High School cope and adapt with the struggles and barriers of their studies by

identifying the difficulties experienced in terms of the three identified variables and relate the

findings with the level of coping mechanism, with consideration of the demographic profile,

and the period at which the participants experienced the struggles and barriers in their

studies..

The Sample

The respondents of the study are ABM Senior High School student of Dolores

National High School. In addition, the said population are the ones who are affected by the

learning system because of the pandemic. The researchers employed the semi structured

survey by selecting 4 sections and 1 students each section from ABM students.

The Instrument

The "Impact Scale Inventory" was designed and standardized by the academics. The

inventory usually has three sections, one for the review time, one for the review location, and

one for the respondents' study techniques. The scoring is flipped for negative items. The

highest possible score is 90. The higher the score, the better their ability to deal. As a
foundation for academic success. For profiling purposes, the questionnaire also asked about

the respondents' basic features and backgrounds.

Procedure

Based on their average grade, the researchers will compile a list of ABM students

who are enrolled during the first semester of the school year 2019-2020. The participants

were requested to answer the questionnaire honestly by the researchers. For data analysis, the

researchers tabulated and tallied the results. The researchers will compare their responses and

the effects of their learning transition on their academic performance.

Data Collection Procedure

Ferrance (2000:11) state that the collection of data is an important step in deciding

what action needs to be taken. Multiple sources of data are used to better understand the

scope of happening in the classroom, or school. This study will be focusing on the struggles

and barriers of ABM students and how they manage it. There will be a treatment to be

conducted among 4 sections in ABM students of Dolores National High School, Dolores

Eastern Samar. They will be given activities that are related to their struggles and barriers and

how they can manage it.

Plan for Data Analysis

Data analysis is defined as a process of cleaning, transforming, and modeling data to

discover useful information. The purpose of data analysis is to extract useful information

from data and taking the decision based upon the data analysis. The analysis that will be

gathered from the pre-test and post-test will be presented in this section. The descriptive

analysis will be applied in this study to describe the main aspects of the data being analyzed.
It is to explain the condition in raising indicator achievement and to describe the success of

the new normal classes in the pandemic of the ABM students.