Psych Educ, 2022 Document ID: PEMJ0, doi:10.6084/m9.figshare.19450394.

v1
Research Article

Paano Naman Kami?: Online Learning in the Eyes of Students from Rural Areas of
Davao De Oro
Edlyn Joy Espiritu*
Cristine Hanna Mae Bonotan, Allana Casilac, Shaira Jay Elisan,
Shaina Mae Maay, JustineJay Pilvera, Renz Reielmar Tubog
For affiliations and correspondence, see the last page.

Abstract
This study explores the lived experiences of college students located in rural areas having online
classes. This qualitative phenomenological research involves in-depth interviews with 6 participants
residing in Mabini and New Bataan, Davao de Oro. The researchers examine their experiences in
transitioning to a new normal setting. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and thematically
analyzed. The study explores their feelings or experiences, challenges/problems during the class, and
coping mechanisms. Collective narratives caused the uprising of themes in each research problem.
Two themes emerged as central to their feelings experienced during classes as college students:
Positive impact further specified as flexibility, organization, and wide resources, while the negative
impact further specified are frustrating, strenuous, and uninspiring. On the other hand, two themes
also emerged in the problems encountered by students, which are poor internet connectivity and an
uncontrollable environment. The last themes emerged based on the coping mechanisms of the
students, namely, Time and Role Management, Prioritization, and Consultation. This research
provides insight into the experiences of these somewhat unknown struggles experienced during an
online class. The findings from this study may also provide context and insights for postsecondary
institutions, faculty, student services personnel, and family of students, as well as the students
themselves.
Keywords: College Students, Qualitative Study, Online Education, Rural Areas, Coping Mechanism

Introduction available technical resources to create online learning

material for students of all academic fields (Kaur,
The World Health Organization (WHO) declared 2020).
COVID-19 a global public health emergency of
international concern in January 2020 and a pandemic Covid-19 compelled academic experts to reconsider
in March 2020 (Cucinotta & Vanelli, 2020). As of the traditional way of face-to-face learning. They
January 22, 2022, the total numbers of active cases of started considering distance learning as a feasible
COVID-19 in the country were 280, 619, and 53,406 option to fill the classroom void for three to four
listed deaths (WHO, 2022). In reaction to COVID-19, months. Thus, students can reduce the risk of infection
Philippine authorities closed all educational before conventional activities are resumed (Kaur,
institutions in March 2020. As per the orders given by 2020). Hundreds of institutions provide online courses,
the Federal Government of the Philippines, the but one problem exists - the capacity to successfully
Department of Education (DepEd) and Commission on teach digitally is likely to differ based on the wide
Higher Education (CHED) issued directives to range of learning goals that guide our instructional and
educational institutions to start preparing for distance educational priorities (Liguori & Winkler, 2020).
learning (DL) modes. Directives also include Many factors are making online learning ineffective
rescheduling the ongoing exams and assisting their for most students in the Philippines. Online learning
students online regularly until the COVID19 crisis can be effective in digitally advanced a country which
remains unchanged (Joaquin, Biana, Dacela, 2020). is why in the Philippines, it is ineffective. However, in
the Philippines, a significant deal of learning and
The pandemic caused schools, colleges, and
teaching and administrative activities of academic
universities across the globe to shut down their
institutions are handled manually. Lack of access to
campuses so that students could follow social
fast, affordable, and reliable internet connections
distancing measures (Toquero, 2020). This rapid
hinders online learning, especially for those living in
transformation is linked to various obstacles and
rural and marginalized communities of the Philippines
challenges (Crawford, Butler-Henderson, Rudolph, &
(Wains & Mahmood, 2008).
Glowatz, 2020). But because nobody knows when this
pandemic will disappear entirely, educational Online classes are no more accessible than classes
institutions across the globe decided to use the already offered in the traditional classroom setting and can

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Literature Review
even be more difficult in some cases. Finding ways to Student’s Online Learning
self-motivate and work well independently can be The study of Garrison, Anderson, and Archer (2001)
challenging for students who do not work well without revealed that Institutions of higher education have
supervision. The lack of face-to-face interaction and been experimenting with creative and innovative
hands-on learning can also be challenging to adapt for applications of Internet technology to improve
students who are used to learning in a classroom teaching and learning practices for more than a decade.
setting. Lack of proper interaction with instructors is The belief that internet knowledge and communication
another primary concern associated with online
resources successfully eliminate geographical and
learning. Virtual classes cannot be of interest to
situational learning barriers, provide increased
students who are tactile learners. Conventional
interaction between and among instructors and
classroom socialization is another major missing in
learners, and improve the quality of learning
online learning (Britt, 2006).
experiences is the driving force behind past and
Just after the closure of educational institutions across current explorations.
the country, all licensed higher education institutions Blended learning is a hybrid instructional approach
in the Philippines were told to use e-learning and that incorporates elements of e-Blended learning is the
management systems to conduct online classes (Ali, combination of tools implemented within an e-learning
2020). Only a few higher-ranked universities in the environment or the variety of several active learning
country could start their online classes immediately. In methods (Whitelock & Jelfs, 2003). It includes dealing
College Universities, it has been observed that the with learning in a traditional classroom environment
students, mainly located in rural areas, are having (Rubenstein, 2003; Ward & LaBranche, 2003).
difficulties in this new mode of learning. The situation learning objectives and then deciding the best
and scenario have led the researchers to conduct this implementation methods to achieve those goals. In
study to explore further the challenges the student may some instances, blended learning may enable students
encounter in a massive shift to online learning and to complete online units before meeting to ensure a
establish coping mechanisms that college students are shared understanding of the concepts. This allows for
using. more in-depth application tasks and problem-solving
in-class sessions. Alternatively, e-learning elements
This study will let the researchers understand the
such as chats or discussion board posts during class
participants' experiences covered in this study. This
meetings are used to sustain an ongoing discussion
can also help the educators, especially at the tertiary
among a group of participants about course-related
level, acknowledge the students' struggles and
topics. Other mixed learning approaches may involve a
challenges, extend further support, and provide
interventions, if necessary. Moreover, the information combination of pre-class and post-class e-learning.
that is gathered in this study can be used as a basis for According to Brame (2015), the online dimension
programs and interventions for students in rural areas. received positive reviews from students, who claimed
that e-learning was an excellent way to teach basic
This study aims to determine the different coping knowledge built upon in tutorials. The blended
mechanisms and evaluate the challenges/ problems learning module was used rather than a solely online
experienced by college students in rural areas to online learning module deemed advantageous by students.
learning. Specifically, it sought to answer the This is aligned with what educators already recognize
following questions: about the effects of integrated learning on the ‘flipped
classroom' model.
1. What are the experiences/ feelings faced during
online class? According to a survey conducted by McGraw-Hill
2. What are the challenges/ problems encountered Ryerson, a study by Saundercook and Cooper (2003)
by college students in undergoing Online revealed that 57% agree that web-based technology
Learning? positively affects content, course delivery, and student
3. What are the coping mechanisms used in learning. This number had increased from 22% in
managing stressful events? 1999. The survey respondents also stated that using
Internet technology to increase student engagement
and interest is effective. The results on higher levels of
learning are particularly significant, as they expose
faculty members' belief that "web-based technology
allows the ability to develop critical thinking."

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Moreover, other research has indicated that web-based understudies, instructors, and instructive
learning can improve learning outcomes by improving establishments' challenges in mixed learning (Rasheed,
the quality of learning experiences in terms of creating Kamsin, & Abdullah, 2020).
higher-order thinking skills (Garrison & Anderson as
cited in Kanuka, 2005; Heckman & Annabi, 2005). Online learning, on the other hand, can have
Other significant viewpoints in the literature include drawbacks or limitations. According to participants in
the belief that text-based Internet communication tools a study, E-learning reduces classroom interaction time.
aid in argument forming abilities, improved written A large amount of "real learning" occurs as users
communication skills, greater complex problem- assimilate information, use software, apply knowledge
solving abilities, and increased opportunities for to problem-solving, and communicate with the teacher
analytical deliberation (Hawkes, 2001). The and other students (Laine, 2003).
presumption that asynchronous text-based Internet
communication technology, by its very nature, may Moreover, there is currently no transparent and
promote higher levels of learning underpins these credible body of knowledge showing that the use of
beliefs (i.e., critical and creative thinking skills). For i0nternet technology leads to higher levels of learning,
instance, Lapadat (2002) argues that learners could nor is there much information on what works, why, in
accurately compose their ideas and opinions into a what ways, and under what conditions (Naidu,
written type of communication using asynchronous Cunnington, & Jansen, 2002). Perhaps the only clear
text-based Internet technology. finding is that achieving deep and substantive learning
is difficult in the online classroom (Garrison et al.,
Previous studies have also shown that applying 2001). Even though it has been shown that internet
educational technology theory to the design and technology can lead to higher levels of learning, there
delivery of online learning will help students achieve is still a lot to learn on how to incorporate online
higher levels of learning (Kanuka, Collet, Caswell, learning activities to help students create meaningful
2002). A key finding from prior studies is that online educational experiences (Kanuka & Garrison, 2004).
community conversations/discussions are ineffective at
promoting higher levels of learning on their own. Many other studies have shown that learning in an
online environment necessarily involves a high level
Furthermore, Driscoll and Carliner's (2005) study of self-discipline and motivation (Golladay, Prybutok,
states that online teaching can encourage critical & Huff, 2000; Serwatka, 2003). This seems to be
thinking and deep learning by allowing students to particularly true when online units are performed as
integrate and apply what they have learned separate, self-study units rather than participating as
realistically. Learners are introduced into a learning part of an online group. Users must devote a
environment through online teachings, such as a considerable amount of time to complete online units,
simulation, which increases interaction and provides according to experience.
activities that actively engage learners to interpret,
synthesize, and assess information when building According to the study of Neel (2019), most
knowledge. innovations are without a doubt costly, and all things
considered, can get trying for teachers and students
Blended learning is broadly viewed as a new learning with a low financial plan to stay aware of mixed
method that consolidates the advantages managed by learning. That is because every member needs to have
traditional learning and E-learning. Nonetheless, this worked on innovative gadgets to prepare. Be that as it
new method has raised worries throughout the long may, we are in the computerized age, and generally, all
term. A few studies have featured the general students are utilizing cell phones.
difficulties of the mixed learning method. Yet, there
has been no unmistakable comprehension of the online As new digital technologies evolve and the global
part of diverse learning difficulties. In this manner, a adoption of the internet accelerates, online
deliberate review of writing was led to distinguish the communication and learning have grown steadily
difficulties in online learning from the undergraduates' worldwide (Kumar, Kumar, Palvia, 2017). As we face
and instructors' viewpoints. Self-guideline difficulties a crisis, this pandemic significantly changed
and difficulties in utilizing learning innovation are the collaboration from face-to-face to digital. Academic
key difficulties that understudies face. Educators' co n feren ces, edu cation, and gov ernm en t
challenges are principally on the utilization of administration all had to cope with the new challenges
innovation for instructing. This review features the and issues. Through this, organizations continue
requirement for additional examinations to address communication, connectivity, and assessing the needs

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through social media through online platforms learning must first consider the users- learners' and
(Whittlesey, 2020). Most schools and colleges were institutions’ perspectives. According to research, the
forced to close their facilities before the pandemic was instructor's connection with students substantially
brought under better control. Colleges in the United affects the students' understanding of online learning.
States eventually responded to the problem bought by
the pandemic. Touro College and Stanford University Rural Areas
were the first to declare their intention to transition to
online learning in March 2020, followed by 1,400 According to National Geographic, rural areas are
private and public educational institutions moving to defined as an open swath of land with few houses or
online learning (Marsicano, Felten, Toledo, other structures and few people. The population
Buitendorp, 2020). density in a rural areas is poor. There are fewer
residents in rural areas, and their homes and businesses
According to UNESCO, by the end of April 2020, 186 are situated far apart. Thus, some residents migrate and
countries have implemented nationwide closures, build a business in the Urban Area where it is
affecting about 73.8% of the total enrolled learners developed, which means a high density of human
(COVID-19 Educational disruption and response, structures such as homes, commercial buildings,
2020). In connection with today’s happening, highways, bridges, and railways.
Educational Institutions put an effort to keep academic
activities going continuously. However, learners, In Rural areas, one of the variables used to classify
educators, and institutions question the preparedness human capital and expertise is the educational level of
and effectiveness of online learning. Online learning the local population. In rural areas, they are projected
has been practiced, but there are issues with it. to be poor, resulting in a focus on manual labor
Problems such as delay in responses to queries, feeling (Albrecht as cited in Pizzoli & Gong, 2007).
of isolation, and lack of sense of the community Educational level in the area, despite living in a rural
(Vonderwell,2003); skepticism of their peers’ area, the academic standard in the area is not
supposed expertise (Petrides, 2002); problems in accessible to everyone.
collaborating with the co-learners, and technical
problems (Kanuka & Garrison, 2004); the need for The primary economic source of capital in rural areas
greater discipline, writing skills, and self-motivation, is agriculture. It has been accepted that agriculture,
and the need for online users to make a time especially farming, is the primary source of income in
commitment to learning (Serwatka, 2003), are all rural areas due to the type of property (Agriculture and
considered as barriers of online learnings. Food, 2021). Employment, development, value-added,
and land use by sector are considered to characterize
Learners who encounter online learning have to deal the area's economic profile.
with difficulties. Nevertheless, students find a way to
strengthen and continue their academics despite the CHED on Current Academic Set-Up
challenges. There are factors that learners practice to
cope and continue learning. Self-directed learning was Since the pandemic started, both the CHED and
learners' processes and taking the initiative in their Department of Education (DepEd) have worked, so
learning by formulating and evaluating learning (Lin education continues. Blended, online, and modular
and Hseih, 2001) and motivation for learning (Gagné classes have been adapted.
& Deci, 2005). Students find ways to learn and catch
up on lessons rather than merely on their performance. However, these resolutions are not without limitations
Motivation for learning helps the students able to since there is still a significant rise in the number of
understand a lesson and make it easy. Also, learner out-of-school youth since 2020 (Online Classes in the
control is beneficial (Reeve, 2009). Learners can PH Push Through Amid the Pandemic, 2021). Also, an
control their time to answer their tasks and perform analysis was conducted regarding the innovations of
them at their convenience and even based on the Philippine Higher Education Institutions in response to
availability of their resources (Hung, Chou, Chen, & the current challenge with the mode of learning
Own, 2010). Topics could be viewed and studied, compared to other Asian countries. The results show
online communication self-efficacy, and people's that there are still gaps and challenges in their
belief or confidence in achieving their goals by responses and recommend that policy responses and
learning independently. learning innovations should be grounded on a deeper
understanding of distance education and should be
Any attempts to improve the effectiveness of online sensitive to the call of the times (Joaquin et al., 2020).

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On the other hand, President Duterte approved the Thus, in this study, the researchers tried to unveil the
expansion of the limited face-to-face classes from different experiences of the students with the sudden
medicine and allied courses to different sectors like change of online learning as the new normal in
Marine and Tourism. However, institutions must pass education. Also, reveal their perceptions and
the standards before qualifying for the limited face-to- viewpoints towards their experience, including the
face classes. One consideration to that is the faculties problems students have encountered and their coping
and students being vaccinated. Also, according to mechanisms. They were furthermore aiming to
CHED’s chairman, “Based on the data we gathered on understand the students’ experiences better.
the ground, there is a small percentage of students and
faculty members who were affected by COVID-19. Research Participants
I’m convinced that it is safe to hold face-to-face
classes, and it can be expanded to cover other degree The purposeful sampling technique selected six (6)
programs,” De Vera added. The approval of the participants in this study. The researchers used this
limited face-to-face classes is seen as one of the keys sampling technique to find participants to provide in-
to economic recovery (Expansion of limited face-to- depth knowledge about the studied phenomena. It is
face classes to other degree programs approved by highly subjective, with the qualitative researchers
PRRD - CHED, 2021). generating the qualifying criteria that each participant
must meet to be eligible for the research sample.
In conclusion, even though internet technology has Criteria include college students living in rural areas
been proven to result in higher stages of learning, there currently enrolled in the online class. The participants
is still much to learn about how to use online settings of the study are residing in Mabini and New Bataan,
in learning tasks to assist students. Moreover, the Davao de Oro.
Philippines is yet to adapt to this setup. Many students
are still trying to overcome the challenges and The interview was held on an online platform via
limitations in resources to continue their education. Google Meet to ensure the safety of participants and
Remarkably, educational challenges in the rural areas abide by protocol due to current circumstances.
need extra attention from the authority to help the
younger generations be more competent. Research Instruments

The researchers have found several studies explaining The research instrument collects, measures, and
and concerning the impact and effects of blended analyzes data related to the research interest. In this
learning in various means. With this, the researchers study, the researchers used a researcher-made
wanted to investigate the students’ viewpoints, interview guide. The interview guide used in this study
especially those in rural areas, regarding their lived contains only one set of questionnaires engaged for the
experiences in dealing with the sudden shift of online In-depth Interview.
learning.
Discussion and Analysis
Methodology
This phenomenological qualitative study explores the
Research Design lived experiences of college students in rural areas to
the massive shift of online learning. The researchers
This study utilized a phenomenological qualitative were interested in discovering how these students
research design. According to Willig (2008), the described their challenges/ problems encountered with
purpose of phenomenological research is to explain a online education, feelings faced during the class, and
phenomenon's "live experience." As this is a the coping mechanism used during stressful events.
qualitative study of narrative data, data analysis The lived experiences of six students were sources of
approaches must be distinct from traditional or information selected through purposeful sampling
quantitative research methods. Essentially, the from chosen rural areas, specifically from Barangay
researchers concentrate on the essence of the Camanlangan, New Bataan, and Mabini, Davao De
experience, behavior, narrative, and so on. The Oro.
researchers should gather all relevant information
when conducting this through inductive qualitative Six participants were subjected to the conduct an in-
methods such as discussions, interviews, participants, depth interview. All of them are college students who
observations, and perspectives. are residing in rural areas. The informants were given

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assigned names for confidentiality purposes. Negative Impacts: Though some of our participants are
positive about online classes, some participants
Experiences and Feelings Faced During Online Class experienced negative impacts on their learning due to
online classes. Some participants described online
During the in-depth interview, the following questions classes as frustrating, strenuous, and uninspiring.
were asked, allowing the researchers to write an all- According to Hara & Kling (1999), it is common for
inclusive discussion on the questions mentioned students in universities to be frustrated with their
above: What can you say about the lessons delivered courses. Students express frustration with enormous
through online learning? How does it affect your lecture courses, specific topics, or poor instructor
learning? What do you think are the advantages and performance. Many students who participated in
home-learning programs often say that online classes
disadvantages of online learning?
have a heavier workload than traditional classes
(Angdhiri, 2020).
Out of the personal viewpoints of the participants, the
researchers developed two themes (positive and
Encountered Problems and Challenges During Online
negative) from the challenges encountered by the
Learning
college students undergoing online learning in rural
areas. The themes acknowledged and empowered the
In unraveling the problems encountered by college
researchers to generate specific concerns that
students in rural areas through the online class, the
elaborated on college students' experiences or feelings
following questions were asked: What are the usual
in the online class setting.
challenges you encounter during online learning?
The new normal setting of learning has greatly How often do you encounter these challenges? What
shocked students. From learning face to face with their factors affect you from learning adequately through
teachers and classmates to doing the class in front of online learning?
their phones and computers, students have different
experiences and feelings about it since it is not Out from the personal viewpoints of participants, the
convenient for everybody. According to Darby (2020), researchers cultivated three themes— Poor Internet
an online class presents obstacles to student Connectivity, an Uncontrollable Environment, and
engagement and learning by its very nature as a Difficult Pacing. The cited themes enable the
distance learning experience. However, some students researchers to produce specific concerns that detail the
see online learning as advantageous for them. problems encountered by the College Students.
According to Ratcliff (2001), taking online courses
The online learning platform is not an easy task. There
allows easy access to course materials and discussions.
are a lot of obstacles the students and teachers, as well
In addition, Ratcliff (2001) considers online classes for
as the administration, are facing. A recent study had
students who have a part-time or full-time job an
stated that teaching with technology is not a one size
advantage because it allows them to work and move at
fits all approach as it depends on the types of
their own pace.
technology in use at the time and also the curriculum
content being taught. This means that the incorporation
Positive Impact: Some participants mentioned the
of technology provides additional factors for
positive impacts of online classes on them and their
consideration in terms of teaching pedagogy and the
way of learning. Positive impacts can be seen in
construction of learning experiences (Orlando &
students' flexible time, being organized with the
Attard, 2015).
lessons, and have vast resources. According to Gautam
(2020), positive impacts of the “new normal” mode of Poor Internet Connectivity: The participants' responses
learning include efficiency since it offers teachers a all shared the same obstacle: the slow internet
different way of teaching using tools such as pdfs, connectivity, which disables them from learning
videos, and other online sources of education. properly in an online learning platform. According to
Teachers also became efficient educators by going the Matte (2020), there is a concern that students face
extra mile with lesson plans beyond traditional living in rural and remote areas: the lack of high-speed
textbook styles, including online resources. internet needed to attend lectures and classes.
Accessibility of time and place, affordability, According to speedtest.net, the average internet speed
improved student attendance, and variety of learning in Canada is 62 megabits per second (Mbps), although
styles are some of the positive impacts of online this varies greatly between urban and rural areas. The
classes (Gautam, 2020). fastest internet service available in Nunavut, for

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example, is only 15 Mbps. This is unsuitable for working status, or other factors. Anything you intend
browsing, much less learning, and many students are to do or achieve in your life will require time. This is
suffering as a result (Matte, 2020). particularly important for those planning to learn
online. Because you are in charge of your learning and
Uncontrollable Environment: Research participants pace, you must understand how to manage your time
also consider the learning environment a problem they effectively to make time for your online courses and
face. Regarding the new normal setting, learning has the rest of your responsibilities (Torodov, 2017).
transitioned from the traditional classrooms to be the
place for learning into our own homes. This setup was Prioritization: One at a time - this is what they mean
found to be challenging for students to learn smoothly. when our participants said prioritization. According to
Procrastination and distraction will prevent you from one of our participants, they sort tasks according to
getting things done around the house. Watching TV, their due dates. Whatever tasks' due dates are fast
napping, scrolling through social media, or engaging approaching, it is first on the list. It is one way to avoid
in other things like doing chores are all factors that can cramming and frustrations due to many tasks.
hinder your productivity. It diverts you from your aim According to Lohrey (2021), prioritization is a two-
of studying or finishing an assignment (How To Study step process requiring identifying and decision-
At Home (Without Getting Distracted), 2019). making. A successful business activity requires
determining which activities are the most relevant and
Coping Strategies of College Students during Online in what order they must be completed. Prioritization
Learning puts each task in perspective and increases the
likelihood of completing tasks in the correct order and
In the final part of the interview are the sets of on time (Lohrey, 2021).
questions on determining the coping strategies of the
college students regarding the challenges encountered Consultation: Learning is a two-way process that
on online learning. The following questions were includes the student and the teacher. In order for
asked: What do you usually do whenever you students to fully understand topics and lectures, they
encounter challenges in online learning? How do you must be open enough for consultations regarding
manage your time as a student and as a family specific topics and courses. The consultation also
member? What techniques do you do when bombarded allows teachers to be aware of their students'
with activities and tasks? situations. According to Gonzalez the student-teacher
relationship is an essential part of a student’s social
Despite the difficulties faced by the college students, development. Students can identify themselves, adjust
they still managed to manifest coping strategies with to their environment, and develop emotional and social
the themes— Time and role ma n a g emen t, intelligence by cultivating a positive relationship with
Prio ritiza tion, and Co n su ltation . a non-parental authority figure (Neathery, 2019).

According to Boyles, university students choosing to Analysis

undertake study online have indicated a preference for
online assessment and often perceive their learning Through in-depth interviews, six individuals
experiences to be enhanced through online media. For participated in this study by sharing their educational
students to cope in online learning, incorporating experiences and journeys as college students with
flexibility within learning environments allows learning deficiencies. This study examines how their
discussions to evolve when deconstructing content and journey and experiences influence the students'
several ways to explore the subject matter to develop feelings and coping mechanisms when stressed as
while also fostering the sense of community and online learners. This chapter introduces each of the
building relationships (Gillett-Swan, 2017). study participants with a brief demographic overview
and snapshot that provides a window to their lives
Time and Role Management: One of the participants' challenges/ problems encountered along their journey.
coping strategies during online learning was time and Additionally, this chapter presents their stories by
role management. Managing students' time and roles bringing their experiences faced during class and
are essential, especially during this new normal discussing their coping strategies used in stressful
learning setup. This is for students not to be events.
preoccupied with their tasks and other responsibilities
at home. According to Todorov (2017), time is the Three themes emerged from this study every research
most valuable tool you have, regardless of age, gender, problem. The focus of the research and the main

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reasons were to determine how College students participants believed that her mental health was her
located in rural areas experience the challenges in topmost priority. That is why instead of worrying, she
online learning, their feelings during online class, and would rather think of her responsibility to study.
the coping strategies applied to survive.
While other participants always set a time to enjoy
Experiences faced during the online class. As depicted amidst the difficulty in learning through synchronous.
in the description of the themes, participants expressed Leisure time has the advantage of relieving the
both positive and negative impacts on online learning. students despite the pressure of their academic
activities. Nearly all of the participants’ leisure time is
The findings revealed that College students had spent using social media. They tend to distract
positive experiences with the blended learning model. themselves from coping or avoiding stress. Another
Participants claimed that taking an online class gave participant stated that meditating was considered her
them more flexibility in their schedules, allowing them leisure time. She spends time praying to God to
to study more efficiently. Organized, since it is sorted enlighten her with her studies.
out, providing lessons is standardized and easy to
learn. Also, access to an enormous amount of
information is convenient, making online learning Conclusion
appealing.
Rural areas usually have poor connections, while the
On the other hand, participants reported that taking an online class is dependent on the internet connection.
online class is frustrating for them because the lessons Listening to the lessons the passing the quizzes and
are difficult to understand, and they are unable to learn tests always required a good and stable connection.
effectively. Another participant said that the biggest The students cannot participate and attend virtually
impediment to learning is a poor internet connection. without it. Internet networks and signals are very poor
Taking an online class demotivates them because of since the area is located at a high altitude or far from
the poor internet connection and the remote location. the urban areas where most cellular base stations, also
known as signal towers, are. Perhaps the only clear
Challenges/ problems encountered. The participants finding is that deep and substantive learning is
strongly discussed the two prior reasons for their challenging to achieve in the online classroom
inconvenience of engaging in online classes. Students (Garrison, et al, 2001). Due to the slow and poor
in rural areas face various challenges; they said that if connection, the participants cannot understand
they have a meeting, they cannot easily access Google properly and clearly. It is also difficult to ask questions
meet because the internet connection is unreliable or about the lessons discussed, virtual group activities,
network providers perform maintenance without and downloading files.
warning, rendering learning ineffective.
Also, the participants have preferred face-to-face
External Distraction was also a hindrance to their
classes to have a proper environment for learning. We
learning that College students experienced crowded or
can indeed have more focus. Individuals can focus
noisy areas. Some participants stated that social media
more on a place or field that connects to their work or
was also considered a distraction in online learning.
activity. Examples are playing basketball on a
Second are the household chores, where participants
basketball court, doing a workout in the gym, and
experienced being told to do household work during
reading books in the library. Just like learning, a
the online class. The third is the noise interference
student can perform more in school. According to
from their surrounding that distracts their ability to
participants in a study, E-learning reduces classroom
learn. The environmental factors significantly affect
interaction time. Much "real learning" occurs as users
the students’ academic performance because it
assimilate information, use software, apply knowledge
interrupts their learning.
to problem-solving, and communicate with the teacher
and other students (Laine, 2003).
Coping mechanisms. Time management and role,
prioritization, and consultation are the three themes the
It is known and experienced by students that there are
students usually use to survive when they come across
many distractions in doing online classes at home.
stressful events. With the help of the three strategies,
Many factors lose a students’ attention, and noise is
students learn to get through online classes smoothly
one of them. Even the rural areas also have noise
and lessen their worries. The family was also why
pollution. These could be the noise of the animals and
some students chose to motivate themselves and
the people around in their environment. It is a problem
wanted to return their parents' hard work. One of the

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Research Article

for most of the students. The environment of a student influenced by our reactions to the realities of our
who attends an online class must be peaceful and quiet environment (Feist and Feist, 2008).
to understand the discussion, and the teacher can hear
the questions. Boredom is also a factor. A student can In the context of online learning, students will be
focus and participate well if they are inside the school. having less control of the situation (lack of internet
Doing classes at home is challenging. Many connection), but they can somehow control how they
distractions include television, going back to sleep, will react which can bring about productive results as
social media applications, eating, and doing nothing. mentioned in their coping (Time Management and
Many other studies have shown that learning in an Prioritizing). With this, the researchers recommend to
online environment necessarily involves a high level the teachers and school administrators to train students
of self-discipline and motivation (Golladay et al, 2000; not only to study effectively but also to practice
Serwatka, 2003). This seems to be particularly true effective self-management. Conducting a webinar is
when online units are performed as separate, self-study one way to do this, but considering internet problems,
units rather than users participating as part of an online an alternative way must be sought. One way is to
group. Users must devote a considerable amount of integrate this during classes. Teachers were
time to complete online units, according to experience. recommended to conduct activities where students
The online class requires discipline and time were encouraged to pause and reflect. The academic
management. workloads are enough in inflicting pressure, and it
would be helpful that teachers to be the ones to
Moreover, online classes always require devices such encourage the students to take a break and reflect, have
as laptops and cell phones. According to the study of sharing time about how they effectively cope and give
Neel (2019), most innovations are undoubtedly costly, students enough time to talk with each other thereby
and all things considered, they can get trying for somehow remedying feelings of isolation. Having such
teachers and students with a low financial plan to stay will reinforce students’ positive outlook on online
aware of mixed learning. That is because every learning and reduce their negative insights.
member needs to have worked innovation gadgets to
prepare. Be that as it may, we are in the computerized In connection to this, students are not the only ones to
age, and generally, all students are utilizing cell have their self-management training. Teachers must
phones. Both rural and urban areas have a large also be encouraged to have their own. As mentioned,
population of individuals that belong to a low socio- often, the demands of the teachers are the cause of
economic class. But the disadvantage in the rural areas frustrations among learners. Teachers must be trained
is a lack of stores with modern resources such as or taught to be sensitive enough to their students’
devices used in online classes. To have one, they must struggles, but not to the point of leniency. Teachers are
go to the urban areas. encouraged to increase their self-awareness as to how
they might impact students in daily interactions and
what was their crucial role in the advancement of
Recommendation learning. Webinars are more feasible to conduct
among teachers for aiming for increased self-
awareness and self-management.
The researchers have formulated the following
recommendations based on this paper's results and As to increase motivation and reinforce positive
discussion. The researchers recommend reinforcing actions, the school administrators were an
students’ positive insights and coping with online class encouragement to conduct a semestral evaluation of
settings and trying to decrease, if not eliminate, their teachers by their students. This is to increase the
negative insights and experiences. The problems in confidence of the teachers that they were taking part in
terms of internet connection are hard to address the student’s progress and keep them on track of their
especially in a third-world country like the Philippines. student’s preferences for learning and challenges.
Addressing such is a long process and a national Doing such will be giving a rich source of information
concern. And so, the researchers seek to focus on from the students that may direct intervention design
recommendations feasible for the students and teachers and will also be an avenue for students to voice out
to do. The researchers focused on improving self- their concerns.
management and reinforcement among the students in
rural areas who were now facing the reality of online
learning. According to Julan Rotter’s theory of
Cognitive Social Learning, we are not a product of
what the environment restricts us to do, our behavior is

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Research Article

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Cristine Hanna Mae Bonotan

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