Educational Trends in the New Normal:

Blended Learning and the Use of Technology

Ramirez, Aivi Minette T.

Ramirez, Angeline Mariz S.

Ramos, Erica Joyce F.

11-1
BACKGROUND

The COVID-19 virus, which has unprecedentedly taken the world by storm, has posed a

survival challenge for all demographic and ethnic groups. It has effectively upended our lives and

put the world and the way we conduct business on a temporary hiatus. Additionally, the devastating

aftermath the pandemic left in its wake goes beyond tangible issues and into the intangible, such

as our mental health (National Library of Medicine, 2021). However, what took the most toll,

given our context, was education. With the Philippines forced to undergo extreme isolation, we

were strictly prohibited from leaving our homes to ensure safety and diminish the possible spread

of the coronavirus. Hence, as we were confined to our homes, our tried-and-true method of coping

was to use the Internet (Fernandes et al., 2021). This included everything from shopping online

with our phones to connecting with friends and family to develop sociability, entertainment such

as TikTok, and eventually schooling.

Shifting to online learning has been a hard move for the students and teachers, given that

it has created a wide gap between them. Online studying is essentially walking in uncharted

territory given that most students attend schools for onsite learning. As such, it is no surprise that

students found the online learning environment to be stifling and demotivating. Thereby, the

students and teachers must deal with factors that hinder optimal learning and student development.

These are internet connection issues, chances of students falling behind on lessons, distractions

present at home, and many other situations that can disturb the student and the teacher during their

classes.

The intention of this research is to examine the shift in learning modalities from online to

onsite and make inferences based on our observations. This will enable us to comprehend the

differences between what was typical prior to the pandemic and what is now regarded as normal
because of these alterations. Students will gain from this study's inquiry about the complexity of

technology and its applications, and likewise, teachers will be able to evaluate the usefulness—or

lack thereof—of computer-based instruction. Furthermore, the parents will be able to detect the

issues that their children may or are currently facing owing to online learning and what it entails

for future learning habits.

Research has found that blended learning results in improvements in the students' success

and satisfaction as well as their sense of community compared to face-to-face courses (Rovai and

Jordan, 2004). In relation to the concept of socialization, which means that when we interact online,

we learn the necessary skills needed for this certain setup, which has led the expectations, learning

preferences, and interests of the students to constantly change based on how teaching and learning

are done and blended learning has developed where students and teachers can communicate using

a variety of technology tools (Banger, 2022). For instance, Assumption Antipolo uses a learning

modality called "BlendFlex.” This teaching style incorporates said teaching methods to effectively

use the advantages of both worlds (i.e., online, and onsite instruction). The majority of schools in

the Philippines adopted this teaching strategy because it cost parents less money while providing

adolescents an opportunity to unwind from class-related activities (Hernando-Malipot, 2022).

Furthermore, this has encouraged students to study independently, fostering the development of

excellent study habits that will be key to an individual's sense of duty and self-management

(Hernando-Malipot, 2022).
METHODOLOGY

Key Informants

The key informants in this study are two female teachers who teach grades 9 and 10 in a

public school. Both interviewees were able to answer the questionnaire to the best of their

knowledge. From their responses, we were able to deduce that both teachers have identical views

on the matter of whether teaching students should be extensively in-school or virtual. The two

agreed unequivocally that in-person education is superior to online education. Primarily, it is due

to the fact that students are not nearly learning as much as they did prior to the online setup. The

two teachers have mentioned that, despite implementing games in their teaching methods, low

scores are still prevalent amongst their students. The second is that the learning gap widened

considerably during two years of distance learning, therefore posing a challenge for students to re-

adjust themselves to in-school learning habits. Lastly, it is also due to resources, considering that

they teach at a public school, on the student’s end, which hampers optimized learning.

Instrument

The researchers aim to analyze the data by knowing the experiences of the teacher during

the online set-up and the performance of the students through the skills gained and lost throughout

the past three years. The researchers will also make use of the insights of the teacher on whether

online education should be continued, how this set-up can improve their teaching skills, and how

online educational games can be helpful to the students' education. The interview will be conducted

through the use of Gmail; the questions will be sent to the respondents, and they are expected to

reply to the email with their answers. Through the questions, the respondents will be able to freely

share their insights and experiences on the topic based on their ways of teaching over the past two
years. The questions used for this interview are shown in the appendices. The information collected

will benefit the researchers, as it can broaden their perspective on the topic and be useful for the

study itself.
CASE EVALUATION

Data Analysis

The data collected from the interviews was categorized into subtitles for the researchers to

better explain the responses in simpler and shorter terms. The responses that were similar to each

other were combined into one category but will still be explained in further detail. The responses

were also related to the different theories and lenses discussed, namely the social control theory,

enculturation, and xenophobia.

The use of digital tools and platform for teaching and learning

The respondents have stated that they use various digital tools and platforms to teach and

reach out to their students since it is their responsibility to also connect with them while teaching.

As teachers, it was not easy for them to adjust right away. It was challenging, and a not-so-smooth

experience for the reason that not all students are able to attend online classes and do not have full

access to the internet or, primarily, technology. Although it was not a rough experience, the setup

was new to them. The use of technology and the internet in teaching their students online has

helped them think outside of their comfort zone, improve, and enhance their teaching skills. The

utilization of ICT used in teaching online has also helped them upgrade their knowledge about this

and become more independent.

In a positive aspect, the pandemic advanced the adoption of online education, which

transformed the way they work and learn through this setup. The use of various online learning

platforms like MS Teams, Google Classroom, Zoom, LMSs, etc. gave them an opportunity to be

more flexible, inclusive, and accessible to the students. This was also their way of providing quality

education the best they could despite the situation, the pandemic, they were in. Online learning
games were also utilized (quizizz, etc.) to make the students’ learning fun and enjoyable, leaving

a great impact on them academically. Taking into consideration that there are also downsides to

this, most of the students enjoy answering the lessons using technology until it comes to the point

that their scores are too low, and most of them use any online platform (Brainly, PhotoMath, and

the like) to search for the answers to the questions given by the teacher until they get used to this,

thus putting less effort into answering these questions and being unable to fully grasp their lesson

or lessons.

Respondent B also mentioned that “everything that happens in the two-year new normal

setup helps me to think outside the box. Teaching should not only take place in the four corners of

the classroom, and discussion should not be coming only from the book, but the internet might

help us to upgrade our knowledge and see real life applications of what should be learned in

school.” In this case, the internet can also help one widen their knowledge and find ways on how

they can apply what they have learned in real life; furthermore, we realize that not every

information can only be found in printed materials (books, newspapers, journals, etc.) but also

through the use of technology This also enables us to deepen our understanding of something that

we want to learn about because the internet has a wide variety of information that we certainly

have not discovered or found yet, which can be very useful, especially in online education.

Discontinuation of online setup for education

Both respondents agreed to the discontinuation of the online setup for education, mainly

because it has caused many problems for the learning capacities of the students. One of these

problems is access to online tools such as laptops, cellular phones, or stable Wi-Fi. This was

mentioned by our first respondent, who said that not all students have the capacity to pay for their
data or internet in order to have stable access to their classes. This can then affect the student’s

performance academically and cause learning gaps that would be challenging for both the teacher

and the student.

As mentioned, the second respondent agreed to the discontinuation of the online setup for

education mainly because it affects the learning of the students. Students have become reliant on

online platforms (Brainly, Photomath, etc.) to search for the answers to the questions given by the

teachers, which does not help in making the students learn the lessons independently. Similar to

the first respondent, issues like these cause learning gaps, which can make the students have a

difficult time understanding their future lessons. The second respondent also suggested that this

be addressed by developing a learning recovery program that can fit the needs of the student to

catch up on the past lessons and further understand the lessons to come.

Enhanced teaching skills

The transition from onsite teaching to virtual instruction has enhanced the teaching

capabilities of both teachers. Respondents A and B claim that they were both able to cope with the

modifications imposed by the DepEd organization (Department of Education) for the duration of

teaching amid the lockdown. The utilization of ICT and other tools and mediums found in modern

technology were aptly used to supplement their teaching competencies and encourage involvement

amongst students. On the account of respondent A, virtual teaching has modified her perspective

and the way she conducts her usual teaching methods. Furthermore, she stated, "It is my

responsibility to connect with the kids, reach out to the kids, and teach them the way we should

teach them as well." Additionally, the same is said for respondent B, wherein educating students

online has taught her to think outside of the box. As she put it, "Teaching should not only take
place in the four corners of the classroom, and discussion should not be coming only from the

book, but the internet might help us to upgrade our knowledge and see real-life applications on

what should be learned in school."

We can draw from their statements that technology has aided in their overall growth as

teachers. Their willingness to cooperate and adjust for the sake of maintaining and upholding their

duties as instructors was evident from their similar responses. Over and above that, the teachers

were able to optimize the learning experience of their students, comprehensively aiding in the

transitions made yet again by the DepEd for in-school education.

Social control theory

Shifting from face-to-face to online setup has been a hard move for everyone, especially

for the teachers and students. After conducting the interview with our two respondents,

scrutinizing their status as informal educators affected their behavior, and given that their role is

to educate their students, they must conform to this duty mandated by the school even if it is a

heavy task to teach online, which was a new setup for them. The norm of starting online classes

on time, preparing modules, and most especially connecting with and teaching the students has

been a practice and responsibility for the teachers. Respondent B stated that “the demand to prepare

a lot of tools like PowerPoints is not enough to suffice the needs of the students. As a teacher, I

also need to have other things like videos or video tutorials and other technology, and that is one

thing that changed my perspective as a teacher that one must be prepared for the different online

tools." This can be based on the evidence provided when students turn in their schoolwork

requirements as a product applying what they have learned during online classes, until the given

due date and their presence during synchronous sessions.

presence and participation during online classes, both agreed on the reason that online education

is not accessible for every student, as some do not have full access to the internet and technology.

In line with this, respondent A also indicated that “it primarily affects the learning of the students,

and the issues between the two-year online education / distance learning should be addressed by

identifying the learning gaps”. As a result of everything mentioned previously, it may be concluded

that these are some of the main reasons why students deviate from the norms constructed by the

teachers. To further expound, relating to what respondent A said, students are likely to have less

motivation and focus when studying and doing schoolwork given that they just stay inside their

house; most likely, they have distractions everywhere, thus being unable to do their tasks before

the due date. As a result, they will have to face consequences for this deviant behavior. In addition

to this, teachers are not able to monitor the students’ performance well because they do not see

each other face-to-face, making the student think that it is okay to not submit the schoolwork on

time. The attachment of an individual weakens at this point because there is less interaction,

making this their response to the social norms incorporated online.

It is indeed true that online education has had a big impact on learning habits and how these

influences and changes students’ behavior in response to the standards set online. These changes

were crucial because there was a loss of attachment to the values and norms in the society.

Enculturation

When students and teachers switched to the online setup during the peak of the pandemic,

all were required to learn and get used to the basics of how to use gadgets and the online apps

needed for the online classes, which is where enculturation is applied. Using the situation of the
students of our respondents, not all students from public schools know how to use laptops or to

manage the different apps that come with attending online classes. Though this can eventually be

solved by dedicating a few sessions before online classes start to introduce the new setup to them,

conducting classes online has become a practice for most of us, especially when interactions with

others are very limited. Some have adapted easily to this setup while others are still challenged by

it, but we eventually learned and adapted to the online setup since it is a requirement needed in

order to comply with academics.

Xenophobia

For the majority of our years, we never once considered, much less thought of converting

to, online teaching and learning. Schools are a place for education and socialization, a separate

institution that is a few minutes away from our home. Thus, it was no surprise that the changes

effected by the pandemic would unsettle both learners and teachers. The pandemic has brought on

a slew of economic and social disadvantages. In our context, the disadvantage it brought to us is

adopting online modality for the past two years. This has proven to be a terrifying and unfamiliar

experience for all. The responses and reactions that students have voiced serve as evidence for

this. Several have remarked on how challenging it was for them to acclimate to this new

environment, including how they were feeling worn out from being constantly at home. By

extension, most have stated their distaste for online education. The majority of adolescents are also

frustrated that they are unable to engage directly with their classmates because the virus has

essentially prevented all face-to-face or external communication. As such, this wholly encapsulates

their aversion to the foreign, their skepticism of online learning, and whether it will live up to the

efficacy of learning in school.

on such a large scale, several precautionary measures were taken to ensure smooth sailing, or as

smooth as they could hope for, for the start of the school year. Howbeit, teachers and students alike

encountered roadblocks on the path to effective teaching and learning. As stated by respondent B,

although online learning has proven to be flexible, inclusive, and intriguing, it did, however, show

a dearth of comprehensive learning from the students’ side. As the respondent feared and expected

with this given setup, the students employed online tools to answer questions from the teacher or

during a quiz, such as Brainly, Photo Math, and the like.

The data collected from our respondents shows us the perspective of the teachers based on

their experiences during the online setup, both good and bad. The information provided, from the

summarized results to the actual answers shown in the appendices, portrays how our views can be

similar or the same but may vary with what we experience or with what we see. Many students

believe they did not learn much during their two years of online study, which has led to a learning

gap. This is exactly how teachers assess the situation regarding online learning. The norms we

follow now have altered due to these educational changes. Nowadays, a proper education and

learning experience hinge on devices and the online educational programs we utilize in class.

These newly established norms have made learning easier for those who are used to gadgets

but have equally become a struggle for those who are not used to using laptops and educational

apps. As a result of unequal access to better gadgets to follow the ongoing educational trends,

learning gaps are now evident among students today. This can be resolved by providing gadgets

to those who need them the most and a stable internet connection for them to comply with their

academic needs.

Online classes should also be implemented occasionally every week or fully switched to

in-person classes, especially in public schools, for the teachers to feel that their students are present

and attentively participating in their classes. Educational trends should not be strictly implemented

in every school, especially if most of their students are not able to comply with them. The learning

experience of each student should always be a top priority.

Banger, C. (2022, March 1). The importance of blended learning in K-12 classrooms. D2L.

https://www.d2l.com/blog/importance-blended-learning-k12-classrooms/

Fernandes, B., Uzun, B., Aydin, C., Tan-Mansukhani, R., Vallejo, A., Saldaña-Gutierrez, A.,

Nanda Biswas, U., & Essau, C. A. (2021). Internet use during COVID-19 lockdown

among young people in low- and middle-income countries: Role of psychological

wellbeing. Addictive Behaviors Reports, 14, 100379.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.abrep.2021.100379

Hernando-Malipot, M. (2022, October 19). Teachers to DepED: Blended learning should be an

‘option’ in public schools, too. Manila Bulletin. https://mb.com.ph/2022/10/19/teachers-

to-deped-blended-learning-should-be-an-option-in-public-schools-too/

National Library of Medicine. (2021, May 3). Typhoons during the COVID-19 pandemic in the

Philippines: Impact of a double crises on mental health. PubMed Central (PMC).

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8220016/

Rovai, A. P., & Jordan, H. M. (2004). Blended learning and sense of community: A comparative

analysis with traditional and fully online graduate courses. International Review of

Research in Open and Distance Learning, 5(2), 1–13.

Interview questions:

1. How would you sum up your online educational journey from the year 2020 to the

present?

2. What were the major changes you’ve experienced in the online learning setup?

3. Were there changes in the student’s performance academically when these tech trends

like educational games, were incorporated?

4. Should online education be discontinued in a year? Why or why not?

5. Did the online setup help improve your teaching skills compared to before pandemic? If

so, in what way?

6. Do you believe that teaching students should be an implementation of both online and

onsite tools for an optimized learning experience?

Interview Transcription:

1st teacher: UCSP Interview Transcription

2nd teacher: UCSP 2nd Interview

PEER EVALUATION

Name Ramirez, Ai. Ramirez, An. Ramos Total Average

Ramirez, Ai. 4 4 4 12 4

Ramirez, An. 4 4 4 12 4
Ramos 4 4 4 12 4