Chapter I

INTRODUCTION

Background of the Study

Education is the process of facilitating learning, or the acquisition of knowledge,

skill, values, morals, beliefs, and habits. Education is a valuable tool that can change

everyone's life. Filipinos value education because it is the bridge and way to achieve

goals and to succeed in life. Education is the only way for some people to strive in life. In

the year 2019, Coronavirus disease 19 (Covid-19) arose first in China, and as time passed

by, it spreads around the world. The breakout of this global health crisis resulted to the

closures of schools which greatly affected the learning of students. But everyone believes

that education must continue, thus, different countries formulated and implemented the

so-called “new normal education.”

New normal education allows people to learn at their own pace while preparing for

the future using various learning delivery modalities that allowing learners to acquire

knowledge without violating health protocols. While facing the Covid-19 pandemic, it is

timely since it ensures that kids can continue their education from home.

In Europe, school closures due to Covid-19 have brought significant disruption to

education. Pandemic gives rise to learning losses and increases in inequality. To reduce

and reverse the long-term adverse effects, Ukraine and other less-affluent lower-middle-

income countries, which are likely to be even harder hit, need to implement learning

recovery. Forty-five countries in Europe and Central Asia Region closed their schools

wherein teachers and administrators were unprepared for this transition and were forced

to build an emergency remote learning system almost immediately (Robin Donnelly, Harry

A. Patrinos, James Gresham, 2021).

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 Online education in Chinese universities has increased exponentially after the

Covid-19 outbreak. There was an overnight shift of normal classrooms into e-classrooms,

that is, educators have shifted their entire pedagogical approach to tackle new market

conditions and adapt to the changing situations. During this tough time, the concern is not

about whether online teaching–learning methods can provide quality education, it is rather

how academic institutions will be able to adopt online learning in such a massive manner

(Carey, 2020).

Even though online learning is not a novel phenomenon, its sudden transformation

has posed substantial challenges for educational activities globally, and particularly in

resource-scarce environments such as Cambodia, where educational institutions,

teachers, and students are generally not ready for this unexpected disruption to traditional

teaching and learning methods. A recent study by Adedoyin and Soykan (2020) points out

several concrete challenges caused by the abrupt digital transformation of instructional

operations during the period of the Covid-19 pandemic. Key challenges are related to

technological infrastructure and digital competence, socio-economic factors (educational

inequality), assessment and supervision, heavy workload, and compatibility (some

subjects such as sports sciences require physical interactions). (Piseth, 2021)

In the Philippines, the Department of Education (DepEd), Commission on Higher

Education (CHED) and other educational institutions implemented various learning

systems. Private and public schools uses different learning styles like blended learning,

modular learning, and online learning.

It was written in Section 1, Article XIV of the 1987 Constitution for the state to

protect and promote the right of all citizens to quality education at all levels, and to take

appropriate steps to make such education accessible to all, and to do this, the DepEd has

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the Basic Education Learning Continuity Plan (BE-LCP) under DepEd Order No. 012, s.

2020.

The BE-LCP aims to protect the health, safety, and well-being of the learners,

teachers, and personnel amid Covid-19. The BE-LCP, in particular, has been built with a

legislative framework that is sensitive to the "new normal" while also upholding the

constitutional responsibility to ensure that all people have access to high-quality education

at all times. The learning delivery modalities that schools have can adopt are face-to-face,

distance learning, blended learning, and homeschooling.

In application, however, the BE-LCP is confronted with different challenges such

as students’ difficulty in learning independently, or who are not periodically supported by

their parents or guardians, the mass production of the needed teachers and learners’

learning materials, as well as the support of media institutions like TV and radio stations,

and lastly, the department will need substantial and additional financial resources in order

to meet the objectives of the BE-LCP.

With the BE-LCP in place, the students will have limited opportunities for

interaction with their teachers and classmates. Thus, their learning outcomes may be

affected, and there may be negative impact on the students who cannot easily cope up

with the change. This is where support interventions not only by DepEd but also by the

family becomes relevant to mitigate this effect. (Legal News & Analysis - Asia Pacific -

Philippines - Regulatory & Compliance, 2020)

In Nalsian-Tomling Elementary School, one of the schools in the province of

Pangasinan and near in the residence of the researchers, is using learning delivery

modalities like modular learning and online learning. In this light, the researchers decided

to conduct this study to know the perception and strategies of the kindergarten parents of

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the school about the modular distance learning modality, for the researchers to create

information material (pamphlet) concerning the positive effects and advantages of modular

distance learning. This study will help stakeholders embrace the New Normal Education

amid Covid -19 pandemic.

Theoretical Framework

In this part of the study, the researchers distinguished the theories relating to their

study that explained why these theories were necessary as the basis for the research.

According to Urie Bronfenbrenner’s Ecological Theory, in order to understand

human development, one must consider the entire ecological system in which growth

occurs. He further notes that this system is composed of five socially organized

subsystems that help support and guide human growth. They range from microsystem,

which refers to the relationship between a developing person and the immediate

environment, such as school and family, to the macro system, which refers to institutional

patterns of culture, such as the economy, customs, and bodies of knowledge. Parents,

teachers and school should be working hand in hand in preparing children spiritually,

socially, emotionally, physically and intellectually (Soyer, 2019).

Parents and students, who represent the majority of the world’s population, have

faced enormous challenges in keeping connected to education systems. It is a testament

to the courage and determination of these parents that so many have worked to keep their

child learning throughout the pandemic, often hand-in-hand with local teachers. Parents

are a crucial link between children and schools. The importance of a healthy and strong

partnership between parents and teachers is well-recognized and help the students in

their mental health. Parents are the experts on their children. Whereas teachers change

annually, parents accumulate a wealth of knowledge about their children as learners.

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Parents and teachers thus have complementary skill sets and a common purpose is to

help kids learn and be successful in the new normal education.

Vygotsky’s Social Learning Theory emphasizes the importance of a child’s

culture as a part of the learning process. These social interactions teach children how to

think while, at the same time, teaching them about what they should be thinking. Because

parents, peers and other close contacts greatly influence a child’s social and intellectual

development, Vygotsky’s theory emphasizes that children should be evaluated and

assessed in group situations never in isolation. Thorough instructional planning not only

ensures that a lesson will be complete and that it will address different learning styles, but

it allows the teacher to integrate learning theories into lessons. In order to plan using the

Social Learning Theory, lessons need to involve a great deal of interaction between the

student and the teacher as well as the student and his or her peers (McLeod, S. A., 2018).

Parents also pointed out that in addition to teaching their relevant subjects through

online classes and social media platforms, teachers are also focusing on awareness

regarding the pandemic. They teach students about the various preventive measures and

emphasize on why they are important, hence making parents’ job of keeping the children

indoors much easier.

Learning during the Covid-19 pandemic make parents have a lot of time with their

children, they could accompany and guide children when learning. Therefore, parents

must be able to guide children in a continuing, especially during the Covid19 pandemic

where children are required to learn from home. When at school, children receive

guidance from their teacher. When at school, children receive guidance from their

teacher. So, when at home, children should get guidance and involvement from their

parents. There are many literatures that recognizes parental involvement’s critical role in

students’ educational development.

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Conceptual Framework

The Conceptual Framework of this research study has three parts; The Input,

Process, and Output.

The input frame includes the demographic profile of the parents in terms of sex,

age, occupation and educational attainment, perceptions of the kindergarten parents on

modular distance learning modality and the strategies of the kindergarten parents in

coping up with the modular distance learning modality. In process frame deals the

descriptive method using the survey questionnaire to gather data and information.

Conduct checklist questionnaire and an interview. The output frame handle with an

objective to create information material (pamphlet) addressing the positive effects and

advantages of modular distance learning modality. A diagram that best illustrate the

conceptual framework of the study is shown in Figure 1.

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 INPUT PROCESS OUTPUT

1. The demographic
profile of the parents in
terms of:
a. Sex
- The descriptive method
b. Age
using the survey Create information
c. Occupation questionnaire to gather material in the form of
data and information. pamphlet about the
d. Educational positive effects and
Attainment - Conduct checklist advantages of modular
questionnaire and an distance learning
2. Perceptions of the
kindergarten parents on interview. modality.
modular distance
learning modality.
3. The strategies of the
kindergarten parents in
coping up with the
modular distance
learning modality.

Figure 1. Research Paradigm

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Statement of the Problem

This study aimed to determine the kindergarten parent’s perception and strategies

on modular distance learning modality in Nalsian-Tomling Elementary School.

Specifically, it sought to answer the following sub-problems:

1. What is the demographic profile of the parents in terms of:

a. Sex

b. Age

c. Occupation; and

d. Highest Educational Attainment?

2. What are the perceptions of the kindergarten parents regarding modular distance

learning modality?

3. What are the strategies of the kindergarten parents in coping up with the modular

distance learning modality?

Scope and Delimitation

This research study focused on the perception and strategies of kindergarten

parents on modular distance learning modality. The respondents were the kindergarten

parents of Nalsian-Tomling Elementary School. The data collected by the researchers

through questionnaire and interview. It conducted from September to December 2021 in

Nalsian-Tomling Elementary School.

Significance of the Study

The results of this study would be beneficial to the following:

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Pupils: The result of this study will give enlightenment to the pupils regarding modular

distance learning and provide information material that will help them to their performance

in modular distance learning. Pupils can now look forward to better learning since the

teacher will help the parents to improve student learning in times of pandemic.

Teachers: This study will be helpful to the teachers in informing them the issues regarding

the modular distance learning. In line with this, teacher will know the different ways on

how to help the parents cope up with the present situation.

Parents: This study will give awareness to the parents regarding the modular distance

learning. With enough knowledge, parents can think of possible preventive ways, if their

child is prone of poor academic performance because of this new normal education.

School Administrators: The outcome of the study will facilitate to formulate efficient

strategies and approaches to make learning more comprehensive. It helps school

administrators to know the struggles of the parent to the new normal education. This study

recognized new procedures and different actions that would help the students learning.

DepEd: The result of this research may be use as basis of the higher officials to strengthen

their support in all aspects in formulating plans or activities that will address some of the

problems encountered by the parents regarding modular distance learning.

Future Researchers: This research will be useful for the researchers who will plan to

make any related study precisely to the perception of the parents regarding modular

distance learning. And future researchers who will conduct the studies will realize that the

new normal education is not easy to the students and to the parents. It will also help future

researchers know what the effects of the pandemic have been on children’s learning and

what strategies parents have devised to overcome it.

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Definition of Terms

The following terms used in this study defined for clearer and better understanding

of the readers.

Blended learning modality – According to Paramount Direct, it is a combination of both

online and offline learning methodologies with the use of technology. Online is when the

student’s study with their teacher and classmates through an application that uses a

webcam while offline is when the teacher provides the students with the lesson, seatwork

or assignment that they can finish at their own pace, within the deadline. All works are

submitted and graded via online.

Information material – According to Reverso Dictionary, Information Material is the

knowledge acquired through experience or study, knowledge of specific and timely events

or situations; news and the act of informing or the condition of being informed.

Kindergarten parents – According to Vocabulary.com, Parent is a father or mother; one

who begets or one who gives birth to or nurtures and raises a child; a relative who plays

the role of guardian.

Modular distance learning modality- Features individualized instruction that allows

learners to use self-learning modules (SLMs) in print or digital format/electronic copy,

whichever is applicable to the learner. Learners under Modular Distance Learning can

also use other resources such as Learner’s Materials, textbooks, activity sheets, study

guides, and other study materials. According to What a life.

Nalsian-Tomling Elementary School - a public elementary school in Malasiqui where

the research will be conducted.

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New normal education – According to Mvorganizing, its flexibility enables individuals to

learn at their own pace as they prepare for their future. It is fit in the time of the COVID-19

pandemic as it ensures that learners will be able to continue their educational journey at

home.

Online learning modality - According to Glossary, it refers to an internet-based learning

environment that can connect students of diverse backgrounds who boast different

perspectives. A higher education institution will use a learning management system, or

LMS, to facilitate online learning, which can take the form of asynchronous learning.

Perception – According to Oxford languages, it is the ability to see, hear, or become

aware of something through the senses.

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