Implementation of Distance Learning at Bestlink College of the Philippines: Challenges Encountered by Tourism Students

Vol.3, No.1C

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the challenges experienced by tourism students in a distance learning setup. Moreover, the findings will be the instrument to propose effective strategies students may apply to cope with the challenges. The related literature and studies served as a guide in the formulation of the questionnaire. After several revisions and a pretest, the research adviser approved the questionnaire for the respondents.

The study utilized a Quantitative descriptive Research Design. The researchers used the survey research and a close-ended survey questionnaire. To get the needed data for the specific questions stated in the problem statement, The researchers came up to fifty (50) third-year students from the Tourism Department at Bestlink College of the Philippines (BCP) Main Campus as the respondents. They will be chosen from the total population through a purposive sampling technique.

After the retrieval of the questionnaire and tabulation of data, the researchers were able to find out the following: 

According to the results from the survey, 98% of the respondents are aged 21 and above, while the remaining 2% are 17 to 20. The results also show that most respondents are female (78%), and the minority is male (22%). 80% of the respondents are non-working students, while 20% are working students.

In the Primary Learning platforms, the results show that platforms like Google Meet, Learning Management System (LMS), and Google Classroom are the top 3 most commonly used for distance learning, while the other remaining are the least commonly used, such as Facebook/Messenger, Zoom conference, and Moodle.

The students determine the challenges they encountered from most to least they experience: (1) interrupted Extracurricular activities and tour exposure; (2) Learning Environment such as external noises; (3) Financial Problems such as school fees settlement; (4) Difficulties in understanding Learning Contents; (5) Sudden Electric Power Interruption; (6) Incapability to own Resources and Gadgets, (7) Slow Internet Connection, (8) Overload Lesson Activities; (9) Poor Peer Communication; (10) Limited Teaching scaffolds;  and  (11) Time Management.

The proposed strategy for students to cope with the challenges of distance learning is to Understand, absorb, and participate in discussions in virtual on-the-job training, ask for clarifications, and listen to the first-hand experiences of subject matter experts. Create checklists of activities that need to be done. Set a schedule for accomplishing tasks daily to avoid confusion and unorganized thoughts. Report Learning Management System (LMS) errors to assigned personnel. Ask the professor when inquiries, questions, and clarifications are allowed during online classes. Rest if experiencing burnout, answer all the pending activities, and resume whenever you gain the energy needed to complete tasks. Join and actively participate in course-related webinars and conferences. Seek help from friends and classmates if struggling to understand certain instructions or lessons, providing a post-paid internet plan for simultaneous internet connection. Eliminate distractions such as the use of social media and turn on priority mode in the device to improve self-discipline. Keep updated in the school announcements for any alternative action plan they will offer students. Ask for financial help for a device upgrade if possible. If possible, advise neighbours to avoid playing loud music during weekdays or the online class schedule.

The researchers developed recommendations for coping with challenges brought by the distance learning setup: (1) The students must spend time doing any tasks that would make them effective individuals. Being productive helps the students accomplish tasks on time, reduce overload activities, boost self-discipline, avoid procrastination, and have more opportunities to focus on self-development and growth. (2) The students must use the learning platforms required by the Bestlink College of the Philippines and the professor to keep pace with the learning process. Proper usage and understanding of learning platforms promote effective discussion and minimize misunderstanding. (3) Interrupted Extracurricular activities and tour exposure are challenges students encounter in distance learning setup. Therefore, students should Join and actively participate in course-related webinars and conferences, Understand, absorb, and participate in a discussion in virtual on-the-job training (OJT), ask for clarifications, and listen to first-hand experiences of subject matter experts.; Keep updated in the school announcements for any alternative action plan they will offer students. (4) The students must participate during a discussion in the virtual on-the-job training (OJT), listen, and ask for clarifications from the subject matter expert. The discussion will help students to attain knowledge and gain skills comparable to in-person on-the-job training (OJT). They must create checklists of activities that need to be done. The checklist will improve self-discipline and avoid procrastination. The student must set a schedule for accomplishing tasks day and day to avoid confusion and unorganized thoughts, especially for students who do not have personal space inside the house and tend to shuffle household chores and school tasks.