COVID-19 PANDEMIC:
ITS EFFECTS ON THE GENERAL ACADEMIC STRAND
STUDENTS OF BACNOTAN NATIONAL HIGH
SCHOOL
Kevin Rey B. Villanueva
General Academic Strand, Bacnotan National High School
Practical Research 1
Ms. Rhoda V. Fontanilla
CHAPTER I: INTRODUCTION
1.1 Background of the Study
As a result of the ever-expanding influence of technology, the world has experienced
enormous changes in the landscape of education since the 1990s. The adoption of online learning
education across many learning contexts, whether formal or informal, academic or non-
academic, residential or remote, is one such development. We have started to witness schools,
instructors, and students adopting eLearning tools that allow teachers to conduct interactive
instruction, effortlessly exchange resources, and enhance student collaboration and involvement
(Elaish et al., 2019; Garcia et al., 2018). Although the educational community has long
recognized the efficacy of online learning education (Barrot, 2020, 2021; Cavanaugh et al., 2009;
Kebritchi et al., 2017; Tallent-Runnels et al., 2006; Wallace, 2003), evidence of the difficulties in
its implementation continues to accumulate (e.g., Boelens et al., 2017; Rasheed et al., 2020).
In December 2019, the Coronavirus disease was first identified as pneumonia of
unknown origin in Wuhan City, Hubei Province, China (NEJM, 2020). Later, the International
Committee on Virus Taxonomy determines that COVID-19 is caused by a novel coronavirus
known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (ICTV, 2020). COVID-19 is
rapidly spreading worldwide, prompting the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic
on March 12, 2020 (WHO, 2020).
The education system has recently been shaken by an extraordinary health crisis, the
COVID-19 pandemic, which has shattered its foundation. As a result, governments around the
world have initiated a crisis response to offset the pandemic’s adverse impact on education.
Curriculum adjustments, availability of technological resources and infrastructure, shifts in the
academic calendar, and guidelines on instructional delivery and assessment are all examples of
this approach. These advancements pushed educational institutions to transition to complete
distance learning until face-to-face learning instruction was permitted. The current situation is
unusual in that it may increase the difficulties encountered while distance learning due to
movement limits and health measures (Gonzales et al., 2020; Kapasia et al., 2020).
Given the current state of things, it is critical to acquire a more detailed knowledge of
students’ distance learning experiences during the COVID-19 outbreak. Many research has
looked into this issue to date, with an emphasis on students’ mental health (Copeland et al.,
2021; Fawaz et al., 2021), home learning (Suryaman et al., 2020), self-regulation (Carter et al.,
2020), virtual learning environments (Almaiah et al., 2020; Hew et al., 2020; Tang et al., 2020),
and overall learning experience ( Adarkwah, 2021; Day et al., 2021; Khalil et al., 2020; Singh et
al., 2020).
Although existing studies have already drawn attention to the effects of the COVID-19
pandemic on students, we are aware of no community studies that contextualize the effects of the
COVID-19 pandemic on students in the General Academic Strand. Addressing the issue will
reveal the breadth of obstacles that General Academic Strand students face in their way of life,
especially in the context of the pandemic.
Meanwhile, our in-depth knowledge of the ways students employ to overcome obstacles
would provide useful information to school administration, teachers, and parents, allowing them
to better meet students’ learning demands. This knowledge would be useful in reviewing the
strategy category in the new learning setup.
1.2 Framework of the Study
Theoretical Framework
The research is based on the theory of transformative learning (Mezirow, 1997). This
viewpoint holds that learning begins when learners encounter an expected condition or an
uncomfortable posture. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic shook the global education
system, resulting in paradigm shifts and transformations. The extension of one’s conscience as a
result of self-adaptation to changing circumstances is defined as transformative learning.
According to Mezirow, the disorienting problem causes variations that lead to cognitive
disparities and severe changes in education. This theory is appropriate since the current research
investigates students’ experiences of learning amid a dramatic shift in primary, secondary, and
higher education in the Philippines. The transformational learning concept is concerned with an
individual’s reactions to a learning scenario. It claims that when students learn, they generate
meaning, resulting in changes in attitudes, behaviors, and comprehension. During paradigm
shifts, learners are presented with difficult tasks, and they should be encouraged to think
critically and rationally to assess their understanding of the learning process (Hashemi et al.,
2021).
Transformative learning occurs when learners connect with the environment and integrate
with the learning process, according to Mezirow. In developing countries, learners may have
difficulty accessing resources caused of inadequate infrastructure. This limitation is reasonable
and has a significant influence on students’ learning outcomes in primary, secondary, and higher
education. Educators should apply efficient interventions and adapt the learning process to new
norms to improve students’ learning amid cognitive dissonance. This change will provide
learners with a sense of control and self-awareness. As a result, these variations will lead to
innovation in the learning process and change.
1.3 Statement of the Problem
The impacts of the COVID-19 outbreak on students in the General Academic Strand of
Bacnotan National High School are the focus of this research. The research sought to address the
following questions to acquire all the necessary data and information:
1. What are the consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic for General Academic Strand
students?
2. What has been the most challenging aspect of the learning experience throughout the
COVID-19 outbreak?
1.4 Scope and Delimitations
Scope of the Study
The research seeks to determine how the COVID-19 pandemic affects General Academic
Strand students at Bacnotan National High School. An online survey questionnaire will be used
as a source of information. The research shall be conducted with male and female General
Academic Strand students at the ages of 17 years old and above.
Delimitations of the Study
The research will not go into detail on the advanced elements that influence the General
Academic Strand students of Bacnotan National High School with familial and financial
problems. The structure of the way of life, on the other hand, will be covered. It will also show
the relationship between the factors.
1.5 Definition of Terms
For the purpose of clarification, the important terms used in this study have been defined.
The terms below are defined as follows:
Pandemic. Refers to an event that occurs over a large geographic area, such as many countries
or continents, and often affects a large section of the population. It has a larger impact and
affects more lives than an epidemic.
General Academic Strand Students. Refers to students who are unsure of what college course
or degree they want to pursue.
Technology. The technical aspects of a particular field of effort.
eLearning. The letter “e” stands for electronic, and “learning” refers to the act or experience of
learning, therefore it is a learning approach that is based on formalized education yet uses
electronic resources.
Distance Learning. A form of learning in which students do not need to attend school and
instead receive lectures or classes through a correspondence and or online.
Curriculum. Programs provided by an educational institution.
Academic. Associated with students’ achievement.
Questionnaire. A set of questions for gathering valid and reliable information from individuals.
Respondent. Refers to a person who responds to something, especially one who answers a
survey or fills out a questionnaire.
Phenomena. Refers to an observable fact or event.
1.6 Importance of the Study
The purpose of the research is to provide information and knowledge about the chosen issue
from respondents needed for the expected importance to individuals, as follows:
Researchers. The research will be a tool to assist and steer them in identifying credible and
reputable variables that are known as important data for deeper learning on the topic. They
would improve their research skills, strategies, and knowledge.
Teachers. Teachers would analyze students’ needs and compare and contrast teaching methods
prior to and during the pandemic in the educational field.
Students. In this research, students will identify the good and bad effects of the COVID-19
pandemic on their academic achievement and their way of life.
Parents. Parents will be able to determine the value of distant learning education.
Future Researchers. It may serve as a guide for them to acquire information as well as a
foundation for a larger study.
CHAPTER II: METHODOLOGY
2.1 Research Design
The research adopted a descriptive survey method to address the research questions. This
method allowed the researchers to collect complex data about students’ experiences in the
current COVID-19 pandemic situation and to clearly understand the phenomena from their
perspective. A descriptive survey method was chosen as it provides an accurate depiction or
account of the qualities of a specific individual, situation, or group, such as behavior, opinions,
abilities, beliefs, and knowledge (Burns and Grove, 1993:29).
2.2 Population and Locale of the Study
Population of the Study
One of the most important factors in keeping the research successful is the population,
who are General Academic Strand students at Bacnotan National High School. The respondents
were chosen using convenience sampling. This sampling method involves taking each member
of the population around the area in a convenient manner (Edgar and Manz, 2017).
Locale of the Study
Bacnotan National High School is a primarily urban public secondary school managed by
the Department of Education that serves as the mother school for all secondary public schools in
Bacnotan, La Union. The school has Junior High School and Senior High School Departments.
As a result, the research was conducted as it offers the General Academic Strand. It is located in
Barangay Poblacion, Bacnotan, La Union.
2.3 Research Instrument
Materials
Due to movement restrictions and health precautions, the researchers were unable to
personally conduct interviews in the current COVID-19 pandemic situation. Therefore, the
researchers had to use an online survey questionnaire tool named Google Forms. The researchers
chose Google Forms as an instrument to survey since the research was related to the COVID-19
pandemic and it is shareable via a link and easier to use.
Methods
An online survey questionnaire was designed, and a link to an online Google Forms
questionnaire was shared on Facebook and Facebook Messenger. Respondents will be given
informed consent outlining the purpose, risks, benefits, methods, and other ethical considerations
before they are allowed to answer the survey. Moreover, according to the Philippines’ Data
Privacy Act of 2012, all the answers will be used only for research purposes.
2.4 Data Analysis
Reliability and Validity of the Survey Questionnaire
The online survey questionnaire was sent to the Practical Research teacher of Bacnotan
National High School to ensure its validity. The teacher’s suggestions and comments were
incorporated into the survey questionnaire and taken into account for improvement. The
researchers conducted an initial test of the draft questionnaire with students not involved with the
research to ensure that it was understandable for the reliability of each item.
Data Collection
An online survey questionnaire was chosen as a data-gathering instrument. At the
beginning of the questionnaire, the purpose and uses of the data were briefly explained. The
second section of the questionnaire focused on the demographic profile of the students, such as
name, age, gender, and grade level. The third section assessed five Likert scale questions on the
consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic on respondents’ academic performance, social
communication, lifestyle, behavior, health, and hobbies. Finally, the fourth section evaluated the
challenging aspects of the learning experience during the COVID-19 pandemic, which included
four Likert scale questions and a free text response question. The information obtained through a
questionnaire is similar to that obtained through an interview, yet the questions tend to have less
depth (Burns and Grove 1993:368).
The data analysis process began following the completion of the questionnaire from the
Google Forms shared with the respondents. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics,
and the results were displayed as tabular charts. The open-ended and closed-ended questions
were evaluated using a spreadsheet linked to the online Google Forms questionnaire. Data
collection was done within three days of the given date by the Practical Research teacher.
