Online Learning in the University: Students’ Encountered Challenges and their Well-being in Pandemic Crisis

Abstract

Background:Now that the world is facing this COVID-19 pandemic, it seems that all have stopped from moving and working, and they are eventually advised to stay home with the hope that there would be an antidote or a vaccine for this virus. This pandemic brought phenomenal challenges and has affected different sectors like the education sector to temporarily close the educational institutionsand immediately implements the online learning for higher educational institutions (HEIs), while modular learning for the department of education (DepEd), that have changed the lives of the community, stakeholders, policy, and practices.

Objectives:The purpose of this study was to explore the students’ encountered challenges and their well-being(physical, mental, social, and emotional health) from their online learning.

Methods:This study used descriptive research design that describes the online learning participated 135 first year college students in Batangas State University JPLPC Malvar, Philippines, during the school year 2020 to 2021. A survey questionnaire throughgoogle form was used to gather necessary data.

Results:The study found out that encountered challenges in online learning have pros and cons on the students' well-being. Despite these virtual classrooms, there are certain advantages for some students: their home can become a safe learning environment where they feel more productive and can provide feelings of safety and reassurance.

Conclusions: To assist students, the university must monitor their health status during this new normal classroom setup. Results imply that the university can meet the goal of flexible online learning, if there would also be a webinar forum on mental health and well-being for online classroom environments. Thus, a proposed action plan can beconsidered.