LEARNING ONLINE AND LEARNING AT HOME: STUDENTS’ PERSPECTIVE ON DISTANCE AND AT HOME LEARNING

Resumen

This qualitative study explored students' perspectives on distance and at-home learning during the COVID-19 pandemic at Isabela State University-Cauayan City Campus in the Philippines. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 students from four colleges chosen through purposive sampling. Thematic analysis of the interview data revealed four major themes: outlook of participants on online learning, preference for online or distant learning, benefits of online learning, and problems in online learning. Participants expressed both positive and equivocal outlooks on their online learning experiences. While they appreciated the opportunity to continue their studies during lockdowns, some felt ambivalence due to challenges encountered, such as poor internet connectivity, power outages, inadequate personal resources, pressure to complete requirements, and limited access to technological tools. Despite these issues, participants agreed that online learning was the best instructional method available during the pandemic. Benefits cited included the ability to study outside of school, reduced expenses, ease of access to learning resources, and improved discipline, responsibility, and time management. However, participants generally preferred face-to-face instruction, finding it more convenient for certain aspects of their courses. The study highlights the need for systematic training initiatives to improve technological skills, the development of structured educational materials and e-learning platforms, and consistent communication between teachers and students to address the challenges of online learning during the pandemic.