Behind the Screen: Students’ Situation in the Online Class Setup

interviews conducted by:

Jerry Bombane (Editor-in-Chief); Lara Jane Macalindong (Managing Editor);

Vince David Bataller (Member of the Writers Pool); and Jhutzen Lloren (Photo and Design Staff)

The restrictions brought by the pandemic prompted schools to shift from face-to-face classes to distance learning. In APEC Schools, the chosen mode of delivery is online distance learning and homeschooling (for Grades 7 and 8), through the APEC Agile and Flex learning program. As half of the school year had already passed, let’s put into the spotlight the students’ situations in their online classes behind the screen.

NO. 1 PROBLEM: INTERNET CONNECTIVITY ISSUES

The biggest challenge the students are facing in having online classes is their problems with internet connection. Jahziel Batitis, a Grade 11-ABM student, described her experience as “hard because of unstable internet connection.” This problem also causes some students to absent from their classes. “One time, I cried because there was no notice that our internet service provider will be having maintenance. I was absent that day, fortunately, my adviser is so considerate,” shared John Andrei Granada, a Grade 11-STEM student. Other students are only using mobile data, which is less reliable than what WiFi could offer.

WHEN YOUR HOME AND THE SCHOOL COLLIDE

Another challenge that students have to deal with every day is that their house or their surroundings are not conducive for online classes. Although there are students that are fortunate enough to have a place suitable for it, like the case of Armel Jose Villaruel, a Grade 7 student, who “lives in a subdivision, and the neighbors are few,” attending online classes is a daily struggle for others. Rochan Bryle Morcilla, a Grade 11-ABM student, expressed that she’s “not comfortable with the background noise” because their house is beside a road. John Andrei, aside from his internet connection being not stable, described his surroundings as “kind of distracting” since they have a sari-sari store and a lot of kids love to play there.

Aside from those mentioned above, there are other challenges shared by students. A Grade 12 student, who requested to keep her name hidden, is not in favor of online classes because she feels it’s just stressing her, and she is always under pressure and spacing out. Two other Grade 12 students cited the lack of materials and emergencies to attend as part of the problem. As per Julliane Nicole Flores, a Grade 7 student, at first she felt stress because of the new environment but eventually she was able to adjust. She also seeks assistance from her parents every time she’s experiencing any difficulties. Alexis Corporal, a Grade 11-STEM student said: “I'm fine now and I'm able to adjust to the online class.”

OPTIMISM DESPITE THE CHALLENGES

Despite all these challenges, students are hopeful and are seeing the advantages of online classes. Julliane Nicole said that online class is the best way for students to study at home. A Grade 12 student favored online classes because “during this pandemic, having online classes challenge students to improve resilience and perseverance which is a good thing.” Jahziel pointed out that “in terms of the lessons, it is not that hard because the Learning Facilitators are explaining them clearly. LFs also always entertain our questions and are always approachable.” She also left this quote for her fellow students: “Always make an action for us to turn our dreams into reality.”

In addition, Rochan Bryle asserted that “online class is the best platform we can have in this situation.” She also said that online class is difficult but it could become easier when you’re determined. She also has this “Don't Give Up Until You Succeed" mindset that keeps her motivated.

Ken Arby Perez, a Grade 8 student, believes that “online class is still quite unstable and unfair, but so does life. Life itself has been what online class is. It has made us realized how big of an advantage it is to have these ''privileges" and the disadvantages to be the one on the bottom. But no matter which ends you're in, as long as you have determination, will, and the power to put in hard work despite the situation, you'll eventually get through it and that is somehow one thing that kids nowadays is the lesson that no one yet I think realizes yet. It’s a life lesson that could be applied anywhere and anytime.”

Here is his message to his fellow students:

“If you really still have dreams or personal goals in life, stay on track and do your best to stay focused on what's important. Put your all in each day and don't be afraid of doing mistakes, because each mistake teaches a lesson and that lesson is another weapon to your kit in order to survive in school. After all, we have just begun. The real battle of survival starts in adult life. Take it as if you're just taking 20 years worth of review. For one we can call as the Test of Life.”

APEC SCHOOLS CARES

To ease the burden of the students, APEC Schools implemented changes. Started in the 2nd Quarter, there are no longer Quarterly Assessments. Moreover, assessments are improved to become more collaborative and integrative. There will be only one Performance-Based Assessment (PBA) and two Summative Assessments (SA) per subject per quarter. To engage parents and guardians, the Google Classroom Guardian Feature for parents had been enabled for them to be kept informed of their child’s performance, class activities, upcoming and missing works, announcements, and more. In addition, the Ops Team led by the School Head regularly sends notices to parents if their child has a missing assessment and coordinates with the Teaching Team for the latter to schedule a special assessment if the reason for missing that assessment is valid. On top of all of these, Learning Facilitators remain to be committed in addressing the concerns of the students, and of course, in providing the quality education they deserve.

We are already in the 3rd Quarter and so this school year is about to finish. This school year is indeed very challenging but please keep in mind that all these experiences will help us improve and prepare us to be more ready in facing a new journey in our lives. Remember that you are doing this for your future and all the sacrifices will be paid off. #