Exploring the Factors Influencing the Readiness of Faculty and Students on Online Teaching and Learning as an Alternative Delivery Mode for the New Normal

Abstract

The Laguna State Polytechnic University (LSPU) joins the Philippine government with all its actions by launching an initiative to take care of its students and employees, and the academic community amid the spread of the COVID-19 disease. This descriptive-correlational study investigated the factors influencing the readiness in online teaching and learning as an alternative delivery mode to continue the teaching-learning process, even the absence of face-to-face interactions between teachers and students. The content-validated and researchers-made online survey instrument, which reported an excellent reliability index of Cronbach α = 0.95, was administered via a google form. Responses from 348 faculty and 7,205 students at the university were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as frequency count, percent, mean, and standard deviation. Multiple linear regression analysis was employed to determine the significant predictors of respondent readiness. The results revealed that respondent familiarity and capability, preparation, device and access connectivity, self-efficacy, and experience with technology significantly influence their readiness on the conduct of online teaching and learning modality. It is concluded that faculty and student readiness on online teaching and learning is determined by their competence, accessibility of ICT tool, preparedness, confidence in their ability to use technology, and exposure to e-learning materials. Hence, the university and in the broader scope, the Commission on Higher Education (CHEd), may conduct series of training for teachers as a capacity building to equip them with knowledge and competencies on the use of flexible or blended learning. Further, a university-wide learning system may be designed, adopted, and implemented in case the Enhanced Community Quarantine will not be lifted for a longer period.