Coping with the Transition to Remote Learning: The Experiences of Tertiary Level Business Educators in Angeles and in Clark, Pampanga

Abstract

The lived experiences of 25 business educators who transitioned to teaching remotely during the 1st Semester of Academic Year 2020- 2021 in tertiary level academic institutions in Angeles and in Clark, Pampanga were examined in this study. The themes that emerged from the educators' narratives include issues on connectivity and access to compatible devices, sudden transition into remote learning, a one-way stream of learning and maintaining student interest, and the toll on educators' over-all well-being. To cope with these challenges, these professors adopted several methods such as advance recording of lessons, conducting synchronous classes via conferencing platforms, adjusting assessment tools to suit online delivery, and capacitating themselves through webinars and training. Moreover, to feel supported by their institutions, these business educators suggested that Higher Educational Institutions (HEIS) assist them by securing access to stable internet and procuring compatible devices like laptops and tablets, granting access to educational resources online, and showing concern for their overall health and well-being. Remote learning has transformed the usual delivery of education. While it has long been an alternative education modality, the initial experiences of these business educators have reinforced its applicability especially in teaching during the COVID-19 pandemic.