Proceedings of The 4th International Conference on Research in Teaching and Education
Year: 2021
DOI:
The Experiences of Junior High School Physical Education Teachers in Transitioning from Face-to-Face to Online Classes During the COVID-19 Pandemic
Jan Michael Vincent F. Hiloma, Kristian Karl N. Valbuena, Teresita Ignacio, PhD
ABSTRACT:
This study explored the experiences of junior high school Physical Education (PE) education teachers in the Philippines when they transitioned from face-to-face to online modality due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Using a qualitative research design, this study identified the strategies they use for face-to-face classes and online classes, the challenges they experienced, and how they coped and overcome these difficulties. The researchers conducted an in-depth interview with PE teachers (n=5) from private schools in Metro Manila and in Baguio City. The interviews were transcribed, coded, and analyzed. Upon analysis of the data, the 4 main themes emerged. Under the themes of face-to-face and of online strategies, 2 sub-themes were identified namely instructional delivery and assessments. For the theme on challenges in online mode of delivery, 4 sub-themes emerged namely a) technological challenges; b) lesson preparation; c) student engagement and participation; and, d) class performance and output submission. For coping strategies, there are 2 sub-themes i.e. being flexible and adaptable, and upskilling and training. Given these findings, the researchers concluded that despite their use of technology, PE teachers still heavily employed traditional pedagogies for their online classes during the pandemic. The challenges they experienced applies to every aspect of their online classes; yet, their coping strategies only accounted for some of these challenges. It is recommended then that teachers explore new technologically-mediated pedagogical approaches and that school administrators and policymakers be more proactive in providing PE teachers with needed technological and pedagogical support.
Keywords: online physical education, Philippines, COVID-19 pandemic, qualitative research On March 11, 2020, the World Health Organization’s Director-General Tedros.