Introduction
The spread of Covid-19 has brought a rapid change in the country not only in its
economic stability but also in the education system. Schools have been promptly
locked for personal engagement, transactions and students curricular activities
following the order of President Rodrigo Roa Duterte, to suspend "face-to face"
classes in adherence to the advisory of Department of Health that Philippines be put
under Enhanced Community Quarantine. With that, the Department of Education
then had to shift and craft realistic learning platform without compromising its
objective to deliver a continuous and quality learning among its students and yet
promoting health awareness.
Modular learning is the most popular type of Distance Learning or Self-learning
modules (SLMs). This learning modality is currently used by all public schools
because according to a survey conducted by the Department of Education (DepEd),
learning through printed and digital modules emerged as the most preferred
distance learning method of students who are enrolled this academic year
(Bernardo, J). This is also in consideration of the learners in rural areas where
internet is not accessible for online learning.
However, using modules has its advantages and disadvantages. According to
(Nardo, M.T.B. 2017), the use of modules advocates self-directed learning. Using
modules for learning leads to better self-study or learning skills among students.
The concepts presented in the modules engross students in learning. The tasks
provided develop a sense of responsibility among students and they progressed on
their own. They learn to learn; they are empowered. In addition, the students
participate in real experiences. They discover new things, and they expressed their
knowledge on their own. Students learn to reflect on their own experiences, thus
developing new skills, learning through modular direct students to be charge of
their own learning.
Nonetheless, there are also some studies stated it's disadvantage . According to
Bijeesh (2017), without the presence of the faculty and their classmates who remind
them of their assignments the chances of getting distracted and losing track of
deadlines are high. In addition, in the study of Dangle, and Sumaoang (2020) they
revealed the main challenges that emerged in the implementation of modular
distance learning where budget is not enough in the making and delivery of
modules; students had a hard time answering their tasks on their modules and the
lack of knowledge of parents academically to guide their child children.
The researcher believed that there is an effect of self-learning module process in
new normal education to students’ academic performance especially in terms of
anxiety, self-esteem, and self-concept. With this, the study sought to determine the
perception of the students regarding to self- learning module to identify the
challenges of the students, examine the effect of self-learning to academic
performance of students in BSED ENGLISH second year , determine the level of
academic performance of students, determine the significant difference on
perceptions when they grouped according to their gender and age, and determine
the relationship of students’ perceptions regarding self-learning module to their
academic performance.
The key purpose of this research is to determine the effect of self-learning module
on academic performance amidst COVID-19. Also, this study aims to ascertain the
methods, interventions or solutions of every educational institutions as well as the
government in aiding students who are having difficulty in this new learning
modality.
