Name: Baldado, Jay D. Section: Ilang Ilang Date: 06/14/2021
Research Topic: Education
Research Title: COVID-19 Pandemic’s Impact on the Learning Experiences of the Senior High
School Students of Bais City National High School – Senior High School
BACKGROUND OF THE STUDY
The COVID-19 pandemic has spread across the globe, hitting nearly every country and
territory. The outbreak was initially discovered in Wuhan, China, in December 2019. Countries
all throughout the world warned the public to adhere to the safety health protocols.
Handwashing, face masks, physical distancing, and avoiding big gatherings and assemblies
have all been used as public health initiatives. In order to flatten the curve and control the
spread of the disease, lockdown and stay-at-home techniques have been implemented
(Sintema, 2020).
With the challenge brought about by the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19), the education system is one of the agencies extremely affected by the virus. UNESCO
(2020) reported that over 107 nations had closed all schools due to the pandemic that takes
almost 75% of the world’s learner’s population. This corresponds to 1.5 billion students out of
91.3% of total enrolled students in 188 countries (Toquero, 2020). Moreover, after a couple of
months of lockdown, some countries such as Belgium and Japan attempted to open classes by
adopting innovation, implementing safety health protocols, and allowing less people per
classroom to avoid from infection. Traditional educational techniques have been considerably
disrupted by social alienation and limited movement policies. The reopening of schools once the
restrictions have been lifted is another challenge, as many new standard operating procedures
have been implemented (Pokhrel and Chhetri, 2021).
However, in the Philippines, President Duterte assured the public that there shall be no
opening of classes until the arrival of the vaccine and every Filipino is vaccinated. Hence, the
Department of Education (DepEd) Secretary Leonor Briones insisted the ‘blended learning’
approach as an alternative to still pursue the classes utilizing the modern technologies (such as
computers, tablets, and phones), modules and other instructional materials.
The recent study of Fernan and Marilyn (2020) reported that the blended approach is no
longer new to Filipino since many universities around the country already adopted the concept
many years ago. More so, Hannum et al (2008) and Irvin et al (2010) asserted, blended
approach has been used by many schools tailored to meet the learning needs of the students.
This concept has also been determined as an effective method at high school and college level.
Other studies showed that with adequate plans and strategies, as well as technologies (such as
computers and internet connectivity) blended learning has more effective and efficient
contribution to students.
The blended learning approach is used across the country today as it assured that even
in the midst of this global crisis, education must still continue. However, the effectiveness of this
concept of learning isn’t guaranteed as there were possible barriers and challenges that may
affect the learning of the students and hinder their skills development.
While there were many benefits of using blended approach for learning amid the
pandemic, there are also barriers and challenges that affect the learning experiences of the
students. According to Kennedy and Newcombe (2011), the learner’s can find difficulties
learning on their own and may result to lose of appetite on their studies. Hence, Jessica Gilmour
(2020) added, other barriers and challenges also includes the following: inadequate tools
tailored for the learner, lack of practitioner know-how, IT-literacy and resistance.
Thus, it is precisely in this context that the researcher aims to further study the impacts
of blended learning on the student’s learning experiences. This will manifest how will these
challenges or difficulties the students are facing or have encountered affects their learning
experiences.
PERSUASIVE ESSAY
Introduction to World Religion and Beliefs System
Why is there a need to study the world’s religions and belief systems? In today's world,
with the diversity of religious beliefs, we must be more enlightened to sharpen our minds and
widen our outlook towards religious concepts. One of the specialized subjects under the
Academic career track and Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) learning strand,
Introduction to World Religion and Beliefs System, focuses on the extent of knowledge and
context of the Abrahamic religion, its origins, pros and cons, and impacts as well.
Have you ever considered how the world would function in the absence of religion and
beliefs? Unfortunately, there are killings and chaos everywhere. Although there are many
religious beliefs present today, however, they still have one goal: to promote social harmony,
balance, and peace and order. The absence of peace and order, and harmony, transforms the
world into a doomsday scenario. That is why we need religion in our daily lives. It has long been
part of human life, and it benefits us all. Hence, the study of the world’s religions and belief
systems could help us acquire a clearer picture of the significance of religion and how it will
affect our lives on a day-to-day basis.
Religion is vital in society. It unites the people, and creates a balance. It maintains peace
and order. Hence, without it, everything is hectic and chaotic. Therefore, studying the context of
religions is necessary as it will enable us to fill our minds with extensive information about
religion, society and the world.
CONCEPT PAPER
Humanities and Social Sciences
The Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMSS) learning strand is intended for senior students who
enjoy interacting with a large number of people. A student can pursue careers as a journalist, lawyer,
teacher, author, writer, editor, politician, psychologist, cultural anthropologist, social worker, and others
through this strand. Also, this strand is engaged with the exploration of society concerns and
developments, as well as human situations. Students who take this strand will have a deeper
understanding and appreciation for culture, society, politics, the arts, and literature. This will give
students a better grasp of how different components of society interact. This strand also focuses on
developing and strengthening our reading, writing, speaking, and communication abilities.
One of the advantages of taking the HUMSS learning strand is having well-developed reading
and writing abilities. In this strand, we are introduced to the vast land of literature, which helps us to
improve our creative minds. Some of the subjects where reading and writing are most needed are:
Reading and Writing, Creative Writing and Creative Nonfiction, 21st Century Literature from the
Philippines and the World, Oral Communication, Komunikasyon at Pananaliksik sa Wika at Kulturang
Pilipino, Pagbasa at Pagsusuri ng Iba't Ibang Teksto Tungo sa Pananaliksik, Filipino sa Piling Larangan,
and English for Academic and Professional Purposes. These subjects assessed our literacy abilities, and
we were able to improve our mistakes gradually.
Another advantage we can acquire from taking up the HUMSS strand is communication skills,
which are vital to our lives on a day-to-day basis. Also, we need these abilities in order to achieve a
better outcome from our choices and to develop a strong and positive chemistry with others. The
HUMSS strand offers lots of activities that will gauge our interaction, communication, and our speaking
skills. Some of the activities include: roleplays, declamation speeches, reports, thesis defense, etc.
Just like any other strand, HUMSS is not easy-as-ABC. HUMSS still has a lot to offer, aside from
the above-mentioned benefits. In this strand, you will use your playful imagination to create poems and
creative stories. You create many plot twists to get the reader's attention and they will not be bored.
Visualize what others can not see, and have a broad understanding of what is going on in our society.
You need to pass and do a performance task at the same time. Stand in front of many people. There has
also been a never-ending debate, roleplays, and speeches.
SHORT STORY
Bonita, The Boastful Shrimp
Once there was a young shrimp named Bonita, who claims she was the most beautiful shrimp in
the world. She even claimed that she was more than beautiful than the ocean ggoddess. "Behold to the
goddess of beauty! The most beautiful creature on earth!" Bonita uttered, proudly praise herself
in front of the young shrimps her age. "Look at my tail, my arms, my glistening body and eyes,
and my sword!" she added pointing at her sharp-pointed protrusion at the end of her nose. As
far as the young shrimp knows, the sharper the sword a shrimp had, the more they are
considered beautiful.
"Bonita! Bonita, we're going home!" Delia, Bonita's mom, getting her attention as Bonita
immediately maneuver herself towards her mom's whereabout. "Mom! Look at my smooth,
flawless and thick shield and body. Nothing can stab me! I'm so perfect!" Bonita uttered,
bragging her beautiful pinkish body to her mom as they are heading homebound.
"You are indeed the most beautiful shrimp I've ever seen," compliment an old shrimp,
Wana, Bonita's grandmother. "But sweetie, you are just reaching your adulthood stage and you
still have no experience of the real world. I suggest, refrain yourself from displaying too much or
else, one of those humans might grab you," an old shrimp added after pointing her arms to the
young man swimming nearby.
"Grab me? Who? That soft-skinned two-legged ugly creature? You must be kidding me,
grandma!" Bonita replied. "Look! He doesn't even have a shell nor shield to safeguard him from
my well-sharpened sword. Nothing can protect him unlike me, I can slice him into half," the
young boastful Bonita added and laughs wickedly afterwards. "Someday, all other ugly and
pitiful humans will look at me and admire me! Remember that, grandma. Right mom?" Bonita
boastfully uttered as she look at her mom's direction. "My fate is already set on stone ever since
I was born, I will be the most beautiful creature on earth and humans will admire me," she
added.
"Bonita! Stop it! You have no fight against the humans, trust me! We've been through a
lot of things compared to you," Delia uttered with the disappointment marks on her face. "Just
listen to your grandma, it's for your own sake," she added as they continue swimming
homebound.
"We'll see, mom," Bonita replied. "Well, if you won't listen to my advice, you'll have to
learn your lessons the hard way," said an old shrimp.
Bonita, as boastful and hard-headed shrimp as she was, she still pursue doing what she
wanted, she looks for groups of young shrimps her age, showing off before them. She continue
flexing her body this way and that.
But one day, after the show off, Bonita was left alone in the surface of the water, but
then, a boat suddenly passed by, with the fishermen on board looking for a good catch. Just like
what she wanted, she take the opportunity to display herself and let the fishermen see how
beautiful she was. The fishermen then saw her and astonished, in just a snap of a finger, Bonita
found herself caught in the net, along with other shrimps and fishes.
"Whoah, yummy! What a fat and delicious shrimp!" exclaimed the young man sitting
around the dining table. It's dinnertime, and Bonita, unfortunately, was seen on the end of a
barbecue stick the lad was holding. She was indeed beautiful in colors of reddish-brown, as the
lad was admiring her.
"It's the best shrimp I've ever tasted, dad!" the lad compliments after putting the last
portion of Bonita's meat in his mouth as his dad was happy seeing watching his son enjoying
the food.
"At the end of the day, Bonita, the boastful and hard-headed shrimp, got her wish
granted — to be admired by humans.