ABSTRACT
This qualitative research method using phenomenological research design aimed to formulate a recommendation for teachers, parents, and learners in the reproduction, distribution, and retrieval of modules for both teachers working from home and those reporting on-site. A researcher-made questionnaire was used to gather data. Thematic analysis was also utilized. Results revealed that teachers’ view in working from home is a high risk to their health, but sometimes it is motivating, productive, with direct control, and with no disruption and favourable to work. The challenges encountered by teachers when they work from home were insufficient printing materials and equipment, laborious and stressful. On the other hand, the opportunities encountered by the teachers were easy to facilitate the modules, they have enough time and outsourcing and multi-tasking, and willingness to help. The challenges encountered by teachers who are reporting on site in the reproduction, distribution, and retrieval of modules were insufficient learning modules, inaccessible signal, and unavailability to submit on time. Opportunities encountered in the reproduction, distribution, and retrieval of self-learning modules were overwhelming.
Keywords: Working at Home, Reporting On-Site
INTRODUCTION
Civil Service Commission identified Alternative Work Arrangements that government agencies such as the Department of Education might adopt individually or in combination set-up during the National Emergency due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These include work from home, skeleton workforce, four-day workweek, staggered working hours, or another alternative to the current community quarantine and the nature of work/job performed by the employees (Deped Order No. 011, series of 2020).
The flexibility allowed by the mobilization of technology disintegrated the traditional work-life boundary from home, which is the key or impediment to academic efficiency, and work balance became a daunting question for employers and employees. The recent pandemic brought into focuses the merits and challenges of working from home on a level of personal experience (Balazs, Aczel et al., 2020).
Specifically, it assesses how the sudden and widespread shift to working from home and on-site during the pandemic impacted how knowledge workers- a particular set of occupations that typically focus their activity on problem-solving and related cognitive tasks (Autor & Dorm, 2013).
However, a self-learning module as an instructional material possesses the qualities that will make the individual an independent learner, self-pacing and progressing at their rate and allowing measures to meet the needs of individual differences. Contributing to the feeling of success no matter how humble it may be until finally, the feeling of self-satisfaction attained by the learner is the essence of the module.
Biogos (2021) confirmed that self-learning modules create an effective learning environment for learners. These contain the answers to all possible queries, confusions, and questions that may come from the kind of learner at the time of learning. Also, self-learning modules have enriched features such as self-explanatory, self-contained, self-directed, self-motivating, and self-evaluating, which help to cater to the needs of all types of learners.
To ensure the safety of both teachers and learners, the Department of Education said its offices have a contextualized mode of delivery of the self-learning modules to be used this school year (Hernando, 2020). Integrating self-learning modules with alternative learning modalities will help the Department of Education ensure that all learners have access to quality primary education, with face-to-face classes still prohibited due to public health.
As a classroom teacher in primary school, the researcher found difficulty in this situation. Minimizing risks, dealing with stress, worrying about finances, and staying COVID-19-free have become her top recurring concerns in this pandemic. Her collective surge capacity has been stretched too thin, and with no end to the pandemic in sight, people can hold out for so long. There is a need to determine the existing problems, issues, and challenges in developing self-learning modules, distributing modules, and even retrieving modules, especially during work-from-home set-up. This study will identify the appropriate solutions for the Schools District of Banate.
The results of this study may further motivate and encourage the researcher to develop a recommendation that rebounds to the impact of challenges and practices in the reproduction, distribution, and retrieval of modules in the respective school.
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