Readiness, Attitude, and Acceptability of Engineering and Technology Students toward Flexible Learning Method
Kissa P. Banawis *
Civil Engineering Department, University of Eastern Philippines, Philippines.
Celeste A. De Asis
Civil Engineering Department, University of Eastern Philippines, Philippines.
Mary Fortune Daisy O. Espiña
Mechanical Engineering Department, University of Eastern Philippines, Philippines.
Mechille M. Fabiala
Electrical Engineering Department, University of Eastern Philippines, Philippines.
Eladio B. Jao Jr.
Agricultural and Biosystems Engineering Department, University of Eastern Philippines, Philippines.
Lonel I. Morado
Electrical Engineering Department, University of Eastern Philippines, Philippines.
Ramil E. Salazar
Engineering Technology Department, University of Eastern Philippines, Philippines.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The COVID-19 pandemic affected every single component of society, including education. This study aims to assess the readiness, attitude, and acceptability of the college of engineering students about flexible learning modalities during the pandemic. It is essential that the institution understands the effect of the pandemic on its primary clientele, the students. This study employed a descriptive-correlational design. Six hundred seventy-one respondents were identified from the six (6) courses of the College of Engineering, University of Eastern Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar, enrolled during the School Year 2020-2021. The researchers identified that students rely on their mobile phones to do their school activities, thus using mobile data to connect to the internet. Students experience a fair internet connection. The majority of the students came from low-income families. This means that students fall short of the readiness that flexible learning requires. Results also revealed that the students favor flexible learning methodology but are neutral in their acceptability towards flexible learning modalities. Using Spearman's Rho correlation, only internet connectivity significantly affects their attitude and acceptability towards flexible learning methods. The result means that students' good internet connectivity status can lead to a positive attitude and acceptance towards flexible learning.
Keywords: Modular, blended, distance learning, flexible modality, COVID-19 pandemic