Learners’ Motivation and Modular-Distance Learning Amid the COVID-19 Pandemic: Policy Implications from Narratives and Sentiments Towards Effective Learning Delivery

Abstract

The COVID-19 pandemic caused an abrupt shift in how basic education was delivered. In the Philippines, most of the education sector implemented modular-distance learning, in consideration of the on-the-ground realities of students and their families. This article is an example of action research investigating Philippine students’ motivations to learn and the modular-distance learning setup amid the pandemic. A self-administered questionnaire, with qualitative and quantitative items, was answered by senior high school students in a secondary school in Jordan, Guimaras province, the Philippines. This study analyzed the survey data to understand how the qualities of a module may influence learners’ motivation. At the same time, it attends to how gaps and opportunities in the learning method may help improve learning outcomes. The way the modules were organized, structured, and delivered is found to be highly associated with and relevant to learners’ motivation to undertake the module work. Student narratives affirmed that if the module is judged to be good, it can help them to get through the lessons. The article also provides insights on how government policies can further develop the implementation of this learning setup. Keywords: Learners, Modular-distance learning, Motivation, Narratives, Pandemic.