Teaching Science in The New Normal: Understanding The Experiences of Junior High School Science Teachers

Abstract

The Covid-19 pandemic has taken aback everyone that led to living unexpectedly in an environment called the new normal. One of the sectors seriously affected by this health crisis is education. With no face-to-face classes until a vaccine has been discovered, the Department of Education-Philippines (DepEd) believed that education should continue in school year 2020-2021 through online and other alternative modalities. The teachers in a private sectarian school in Manila began preparing as early as June 2020 leading to the creation of a learning continuity plan. One of the subjects in the junior high school seriously affected in doing online teaching and learning is Science. This study aims to explore and understand the experiences and challenges of the junior high school Science teachers after one term or almost three months of teaching in the new normal. The study found out that Science teachers were prepared and the curriculum was modified. Instructional materials were enhanced and various challenges were met like student discipline, delivery and execution of learning tasks, limited time for the implementation of the competencies, and student participation.

Challenges and Opportunities of Online Assessment Implementation During Covid-19 Pandemic in Indonesia Based on Recent Studies

“…Additionally, the challenge also came from the less motivated and discouraged students (Arrieta et al, 2020;Fauzani et al, 2021;Fitriyah & Jannah, 2021;Kusuma et al, 2021;Nurkamto et al, 2022;Rachmawati et al, 2022;Wibowo & Novitasari, 2021;Yulianto & Mujtahid, 2021;Zboun & Farrah, 2021). Many students feel less motivated in an online class because they are bored of virtual interaction (Zboun & Farrah, 2021).…”

“…Moreover, another challenge found was the internet cost and connection (Arrieta et al, 2020;Kusuma et al, 2021;Nurkamto et al, 2022;Ukhrowiyah et al, 2021;Wibowo & Novitasari, 2021;Widiastuti et al, 2021;Yulianto & Mujtahid, 2021;Zboun & Farrah, 2021). The internet connection problem has still become a hot issue in conducting online learning (Nurkamto et al, 2022;Ukhrowiyah et al, 2021;Yulianto & Mujtahid, 2021).…”

“…In addition, it was also a challenge to determine the Originality of students' work (Arrieta et al, 2020;Dwiyanti & Suwastini, 2021;Saputra et al, 2022;Wibowo & Novitasari, 2021). Since there is no teachers' direct control, students can cheat by submitting tasks made by someone else, including their peers, or they can get it from the internet.…”

Educators' Perspective On The Progressivist Approach In Teaching Science Online

“…Getting the students; full interest and attention is also a major obstacle. A study by Arrieta, Dancel, and Agbisit (2020) acknowledged this idea and stated that the nature of asynchronous online learning contains a limited number of strategies that can be suitable for this method. It was also implied that the teachers' prerogative made every learning session interesting and enjoyable for the students.…”

Teaching Math in The Virtual Classroom: Insights and Perspectives

“…In a study on teaching science online, it was found out that the challenges can be overcome by taking initiatives and doing more creative activities that are doable online. Science teachers also see a silver lining in the new normal by becoming more updated and continuously engaging in the new developments in Science for there are better things to come (Arrieta, Dancel & Agbisit, 2020). The global issues related to modern education in high-tech era insist the teachers improve their skills to be in line with the rapid changes of world's needs.…”