Experiences of the private school teachers in online teaching: A phenomenological study

Abstract

The shift to online education due to the COVID-19 pandemic has brought significant and drastic changes in the teaching landscape,  particularly for private school educators. This study delves into the lived experiences of these educators in General Santos City as they  navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by online teaching. The primary objective of this qualitative study is to shed light on  the experiences of private school teachers in General Santos City regarding online teaching. Through phenomenological inquiry, the aim  is to uncover the perceptions, emotions, and effects of transitioning to online instruction. Utilizing a phenomenological approach, six  online educators were purposefully selected as participants. Each participant underwent individual in-depth interviews, which were  recorded and transcribed with their consent. Creswell's data analysis method was employed to analyze the spoken data, allowing for the  extraction of themes and patterns from the participants' narratives. The results revealed two contrasting concepts in the perception of  online teaching among educators, characterized by both challenges and conveniences. Participants expressed a wide range of emotions  during the transition, yet identified numerous advantages that facilitated personal growth and development. Notably, online teaching  was found to enhance educators' skills and foster continuous learning. This study underscores the resilience and adaptability of private  school teachers in General Santos City amidst the challenges posed by online teaching. Despite the difficulties encountered, participants  remained motivated and optimistic about the potential of online platforms as a novel teaching modality. The findings suggest that online  teaching presents an opportunity for educators to expand their pedagogical repertoire, improve their skills, and nurture their emotional  and intellectual well-being. Overall, educators embraced online teaching as a pathway for professional advancement and excellence,  underscoring their commitment to delivering quality education despite the adversities encountered in the digital realm.).