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.).