Transitions in Tumultuous Times: Teachers’ Experiences with Distance Learning Amidst the COVID-19 Pandemic

This study determined the English teachers’ experiences with Modular Distance Learning at Datu Bitol Mangansakan Memorial Elementary School amidst COVID 19 pandemic. The study focused on the English teachers’ experiences in Modular Distance Learning; the most challenging experiences they encountered; the coping strategies; the advantages of MDL and the suggested solutions to enhance students’ English learning through MDL. The study employed a qualitative research design using a semi-structured interview. The study was conducted at Datu Bitol Mangansakan Memorial Elementary School. The respondents were five (5) English elementary teachers from different grade levels. The experiences of the English teachers in module reproduction are: time consuming, lack of printing materials, delayed uploading of modules and printing machine, failure to follow the scheduled date are difficulty in reaching out the students and submitting answer sheets with no names, student’s incapability in achieving the expected learning outcomes and the lack of progression overtime. The most challenging experience of the English teachers in MDL are time consuming, poor internet connection, incomplete answers in the module and absenteeism of students.  Meanwhile, English teacher cope these challenges through time management, alternative way in disseminating and fixed date for distribution and retrieval. Teacher’s educational growth, parent’s role, contribution in student learning, the student’s values formation and independent learning are the benefits of modular distance learning. Further, the teacher training and seminar-workshops, collaborative effort among teachers, and modification of activities and exercises will fit to improve the learning activities in the module.  It is concluded that teachers serve as innovators who made strategic practices for students to understand the most essential competencies set in the curriculum, motivators show the importance of learning, communicators find ways to connect students and family to monitor the learning progress and maximize available resources for the sake of learning. Furthermore, time management, flexibility, innovating teaching strategies, adapting to the changes brought by the new trend in education, providing alternative plans, being optimistic and patient, and equipping oneself with the necessary skills are all ways on how teachers deal with the challenges in modular distance learning.