Constraints and challenges on the use of emerging media among public high school teachers

Abstract

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit the Philippines, the Department of Education implemented distance learning which is primarily module-based to accommodate those that do not have the resources. However, literature has shown that teachers still use emerging media in order to communicate with their students. This study aimed to find out the constraints and challenges experienced when using emerging media during distance learning. It was guided by the social presence theory which centers on the differences in the degree of social presence using telecommunications media and how these differences affect the communication in terms of constraints and challenges. Using quantitative research design and a descriptive survey method, public junior high school teachers were given survey questionnaires to report their experiences on the use of emerging media. The results of this study revealed that emerging media plays a significant role despite distance learning being modulebased. The challenges are caused by the digital divide that led to the lack of budget and technological infrastructure while constraints are more concerned with the intimacy and immediacy depending on where the type of emerging media falls on the social presence scale. Overall, the challenges and constraints encountered by the respondents in using emerging media affects the communication and by extension, the teaching and learning experience in distance learning.