Lived Experiences of Higher Education Institution Students in Online Learning Classes in the New Normal

The challenges brought about by the academic migration to online platform due to COVID-19 pandemic outbreak has long been established. The author of this paper explicitly investigated the attitude of learners towards online classes. This study highlights the issues being encountered by learners enrolled in virtual learning environment along with the importance of having a concrete strategic plan as to how to cope with the current issues being encountered by students to readily adapt to online classes. The results revealed that there were several recurring themes that emerged when asked about their experiences in online classes. Under the key topic (A) effects of online class – (1) difficulty in learning process and (2) affordability and accessibility of time and place. Under the key topic (B) issues and problems experienced in online classes, there were three themes that emerged– (1) issues in internet connectivity, (2) lack of proper resources such as gadgets, and (3) lower productivity rate. In third key topic, (C) the coping mechanisms of students under online learning classes in which there are two themes that emerged – (1) finding alternatives and (2) practice of time management. And in the last key topic, (D) what the participants could recommend improving their learning process under online learning classes. There were two themes that emerged in the focus group discussion – (1) It was concluded in the study that the issues being encountered by students in online classes have an impact not only on their academic performance but also to their psychological well-being.