Education During COVID-19 Era: Readiness of Students in a Less-Economically Developed Country for E-Learning

The outbreak of Corona Virus Disease-2019 (COVID-19) has forced higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide to adopt electronic learning (e-learning), the delivery of learning through digital resources. As e-learning is growing, HEIs have become more interested in knowing students’ readiness to adapt to the new learning environment, use new technologies, and be involved in self-directed learning. However, HEIs in less-economically developed countries like the Philippines, are challenged in the transition to e-learning due to the financial capabilities of the students and teachers. This study was conducted to determine the readiness of students for e-learning during the COVID-19 era and its association with demographic variables. A quantitative approach based on survey method was used to collect data from 880 students from HEIs in Northern Mindanao, Philippines, through an online questionnaire. Findings revealed that majority of the respondents scored low in the Online Learner Readiness Self-Assessment (OLRS). Respondents who have low readiness scores in OLRS were more likely younger, female, and in the low-income class, rural area, and private HEI. Age, sex, family income class, and living area of the students were associated with low readiness scores in OLRS. This study provides some implications based on the findings.