The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
Chapter 1
PROBLEM AND IT’S BACKGROUND
Introduction
Over the past decade, the Internet has had a profound impact on education by
facilitating the phenomenal growth of online learning. In addition, students are accustomed
to fully online courses, blended courses, integrated courses of online and face-to-face
instruction, seem to be growing in similar or even more dramatic way. Add to that the
plethora of emerging digital technologies such as wikis, blogs, podcasts, social software, and
serious gaming technology that are increasingly being incorporated into online courses,
giving meaning to learning.
Internet connectivity has been a problem in the Philippines, even in the absence of
typhoons. Private schools were affected mostly by slow internet connections since many of
their students choose online classes as the medium for learning (Jimenez, 2022). Public
schools, on the other hand, use blended learning, a mix of online and offline methods. Online
technology is used to deliver courses, while other activities are performed offline using print
modules and recorded lessons in storage devices.
Are learners really geared up for the “new normal”? The presence of the COVID-19
pandemic has modified our educational landscape, forcing schools to unexpectedly shift to
online class in line of face-to-face classroom set up. In the Philippines, the COVID-19 crisis
has affected about 27 million learners, 1 million teachers and non-teaching staff, as well as
the families of learners (Obama, 2020). The transition to distance learning is the most viable
option so far, as the world continues to address the effects of this infectious and deadly
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
disease that has destabilized the economy and killed many. The current situation poses major
challenges for educational institutions not only in the Philippines but around the world. Due
to the restrictions and regional quarantine imposed, especially in many parts of the country,
students have little choice but to attend online classes. To enable learners to continue their
education, the Department of Education (DepEd) and other institutions have introduced
online distance learning. In online distance learning, teachers act as facilitators and
encourage learners to actively participate during class using a variety of technologies that are
accessed over the Internet at geographically remote locations. Prior to its implementation, it
was criticized and asked some questions as to whether Department of Education (DepEd) and
other institutions were really prepared for the current situation. Despite all criticism, these
institutions have expressed confidence that online distance learning will work in the
Philippines. According to educators, about 93% of public schools across the country already
have devices used in the academic year in online learning modality, but many students are
late for online and digital education due to internet delays. (Hernando, 2020).
Background of the Study
In early 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic forced many education institutions across the
world to cancel face-to-face teaching, close campus facilities, and displace staff and students
to work and learn from home. For example, the Department of Education (DepEd) estimated
that 93% of public schools in Philippines ‘went online’ at this time, for all or most of their
classes (Montemayor, 2020). Given the persistent nature of the pandemic, and the potential
threat of further waves of the virus, many schools decided to continue to deliver courses
online and use a blended learning approach. Evidence from the United States (US) suggests
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
that the majority of colleges have adopted this approach (Staff, 2020), and similar situation
exists in other countries, like United Kingdom (UK), Australia, and Ireland (Bothwell, 2020;
Davies, 2020; McGuire, 2020). However, the effects of the pandemic have forced students to
endure the problems associated with online education.
One such concern is the potential gap in access to digital learning resources for
students living at home rather than on or near campus in the context of online delivery. This
concern can be due to several factors, including gaps in access to appropriate equipment such
as laptop or desktop personal computers (PCs), appropriate home study/study environments,
or digital literacy skills required for online learning activities (Simeon, 2018). Furthermore,
differences in the quality of broadband connectivity for students living at home, the variation
in connectivity may impact the type of online experience of students from fully engaging
with online-based content. Within this context, this paper considers STEM students of Daniel
P. Rivera - Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences (DPR-PATS) at risk of poor
access to high quality internet connectivity and its impact on academic performance.
As the Philippines enters various lockdowns, with Manila on its third strictest
lockdown this 2021 since pandemic broke out, online classes in the Philippines will continue
(Lagman, 2021). Most students and teachers want to return to face-to-face classes, but so far
there is nothing they can really do, but follow the government's recommendation to continue
online learning. However, most young people, whether online or modular, are unable to
attend school due to lack of materials and offers. Hence, they become out-of-school youths.
Given the important role that student involvement is likely to play in academic
success and student satisfaction, especially for students in an online learning environment
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
(Kahu, 2020), this raises the question of possible differences in the quality or type of delivery
that students may receive in their current situation due to unequal internet access.
Furthermore, using survey data from 78 centres for teaching and learning across 23 countries
in 2020, (Naffi et al., 2020) the researchers have identified bandwidth issues as problems for
students in certain aspects of the learning experience, such as submitting files or synchronous
classes.
In this regard, the objective of this study is to assess the impacts in disparities to
quality internet connection capability and learning devices availability of students for online
learning. The result of the study will provide the school administration a glimpse of the
effects of academic performance of STEM students prior to the quality of internet
connectivity. At the same time, the results serve as the basis for institutionalizing a flexible
learning approach for the future.
Conceptual Framework
According to Scribbr conceptual framework is a written or visual representation of an
expected relationship between variables. In turn, the researchers use this type of framework
because it is more simpler to use and gather information and evidences regarding to the
study. Also, it aids in defining what are the relevant variables for the study and aids in
mapping out the relevancy of the information’s and evidences to each other. In regards to the
process the researchers choose to use Grade 11 and 12 students of Daniel P. Rivera –
Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences (DPR-PATS) to answer the survey
questioner regarding to this study.
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
Figure 1. Conceptual Framework
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
Statement of the Problem
Statement of the Problem
This study aims to assess the impacts of disparities in access to poor internet
connection to the STEM students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology
and Sciences (DPR-PATS). Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:
1. What are the impacts of disparities in to quality internet Connection to the Academic
Performance of STEM Students?
2. What is the most common impact of disparities to quality internet connection?
3. What is the least considered impact of disparities to quality internet connection?
4. What is the common subject majorly affected by internet connection problem?
5. What is the most common internet provider of the STEM Students?
6. Which internet provider has the least quality internet connection?
7. Which internet provider is the best in terms of speed?
8. What are effects of disparities to quality internet connection to the teachers?
9. How can we overcome disparities to quality internet connection?
Null Hypotheses
● Internet connection quality has no effect on academic performance.
● Type of internet provider has no impact on internet quality.
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
● There is no difference in the speed of most common internet providers.
● Disparities to quality internet connection has no effect on teachers.
Significance of the Study
This research will provide new insights to the problems of internet connection and its
impact in the academic performance of the students.
Through this research, the researchers will further explain what kind of internet
provider is the best for online class, the changes of online education experience due to
internet connection problems, effect of internet speed and bandwidth capacity and why
reliability and performance issues can result in students getting distracted or falling behind
Furthermore, the analysis that is presented in this study will convey valuable
information for future research that will explore the effects of poor internet connection to the
academic performance of the students.
Scope and Delimitation of the Study
This study is focused on knowing the impacts of disparities in access to quality
internet connection in the academic performance of the STEM students of Daniel P. Rivera –
Philippine Academy of Technology and Sciences (DPR-PATS) in Plaridel Bulacan. The
study aims to find out how poor internet connection affects the students’ scores and grades
and how much it affects them. The survey shall be conducted with the use of google forms
through their school email for the researchers to get each respondent’s point of view in an
organized manner.
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
This research is limited only to the 25 selected grade 11 and 12 aviation-STEM
students enrolled in Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy of Technology and Sciences
(DPR-PATS) in the 2nd semester of the school year 2021-2022. This study only intends to
measure the effects of disparities of quality internet connection to the academic performance
of students of DPR – PATS not including their performance outside of school. This study also
expects to know the different discrepancies that the students face in having a bad internet
connection.
DEFINITION OF TERMS
Internet - a global computer network providing a variety of information and communication
facilities, consisting of interconnected networks using standardized communication
protocols.
Internet access - the ability of individuals and organizations to connect to the Internet.
Internet Connection - a connection provided by an Internet Service Provider.
STEM - stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics strand.
Disparity - a great difference.
Plethore - a large or excessive amount of (something).
Pandemic - a disease outbreak that spans several countries and affects a large number of
people.
Broadband - refers to high-speed internet access.
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
Internet provider - an organization that provides services for accessing, using, or participating
in the Internet.
Social welfare- known as social apps, include communication and interactive tools often
based on the Internet.
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The Disconnected: Impacts of Disparities in Access to Quality Internet Connection in the Academic Performance of
STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
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STEM Students of Daniel P. Rivera – Philippine Academy in Technology and Sciences
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