Methods of Coping with the Class Engagement Crisis in the Philippines’ COVID-19 New Normal

In the ‘new normal’ of distance education during the COVID-19 pandemic, there is an urgent need to increase class engagement and help teachers scaffold students’ needs. This article examines the class engagement crisis between teachers and students in the Philippines and seeks to determine coping methods of teachers and students. Research for the article employed two survey questionnaires: one on teaching-learning crises and one on coping methods. The data was then analyzed and tabulated by frequency and percentage distribution. The results revealed that in the class engagement crisis, 90.3 percent of teachers agreed that the majority of teachers must be accommodating rather than imposing because students experienced delays due to intermittent internet connectivity. In terms of the class engagement crisis for students, 68.9 percent of students are still adjusting to the new normal; some are experiencing stress and worry. In terms of class engagement coping methods, 87.1 percent of teachers chose consultation, while 64.4 percent of students chose to seek information. The study concluded that in this new normal environment, teachers need to adjust to the situations of their students, particularly regarding internet connectivity. Consultation with students is necessary to address their concerns, while students need to cope with the challenges encountered through seeking notions related to class engagement. Keywords: Class engagement crisis, Coping methods, New normal, Tuition-free, Teacher, Students