Difficulties in Mathematics Among Freshmen College Students in an Online Modality
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.15003695Keywords:
Mathematics difficulties, online learning modality, freshman college students, learning environment, technological devicesAbstract
This study examined the difficulties faced by freshmen college students in learning Mathematics through an online modality at a private college in a first-class municipality in Central Philippines during the School Year 2022–2023. Using a rigorously validated and reliable instrument, data were gathered from 162 students, primarily older, female, BSA students with a higher average family monthly income. Findings indicated that students experienced a moderate level of difficulty in technological devices and learning environment, while difficulties in teacher competence were at a low level. When analyzed by age, course, sex, and family income, a consistent moderate difficulty was noted in technological devices, while variations were observed in learning environment. Younger students and those from ABELS experienced lower difficulties in this area, while older students and BSA students faced moderate challenges. Males encountered more difficulties in learning environment than females, revealing a significant difference. However, no significant differences were found in technological devices and teacher competence across demographic groups. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions to enhance the learning environment, particularly addressing gender-related difficulties in online Mathematics education.
References
Al-Abdallat, A., & Al-Qudah, M. (2021). Challenges of online learning during the COVID-19 pandemic: The case of Jordanian schools. Journal of Education and Practice, 12(6), 1-12.
Al-Shlowiy, M. (2022). Teachers' Reflection of Students' Engagement in Online Language Learning: Multi-Case Study. International Journal of Educational Methodology, 8(22), 1-12. Retrieved from https://www.ijem.com/teachers-reflection-of-students-engagement-in-online-language-learning-multi-case-study
Al-Smadi, M., & Al-Smadi, R. (2021). Mathematics self-concept and challenges of learners in an online learning environment during COVID-19 pandemic. Smart Learning Environments, 8(22), 1-12.
American Psychological Association. (2018, March 1). Using technology to captivate learners: New research from psychologists. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2018/03/ce-corner.html
American Psychological Association. (2014, December 1). Learning in a digital world. Retrieved from https://www.apa.org/monitor/2014/12/elc-learning
American Educational Research Association, American Psychological Association, & National Council on Measurement in Education. (2014). Standards for educational and psychological testing. Washington, DC: American Educational Research Association.
Anzaldo, M. A. (2021). Teachers' experiences in the implementation of distance education in mathematics during the COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 7(1), 1- 10.
Ardissone, P., Botta, M., & Caviglia, G. (2023). A study on the impact of weather conditions on e-learning in mathematics. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1967(1), 012004.
Azarcon, A.B., Guanzon, R., & Bagundol, M.C. (2023). High School Teachers’ Technological Difficulties: Basis for an Intervention Plan, Busilak: The official Journal of the School of Graduate Studies, STI West Negros University, https://stiwnu-journals.org
Baticulon, R. E., Sy, J. J., Alberto, N. R. I., Baron, M. B. J., Mabulay, R. E. C., & Rizada, L. G. T. (2021). Barriers to online learning in the time of COVID-19: A national survey of medical students in the Philippines. Medical Science Educator, 31(4), 1641-1649. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40670-021-01344-3
Biggs, J., & Tang, C. (2011). Teaching for Quality Learning at University: What the Student Does. McGraw-Hill Education.
Bluman, A. G. (2012). Elementary statistics: A step by step approach (9th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Bringula, R., Dizon, J. J. M., & Mendoza, J. A. (2021). Mathematics self-concept and challenges of learners in an online learning environment during COVID-19 pandemic. International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning (iJET), 16(13), 4-17.
Bryman, A., & Bell, E. (2019). Business research methods. Oxford University Press.
Casinillo, J. C., Dizon, J. J. M., & Mendoza, J. A. (2022). Mathematics teachers' experiences in remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1967(1), 012002.
Cerkini, M., Kavkler, M., & Kocijancic, S. (2022). The academic impact of online mathematics learning during COVID-19 for junior high school students. International Journal of Mathematical Education in Science and Technology, 53(1), 1-15.
Cochran, W. G. (1977). Sampling Techniques (3rd ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.
Darling-Hammond, L. (2017). Empowered Educators: How High-Performing Systems Shape Teaching Quality Around the World. Jossey-Bass.
Jones, A.C., & Guanzon, R. (2024). Navigating Facework: Interactional Strategies in Facebook Discourse, https://risejournals.org/index.php/imjrise/article/view/183
DeVellis, R. F. (2017). Scale development: Theory and applications. Los Angeles: Sage Publications.
Embretson, S. E., & Reise, S. P. (2013). Item response theory for psychologists. Psychology Press.
Ertmer, P. A., & Ottenbreit-Leftwich, A. T. (2013). Removing Barriers to Teaching with Technology. Pearson.
Fraser, B. J., Tobin, K. G., & McRobbie, C. J. (Eds.). (2012). Second International Handbook of Science Education. Springer.
Gabales, J. R., Gabales, M. C., & Gabales, R. M. (2022). Mathematics performance, e-learning experiences, and demographics among university students via distance education. Journal of Positive Psychology and Wellbeing, 6(1), 1-14.
Gardner, J. N., Jewler, A. J., & Barefoot, B. O. (2012). Your College Experience: Strategies for Success. Cengage Learning.
Gibbons, J. D., & Chakraborti, S. (2011). Nonparametric statistical inference. CRC press.
Gouvernement du Québec. (2021). Reference Framework for Professional Competencies | For Teachers. Retrieved from https://cdn-contenu.quebec.ca/cdn-contenu/adm/min/education/publications-adm/devenir-enseignant/reference_framework_professional_competencies_teacher.pdf
Gowers, T., Barrow-Green, J., & Leader, I. (Eds.). (2020). The Princeton Companion to Mathematics. Princeton University Press.
Gravetter, F. J., & Wallnau, L. B. (2016). Statistics for the behavioral sciences. Cengage Learning.
Guanzon, R., Tan, G., Garcia, M., Maleriado, M.G., Flores, K., & Uy, M. (2024). The Interplay of Digital Literacy and Leadership: Enhancing Organizational Success in a Digital World, https://risejournals.org/index.php/imjrise/article/view/870
Guanzon, R., Kilag, O.K., Longa, G., Roche, M., Bolante, R., Suba, J., & Villarete, E. (2024). Digital Landscape: Key Challenges in Educational Technology Implementation. https://risejournals.org/index.php/imjrise/article/view/742
International Labor Organization (2022). https://www.ilo.org/manila/areasofwork/child- labour/lang--en/index.htm
Jeong, H., Lee, J., & Lee, S. (2018). An e-Learning Model for Teaching Mathematics on an Open Source Learning Platform. Education Resources Information Center (ERIC).
Kim, J. H., & Kim, J. H. (2013). Stratified Sampling Design Based on Data Mining. Healthcare informatics research, 19(3), 167–174. https://doi.org/10.4258/hir.2013.19.3.167
Luhmann, S., & Hawkley, L. (2016). Average family income and its
implications for health in later life. The Journals of Gerontology
McLeskey, J., Rosenberg, M. S., & Westling, D. L. (2021). Inclusion: Effective Practices for All Students. Pearson.
Mendoza, J. A., García, J. A. R., & Hernández, A. G. (2021). Mathematical anxiety in university students in the context of online education. Revista Conrado, 17(80), 1-7.
Nabayra, J. (2022). The role of videos in mathematics education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Physics: Conference Series, 1967(1), 012003.
Nessipbayeva, Olga (2012). The Competencies of a Modern Teacher. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED567059.pdf
Perkins, D. (2007). Theories of difficulty. In N. Entwistle & P. Tomlinson (Eds.), Student learning and university teaching (pp. 31–48). British Psychological Society.
Pluess, M., Assary, E., Lionetti, F., Lester, K. J., Krapohl, E., Aron, E. N., ... & McAdams, T. A. (2017). Environmental sensitivity in children: Development of the Highly Sensitive Child Scale and identification of sensitivity groups. Developmental psychology, 53(5), 796-814.
Ray, S. (2020). Secondary school students' experiences with mathematics remote learning during the COVID-19 school closure in Zambia. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 6(2), 360-369.
Sarkar, A., Chakraborty, S., & Chakraborty, S. (2022). A study on the effectiveness of online learning in mathematics education during the COVID-19 pandemic. Journal of Education and Practice, 13(1), 1-10. https://doi.org/10.7176/JEP/13-1-01
Sbahl, Sara (2018). The Theory of Difficulty Is it really difficult or do we just not understand it? https://www.researchgate.net/publication/348602498_The_Theory_of_Difficulty_Is_it_really_difficult_or_do_we_just_not_understand_it
Seligman, M. E. P., & Csikszentmihalyi, M. (2014). Positive psychology: An introduction. In M. E. P. Seligman, M. Csikszentmihalyi, & J. Gillham (Eds.), Positive psychology: An introduction (pp. 279-298). Springer Netherlands.
Simonson, M. (2019). Distance education. In J. Michael Spector (Ed.), The SAGE Encyclopedia of Educational Technology (2nd ed., Vol. 1, pp. 185-190). SAGE Publications.
Soland, J. (2021). The impact of COVID-19 on student achievement and what it may mean for educators. Brookings. Retrieved from https://www.brookings.edu/articles/the-impact-of-covid-19-on-student-achievement-and-what-it-may-mean-for-educators/
Sweller, J. (1988). Cognitive load during problem solving: Effects on learning. Cognitive Science, 12(2), 257-285. https://doi.org/10.1207/s15516709cog1202_4
Umoh, U. A., Umoren, A. O., & Udo, I. N. (2014). Challenges of blended e-learning tools in mathematics: Students' perspectives. Journal of Education and Practice, 5(6), 1-6.
United Nations Statistics Division. (2017). Demographic Profile: Sex. Retrieved from https://unstats.un.org/unsd/demographic-social/products/dyb/dyb_2017/
Downloads
Published
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2025 Rhemy F. Caguan, Renith S. Guanzon, Maria Christina F. Bagundol, Christy S. De La Cruz, Mary Joy A. Malan, Carl L. Coniendo, Michelle R. Belonio (Author)

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License.