Perception, Academic Resilience, Challenges and Opportunities in Online Learning of Graduate Students Among Higher Education Institutions in Mimaropa: Basis for Best Practices Framework

Abstract

Online education has emerged as one of the most common modes of delivery for graduate programs in education, driven by factors such as increased accessibility and flexibility. This study assessed the perceptions, academic resilience, challenges, and opportunities in online learning of the graduate students and faculty members among HEIs in MIMAROPA. The results informed a framework of best practices for online graduate programs. The study utilized descriptive-correlational and descriptive-predictive research designs. The respondents of this study were 323 graduate students, and 141 faculty members enrolled during the first semester of A.Y. 2024-2025 who were identified using proportional random sampling. Results reported that students and faculty members in graduate studies have high level of perception relating to self-efficacy, ease of use, and advantages. In addition, the findings reported a high degree of academic resilience among the respondents, in relation to their mindset, social support, and personal control. Furthermore, the respondents experienced moderate challenges in online learning regarding learning resources, learning environment, technological literacy and competence, and flexible scheduling. Generally, results indicated that perceptions, academic resilience, and challenges in online learning were significantly and positively related. Overall, perception emerged as a significant predictor of academic resilience; however, it did not significantly influence the extent of challenges experienced by the respondents. Moreover, mindset, as an indicator of academic resilience, significantly influences the extent of challenges in online mode of learning. Integrating the best practices and opportunities of online learning such as a positive attitude, academic resilience, flexibility, accessibility, continuous feedback, personalized learning, and digital literacy is crucial for successful online graduate programs.