Predicting factors influencing perceived online learning experience among primary students utilizing structural equation modeling Forest Classifier approach.

Introduction: Amid the COVID-19 pandemic, the temporary closure of educational institutions led to the adoption of remote or online learning delivery. Challenges, especially for grade schools were evident. Objective: This study aimed to identify factors affecting the perceived online discussion experience of Filipino primary students through distance learning in the National Capital Region, Philippines. Method: Variables such as cognitive presence, teaching presence, social presence, and online discussion experience were investigated simultaneously by utilizing the structural equation modeling (SEM) and random forest classifier (RFC) approach. A total of 385 currently enrolled Filipino grade school student participants were surveyed. Results: Results show that cognitive presence has the most significant impact on the perceived online discussion experience, followed by teaching presence, and social presence. This study is the first study that analyzed the online discussion experience among grade school students in online education in the Philippines considering SEM and RFC. It was seen that highly significant factors such as teaching presence, cognitive presence, social presence, triggering events, and exploration will lead to high and very high learning experience with grade school students. Conclusion: The findings of this study would be significant for teachers, educational institutions, and government agencies to improve the online delivery of primary education in the country. In addition, this study presents a reliable model and results which can be extended and applied for academicians, educational institutions, and the education sector to develop ways in enhancing the online delivery of primary education worldwide.

Introduction: Au milieu de la pandémie de COVID-19, la fermeture temporaire des établissements d'enseignement a conduit à l'adoption de la prestation d'apprentissage à distance ou en ligne. Les défis, en particulier pour les écoles primaires, étaient évidents. Objectif: Cette étude visait à identifier les facteurs affectant l'expérience de discussion en ligne perçue des élèves philippins du primaire par le biais de l'apprentissage à distance dans la région de la capitale nationale, aux Philippines. Méthode: Des variables telles que la présence cognitive, la présence dans l'enseignement, la présence sociale et l'expérience de discussion en ligne ont été étudiées simultanément en utilisant l'approche de structural equation modeling (SEM) et de Random Forest classifier (RFC). Un total de 385 élèves philippins actuellement inscrits à l'école primaire ont été interrogés. Résultats: Les résultats montrent que la présence cognitive a l'impact le plus significatif sur l'expérience de discussion en ligne perçue, suivie de la présence pédagogique et de la présence sociale. Cette étude est la première étude qui a analysé l'expérience de discussion en ligne parmi les élèves du primaire dans l'éducation en ligne aux Philippines en tenant compte du SEM et du RFC. Il a été constaté que des facteurs très importants tels que la présence d'enseignement, la présence cognitive, la présence sociale, les événements déclencheurs et l'exploration conduiront à une expérience d'apprentissage élevée et très élevée avec les élèves du primaire. Conclusion: En outre, cette étude présente un modèle et des résultats fiables qui peuvent être étendus et appliqués aux universitaires, aux établissements d'enseignement et au secteur de l'éducation afin de développer des moyens d'améliorer la prestation en ligne de l'enseignement primaire dans le monde entier.

Public utility vehicle service quality and customer satisfaction in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The implementation of lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic has affected most businesses worldwide. The transportation business, specifically in the Philippines, has been heavily affected since only the healthcare and essential workers were allowed to leave their homes during the early stage of the pandemic. This paper aimed to explore the service quality of Public Utility Vehicles (PUV) in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic utilizing the SERVQUAL dimensions. A total of 564 participants answered an online questionnaire using the convenience sampling approach, consisting of 58 questions. Structural equation modelling (SEM) was applied to derive the causal relationships between SERVQUAL dimensions, COVID-19 safety protocol, and customer satisfaction simultaneously. Out of the six dimensions, the SEM indicated that COVID-19 protocols, tangibility, and assurance variables were found to significantly affect PUV service quality and thus, customer satisfaction. This study is one of the first complete studies that analyzed the PUV service quality during the COVID-19 pandemic. The findings could provide the government with an evaluation of the compliance of PUVs to the imposed COVID-19 protocols. Furthermore, the framework of this study could also be applied and extended in evaluating PUV worldwide.

Gym-Goers Preference Analysis of Fitness Centers during the COVID-19 Pandemic: A Conjoint Analysis Approach for Business Sustainability

The COVID-19 pandemic has had a great impact on the fitness centers industry. The purpose of this study is to analyze the preference of gym-goers on fitness centers in the Philippines during the COVID-19 pandemic by utilizing a conjoint analysis approach. One thousand gym-goers voluntarily participated in this study and answered 22 queries created from the orthogonal design. The results indicated that Price was the highest attribute considered (21.59%), followed by Ventilation (17.56%), Service (16.59%), Trainer (14.63%), Payment Method (11.95%), Operating Hours (8.90%), and Login (8.70%). The results also indicated that comfort, security, and fitness center services were the main aspects that gym-goers would consider as their main preference. The study highlighted how gym-goers are sensitive to the price set by the fitness centers. Moreover, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, ventilation and size are considered highly important attributes among gym-goers. Comfort, safety, and security are the main consideration to have sustainable fitness centers during and even after the COVID-19 pandemic. The outcome of this study may benefit fitness centers and increase their business market by considering the preference of customers. Finally, the result of this study can be utilized by fitness centers to promote a generalized fitness center for gym-goers of different generations, statuses, and even socioeconomic status during and even after the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Evaluation of Preference and Perceived Quality of Health Communication Icons Associated with COVID-19 Prevention Measures.

Icons have been widely utilized to describe and promote COVID-19 prevention measures. The purpose of this study was to analyze the preference and subjective design features of 133 existing icons associated with COVID-19 prevention measures published by the health and medical organizations of different countries. The 133 icons represent nineteen different function names, such as "Wash Hands" and "Wear Face Mask". A total of 57 participants were recruited to perform two different tests: ranking test and subjective rating test. The ranking test was conducted to elicit the preference ranking of seven icon designs representing each function name. It was followed by a subjective rating test using 13 semantic scales on the two most preferred icons to analyze their perceived quality. Spearmen correlation was applied to derive the possible correlations between users' rankings and the semantic scales, and Friedman's test was also performed to determine the true difference between ranking in terms of each semantic scale to provide a fully meaningful interpretation of the data. Generally, findings from the current study showed that the image presented in the icon is the key point that affects the icons' perceived quality. Interestingly, Spearman's correlation analysis between preference ranking and semantic scales showed that vague-clear, weak-strong, incompatible-compatible, and ineffective-effective were the four strongest semantic scales that highly correlated with the preference ranking. Considering the significant relationships between the semantic distances and the functions, images depicted in an icon should be realistic and as close as possible to its respected function to cater to users' preferences. In addition, the results of Spearman's correlation and Friedman's test also inferred that compatibility and clarity of icon elements are the main factors determining a particular icon's preferability. This study is the first comprehensive study to evaluate the icons associated with the COVID-19 prevention measures. The findings of this study can be utilized as the basis for redesigning icons, particularly for icons related to COVID-19 prevention measures. Furthermore, the approach can also be applied and extended for evaluating other medical icons.