Experiences Encountered by Cadets during Onboard Training in the New Normal

Educational organizations worldwide, including Maritime Education and Training (MET) institutions, have faced significant difficulties due to the global spread of COVID-19. These institutions had to swiftly adapt to the pandemic by implementing technological and organizational solutions to ensure uninterrupted teaching and learning. The demand for distributed learning, digital tools, and infrastructure to effectively restructure MET has been accelerated by the pandemic. In the Philippines, the second semester of the academic year 2019-2020 brought confusion to the academe as classes were indefinitely suspended and lockdowns were imposed. This situation generated mixed feelings regarding the pandemic and its impact on the academic environment. The challenge of maintaining the same level of quality and excellence in education through remote learning proved to be particularly challenging for cadets who needed to undergo cadet ship training and examinations. The objective of this research paper was to identify the challenges faced by cadets during the pandemic and explore how they overcame these obstacles using various motivations. The study utilized qualitative research methods, specifically interviews with MET cadets, to gather data on their experiences throughout the pandemic. The findings reveal that cadets encountered difficulties in adjusting to remote learning, primarily due to limited access to reliable internet and technological devices. Nevertheless, the cadets were motivated to overcome these challenges by their determination to pursue their education and achieve their goals. They relied on peer support, communication with instructors, and self-motivation techniques to conquer these obstacles. The study underscores the significance of digital tools and infrastructure in ensuring continuous education during the pandemic. It also highlights the importance of support systems such as peer assistance and communication with instructors in surmounting challenges associated with remote learning.