The study was geared toward determining the factors embedded in “hidden curricula” in an online learning environment of a physical education teacher education program. This qualitative-descriptive study considered a complete enumeration of the Bachelor of Physical Education students from a state university in Pampanga, Philippines who voluntarily participated in this qualitative investigation (n = 135) by responding to structured and open-ended questions. Aided by Thematic Analysis, findings revealed six emerging themes that described the embedded hidden curricula in the online learning environment, namely: contributory factors in an online learning experience (OLEx); educational opportunities in the new normal learning set-up; unfavorable factors in using online learning environment; and proposed inputs in enhancing the teaching-learning process in an OLEx. The implications derived as an outgrowth of the identified positive and negative factors as expressed by the participants provided a conceptual understanding of the contemporary picture of the hidden curricula and how it would define the future of an effective online learning experience.

The increased awareness of the value of physical activity by introducing sports and games in the Physical Education curriculum of special education (SPED) schools in the Philippines has been both a trend and a challenge in program planning, implementation, assessment, and professional background of teachers. To evaluate the benefits of learners’ participation in physical activity, this study, therefore, measured and evaluated the health-related physical fitness status of learners in an educational institution for the visually impaired in the Philippines. The health-related physical fitness levels of blind or braille user learners (N = 12) were measured utilizing the following standardized tests: body mass index (BMI); modified sit and reach and zipper tests (flexibility); vertical jump test (power); four-level sit-ups (core strength); and 3-minute step test (cardiorespiratory endurance). Overall results revealed that the participants’ health-related physical fitness levels were below normative standards for fitness. Interviews among the special education teachers of the institution also revealed that their minimal training on fitness testing and physical activity programming, including the scarcity of materials and equipment, emerged as common problems encountered by them as far as fitness is concerned. Given the proper training on the conduct and monitoring of physical fitness tests and the facilitation of physical activity-related programs, special education teachers will be able to address the children’s needs in physical activity, fitness, and leisure programs. The results of the study will serve as inputs toward the development of a comprehensive fitness and leisure program, especially in SPED schools.

Distance learning manifested an increasing growth in the field of higher education. Although it may not be exactly comparable to a residential face-to-face encounter, considering the engagement of the students in learning within a virtual context is still significant. Thus, this action research was conducted to sustain the level of virtual engagement among undergraduate teacher education students specializing in Physical Education when interactive buzz breaks are introduced in their online synchronous sessions. This study utilized a mixed-method collaborative action research approach. The participants included 48 second-year Bachelor of Physical Education (BPEd) students enrolled in the course, “Drug Education, Consumer Health, and Nutrition”, from a teacher education institution (TEI) in Central Luzon, Philippines during the second semester of the academic year 2021-2022. Multiple sources of data were collected and analyzed which included teacher’s observation notes, Student Engagement Survey Questionnaire, and reflective journals. Five (5) interactive buzz break activities were implemented using the “Wordwall” as an intervention within twelve synchronous sessions. The survey questionnaire was administered before (pre-assessment) and after (post-assessment) the intervention to describe the students’ level of virtual engagement. Results of the quantitative phase revealed that there is a high level of students’ behavioral, cognitive, and emotional virtual engagement before and after the strategy. The qualitative phase further promoted these results to reveal the remarkable experiences encountered by students during the intervention implementation that contributed to sustaining their virtual engagement. The derived results and findings posit that administering various interactive buzz break activities with the utilization of various educational platforms synchronously and asynchronously may sustain and further improve students’ virtual engagement.

The study was geared toward determining the influence of integrating Gamification in a Virtual Ecology (GIVE) in enhancing classroom engagement in physical education among senior high school students in a state university in Pampanga, Philippines. This qualitative-descriptive study included a complete enumeration of the Grade 12 Technical-Vocational-Livelihood (TVL) students who voluntarily participated in this qualitative investigation (n = 58) by responding to open-ended questions. Results of the open-ended questionnaire decipher the influence of gamification on students’ level of engagement and the barriers encountered upon its inclusion. The study utilized Braun and Clarke's Thematic Analysis strategy, which was aided by computer-assisted qualitative analysis software, MAXQDA Analytics Pro 2022. The study revealed two emerging themes that described the influence of gamification in the students' virtual ecology, namely: (1) the effects of the integration of gamified instruction on students’ engagement; and (2) students' problems in using gamified instruction. The findings of this study may predate the institutionalization of the prospective enhancement of the teacher’s capabilities through the aid of gamification to improve the classroom engagement of the students in a virtual ecology towards a better understanding of the lessons in physical education settings.

<span lang="EN-US">The coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic has extremely caused massive disruptions in the education sector, and this led to the adoption of full-distance learning modalities across different educational institutions worldwide. However, studies are still needed within the context of the Philippines in terms of the impact of the pandemic on university students in light of a gradual limited face-to-face transition. This study determined the Filipino college students’ perceived impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and the prevalence of depression, anxiety, and stress symptomatology (DASS) among them. This cross-sectional study surveyed Filipino university students from a public higher education institution in the Philippines via convenience sampling. A total of 3,718 students participated in the study. Analysis showed that despite the respondents’ level of DASS being roughly similar and normal, half of them is experiencing mild to extremely severe symptomatology. Further results indicated that there is a statistically significant difference in their DASS when grouped according to their gender and class level. The findings will be beneficial to multiple stakeholders in designing data-driven policies that would maximize the possibility of a safe resumption of limited, gradual, and eventually, full face-to-face modalities.</span>