Academic Integrity in the New Normal Vis-À-Vis the Remote Flexible Learning Modality at St. Paul University Surigao

Abstract

This descriptive quantitative study examined the academic integrity of the college students at St. Paul University Surigao, particularly in the new normal. The main instruments used to solicit information were validated researcher-made questionnaires administered to the 19 college teachers and 433 college students who taught and enrolled respectively at St. Paul University Surigao during the academic year 2021-2022. Stratified random sampling was employed to determine these participants. Data gathered were analyzed using the means, standard deviation, t-test, and Analysis of Variance. Both college teachers and students themselves perceived that college students have high levels of academic integrity in the new normal, especially in terms of honesty, trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, and courageousness, all as they engaged in their flexible learning classes. Hence, the Paulinian Remote Flexible Learning scheme of St. Paul University Surigao is deemed effective in promoting quality education ensuring the sustenance of the inculcation of the Paulinian core values in the new normal alongside the promotion and strengthening of the fundamental values and indicators of academic integrity. The perceived level of academic integrity of college students also does not differ when they are grouped according to sex and age. However, there is a significant difference in the perceived level of academic integrity of college students in terms of course, particularly when talking about responsibility, fairness, and courage. Also, there is a significant difference in the perceived level of academic integrity of college students in terms of year level, particularly when talking about fairness. The school administrators may continue orienting both students and teachers regarding the essence of academic integrity and why is it important to embody academic integrity even challenged by the changing times and that implementing limited face-to-face classes for all course programs should now be considered following the minimum health protocols and standards in order to lessen the possibility of academic dishonesty caused by remote online classes in the pandemic era.