What is it about?
This study looked at how online learning affects students' academic and social behaviors—like being honest, doing well in school, working with others, and personal growth. Researchers asked 374 college students taking an Ethics class about their experiences using platforms like Google Classroom, Google Meet, and UCU-iKonek. The results showed that most students felt online learning helped them improve in areas like honesty (academic integrity), learning skills (competence), teamwork, and personal development (transcendence). However, there were still problems—especially with cheating and using resources they weren’t supposed to during tests. Also, it was harder for students to connect and collaborate with their classmates online. To fix these issues, the study suggests using tools like plagiarism checkers, random test questions, and live monitoring during exams. It also recommends adding more group work, breakout rooms, and discussion activities to help students engage with each other. Lastly, it encourages training teachers to use online teaching tools better so students stay motivated and act ethically in virtual classrooms.
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Why is it important?
The above study is important for several reasons: It shows how online learning affects student behavior. With education shifting online—especially during the pandemic—it’s crucial to understand how students’ honesty, learning ability, and ability to work with others are impacted. This helps schools know what’s working and what needs improvement. It identifies real challenges in academic honesty. Cheating and misuse of online resources are serious concerns in digital education. This study highlights those risks and offers ways to reduce them, helping protect the value of academic work. It points out gaps in social connection. While students are learning online, they often feel isolated. This lack of peer interaction can affect motivation, teamwork, and personal growth. The study’s findings stress the need for more interactive and collaborative activities. It offers practical solutions. The recommendations—like using plagiarism tools, group projects, and teacher training—are realistic and can be applied immediately by schools to improve online learning environments. It supports ethical and holistic education. By focusing on integrity, competence, teamwork, and transcendence, the study encourages schools to go beyond grades and help shape students into responsible and well-rounded individuals. In short, this study matters because it helps educators, students, and institutions build better, fairer, and more engaging online learning experiences.
Perspectives
My Perspective as a Teacher Facing Online Learning Challenges: As a teacher, I’ve seen firsthand how online learning has changed the way we teach and connect with students. While the study shows that online platforms can support integrity, competence, and even teamwork, my experience tells me that using these tools isn’t always easy—especially when you're not highly skilled in technology. I often find it overwhelming to keep up with the technical demands—navigating platforms, managing digital assessments, using breakout rooms, or tracking student engagement online. It’s easy to feel left behind, especially when students seem more comfortable with technology than I am. This gap creates pressure and can affect how well I deliver lessons or maintain discipline and fairness. Despite these struggles, I also see the potential. Online learning opens new opportunities—access to more resources, flexible learning styles, and creative ways to engage students. But to fully embrace these, I need more support—training, time to explore tools, and understanding from my institution. I agree with the study's recommendations. Tools like plagiarism detectors or discussion-based tasks are great—but they’re only effective if I know how to use them well. Faculty training and support are not just "add-ons"; they are essential if we want online education to succeed not just for students, but also for teachers like me.
MR. GLEEMOORE CARLOS MAKIE
Benguet State University
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: The Influence of Online Learning on the Academic and Social Behaviors of College Students, Journal of Interdisciplinary Perspectives, January 2025, TWR Book Publishing Services,
DOI: 10.69569/jip.2025.163.
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