Switching to virtual classes: exploring teacher readiness under the ‘new normal’

The recent global pandemic necessitated a shift which compelled educators to embrace online modalities. The authors examined the preparedness of teachers for this transition in three key domains: material readiness, home environment readiness and psychological disposition readiness. Survey data, gathered from 219 Filipino educators via an online questionnaire, revealed noteworthy insights. Most respondents registered a lack of confidence in internet connectivity and admitted not having household surroundings conducive to work-from-home arrangements. Despite some educators expressing readiness for online instruction, a prevalent theme emerged wherein a majority demonstrated unwillingness to assume the role of 'digital teachers'. This study posits that while transitioning to non-traditional spaces like the online platform is imperative in times of global pandemic, being mindful of the myriad of readiness issues faced by educators is equally important to ensure a truly meaningful and effective online teaching experience.