Positive experiences in online learning
The flexibility of online education has been widely recognized as one advantage [18]. However, in the case of FBICC, there is a fixed schedule or time slot per week when you will attend the class session. There are 11 sessions all in all and in each session, interactive learning takes place where the instructor calls each participant and an open camera is required throughout. Just like other zoom meetings, a virtual background is provided and the instructors who serve as hosts control the platform. The instructional materials are provided in advance as well as the zoom links through the What’sApp application. All these platforms can be accessible even using mobile devices. Hence, most student-participants from the Philippines are joining the session using their mobile gadgets.
“Yes. I enjoyed every session because there is an interactive learning. I am also very overwhelmed for the new vocabularies that I have learned. For me this is not merely a compliance but it was a short journey filled with new experiences and learning.”-P4 “It is good, because our Instructors are very polite and approachable. They always make sure that we will interact with the class always.”-P3, P9, P13
Mary and Joan are participants who are thankful of the opportunity for they have seen Indonesia even without spending money in going there and learning the language.
“For me it is worth my time and effort because I enrolled just to fulfil my curiosity and now I am learning other countries culture and I get the chance to interact with different people. It’s an opportunity and I am glad I grabbed it.”-P1 “Enrolling in FBICC is worth my time and effort for the reason that it helps me to understand new culture and environment even in the virtual setting. With the help of FBICC, I was able to explore Indonesia virtually, and visit their different tourist spots without spending money.”-P15
One has a gratifying feeling when he/she is communicating in a new language and being able to interact with foreigners using their language. As what Susan and Ann opined:
“The most positive experience that I have in FBICC is when I am able to recite what is asked to me in Basaha Indonesia, it is kind of awkward since I am not fluent, but I considered it positive because I am learning and I am able to practice it.”- P10 “There is a lot of good things that happened throughout the entire FBICC experience but what appealed to me the most is the fact that most of my classmates came from different countries and we got to interact with them. I’ve realized how diverse we are in yet we always come to understanding and just enjoy the lesson though it is done online.” – P6