The Blended Learning System of a Maritime Training Center

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The study assessed the blended learning system of Cebu Reliable and Excellent Seafarers Training (CREST) Center in Cebu City, Philippines in teaching their Basic Training (BT) Course. Specifically, the studylooked in the respondents’ extent of course experience in the online learning session of their BT course and level of competence. The findings served as basis of the proposed action plan. This study utilized the descriptive-correlational research design with the use of an adapted modified questionnaire. The study was conducted at Cebu Reliable and Excellent Seafarers Training and Assessment Center, Inc. (CREST), Cebu City. The respondents of the study were all the 50 trainees who enrolled in the BT course of CREST.

This study utilized two adapted modified questionnaire to gather data from the respondents. These questionnaires were subjected to validation and pilot testing. The questionnaire for the trainees’ course experience in the online learning session of the blended learning system got Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of 0.8494. Meanwhile, questionnaire to gather data on perceived self- efficacy of the maritime trainees’ competencies in the four areas of BT course got Cronbach’s alpha coefficient of is 0.8446. Both reliability coefficient are above the acceptable minimum reliability coefficient of 0.7000.

Before the actual data gathering, the researcher sent a letter to the operations manager askingpermissiontoconductthe study.Uponreceivingpermission,theresearcherconducted pilot testing and followed by the actual data gathering. Appropriate statistical tools were used to summarize, analyze and interpret the data from the respondents. Based on the findings of the study, the researched concluded that the blended approach to train seafarers for BT course could be an innovative and effective approach of learning, especially for the younger, tech-savvy generation. The findings also show evidence of the importance of developing the generic skills and adopting new technologies in the maritime training as both show association to various safety-related competencies. In general, the COVID-19 pandemic presents an opportunity for MET institutions to be innovative in their practices, especially in the adoption of blended learning.

Keywords: Blended learning, Training and Assessment, Maritime Education and Training, Safety Related Competencies.