Remote distance learning has posed significant challenges in the field of education, negatively impacting students' motivation and engagement in learning. The lack of real-time interaction between students and teachers is one of the many reasons why students' extrinsic and intrinsic motivation had reduced than in face-to-face learning. Aside from that, the effects of prolonged lockdown include worsened academic development, feelings of isolation, and poor instructional quality. The abrupt change in students' daily routine, academic delays, and lack of social support have an impact on their psychological health. The impact on children's and youth's mental and overall health continues to be significant, leaving many young people fearful, exasperated, and concerned about their future.

The information presented above based on research studies supports the need for students to improve their social and emotional skills. Socio-emotional skills refer to a person's ability to manage his emotions, perceive himself, and interact with others. It also refers to the ability to recognize and manage emotions, solve problems effectively, and cultivate positive relationships with others. These abilities have been linked to important life outcomes such as social competence, improved health, behavioral problem management, and having a positive mental state.

As a Science teacher, I should work on zeroing in on my students' emotions more. While the prevalence of current online distance learning modalities poses emotional challenges to students, it is critical to develop learning experiences that will improve students' motivation to learn and their overall well-being.

One way to help our students to become emotionally aware is to explicitly incorporate social-emotional learning strategies into classroom instruction. Together with my research advisees, we have developed a learning material on the lesson “Mutation” that incorporates social emotional learning elements:

In this module, five core SEL competencies have been incorporated, mainly self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship skills, and responsible decision-making.

Indeed, students' social-emotional skills must be strengthened, and teachers must recognize that achieving positive social behaviors and relationships, emotions, and attitudes not only with others but also with oneself is critical to achieving lifelong success.