Competency and Challenges of BTLED-ICT Students in 2D Animation: An Analytical Study

Abstract: This study employed a descriptive-quantitative design to examine the competencies and challenges of Bachelor of Technology and Livelihood Education major in Information and Communication Technology (BTLED-ICT) students in 2D animation. Specifically, it assessed students’ profiles in terms of age, sex, and socio-economic status; evaluated their competency in producing traditional key poses, creating traditional animation, developing 2D digital cut-out animation, and exporting animation to video file formats; identified the challenges encountered in learning resources, facilities and equipment, and IT infrastructure; and analyzed the relationship between competency levels and challenges met. Findings revealed that the majority of respondents were young adults, predominantly female (79.7%), with most belonging to lower socio-economic backgrounds (75.9%), which posed limitations in accessing essential resources. Competency results indicated that students were generally proficient in producing key poses and digital cut-out animation, with mean ratings of 3.10 and 3.13, respectively. However, notable gaps remained in areas requiring technical precision, such as dialogue synchronization. Learning resources (M = 4.32) and IT infrastructure (M = 4.33) were perceived favorably, although issues with accessibility, technical support, and policy clarity were noted. Facilities and equipment were also rated positively but raised concerns regarding adequacy of task-specific tools and power accessibility. The study concludes that while BTLED-ICT students possess foundational competencies in 2D animation, socio-economic constraints and technical skill gaps remain barriers to mastery. Enhancing financial support, refining technical training, upgrading learning resources and facilities, and strengthening IT infrastructure are recommended to further improve instructional delivery and student outcomes. These findings underscore the critical role of resource accessibility and institutional support in developing professional competencies in creative and technical fields.