Social Studies Practice Teacher\u27s Views on Culturally Responsive Teaching

This study aimed to describe the views of social studies practice teachers on culturally responsive pedagogy (CRT). A qualitative-descriptive research design was employed, utilizing a written interview guide to collect data from eight purposefully selected social studies practice teachers. Thematic analysis was employed in analyzing data, with Culturally Relevant Pedagogy Theory serving as the theoretical framework. The findings revealed five meaningful categories that encapsulated the views of social studies practice teachers on CRT. Firstly, in terms of academic success, CRT was viewed to foster a positive learning environment and employ relevant pedagogies. Secondly, regarding cultural competence, CRT was viewed to establish sensitivity towards diversity and promote healthy coexistence. Lastly, in relation to sociopolitical consciousness, CRT was viewed to encourage active citizenship. This study holds educators to benefit from the insights gained, as they provide guidance on creating a positive learning environment and developing strategies that cater to culturally diverse students

Learning Local History and Culture Through Museum Visits

This study described how social studies preservice teachers learn local history and culture through museum visits. It employed a qualitative descriptive research design involving ten social studies preservice teachers selected through purposeful sampling. Data were collected through a written interview and analyzed using thematic analysis. Through museum visits, social studies preservice teachers learned the following: visual driven through images, relics and artifacts, and multimedia presentation; audio/oral driven through curator explanation and peer discussion; text driven through text description; and actual experience-driven through applying learning from exhibits, giving a point of view from the past, and wearing traditional attire. Preservice social studies teachers can learn about local history and culture by visiting museums. This study emphasizes the value of museums in preserving and promoting local heritage and culture, as well as how they can be a valuable resource for learning about local history and culture

Social Studies Students’ Motivation in Online Learning during COVID-19 Pandemic

This study described the experiences of social studies students as well as how they managed to stay inclined to learn given the struggles, they faced during the COVID-19 pandemic. Also, it looked at how social studies students have faced challenges but are still actively pursuing their own dreams during the pandemic. This research employed a qualitative-narrative approach, involving five (5) social studies students. As data collection techniques, students were asked to write narratively using Gibbs reflective cycle. The findings revealed that students' motivation to continue learning during the COVID-19 pandemic was divided into three main themes, each with its own set of categories and subcategories. The three themes and categories described were: (a) personal, with categories of challenges, self-determination, satisfaction and religious commitment; (b) social, with categories of relationships, inspiration, and well-being; and (c) environmental, with categories of breaking in/conditioning and amenities. The themes and categories showed that these social studies students got their inspiration to learn during the pandemic. According to the findings, these students were intrinsically and extrinsically motivated and dedicated to their studies. The majority of these students were spurred by their individual goals, not by a controlled motive, an incentive, a consequence, or a regulation. This study proposes that students be prepared to be more resilient and to build the ability to be hopeful and motivated to succeed and transcend any of life's hardships by defining how they achieved to motivate themselves

Students’ Views from Webinars: A Qualitative Study

This research study aimed to describe the lessons which students learned from joining webinars. This utilized qualitative- narrative analysis methodology and involved six informants through purposive sampling based on inclusion criteria. In-depth interviews and focus group discussions using semi-structured interviews and written reflection based on Gibb's reflective model were employed to gather data. The data were transcribed, analyzed, compared, and rigidly categorized into different themes to provide a backbone of the narratives. Lessons that students learned from joining webinars were 1. Simple, yet deep descriptions, 2. Humble, yet genuine feelings, 3. Objective, yet, heartfelt evaluation, 4. Patchy, yet holistic analysis, 5. Innovative, yet personal conclusions, and, 6. Firm, yet purposeful actions. The findings of this study have significant implications on social studies teachers, curriculum planners, and school policymakers in considering the importance of webinars in teaching and learning in the new normal

School On Wheels and Multimedia-Aided Instructions as Mediators of Students’ Local Cultural Heritage Awareness

Countless stories are told about local heritage sites. Because these stories are one-of-a-kind, they present a significant challenge to students' knowledge and awareness of their cultural background. Furthermore, literature is scarce on students' historical and architectural knowledge of local cultural heritage places. This study determined the level of local cultural heritage sites knowledge of sixty (60) students through school on wheels and multimedia-aided instructions. The study made use of a duly-validated researcher-made Local Cultural Heritage Sites Questionnaire. Frequency count, mean, and standard deviation were the descriptive statistics used while t-test was used for inferential statistics set at 0.05 level of significance using the Statistical Packages for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. The results revealed that the level of students' historical and architectural knowledge of local cultural heritage sites was "moderate" and shifted to "high" when school on wheels and multimedia-aided instructions were introduced. There were significant differences in the historical and architectural knowledge of the students on local cultural heritage sites. Students' knowledge is improved via teaching and learning activities that give experiential and meaningful learning. Increased local cultural heritage knowledge of students is a step forward in promoting cultural heritage conservation and preservation

Principal’s Leadership Practices during the COVID 19 Pandemic: An Exploratory Study

This qualitative research study looked into principals' leadership practices during the COVID-19 pandemic. It enlisted the participation of five school principals using convenient sampling based on inclusion criteria. To collect data, a semi-structured written interview based on Hersey and Blanchard's Situational leadership theory was used. To display the narratives, the data were transcribed, examined, compared, and carefully categorized into several themes. The findings reveal that school principals employed: 1. Strengths-based Practices; 2. Values-based Practices; and 3. Needs-based Practices. The findings of this study highlighted the need of applying situational leadership practices to strengthen principals' instructional and administrative duties, particularly during times of global crises

Contextualized Strategies of Elementary School Teachers in Teaching IP (Indigenous People) Learners

Contextualized teaching strategies are instructional approaches that relate learning to a specific environment, scenario, or application area to target relevant skills and aid students’ learning. This study explored the various contextualized teaching strategies employed by elementary school teachers in their instruction of Indigenous People (IP) learners. This descriptive-qualitative research employed in-depth interviews to gather data and analyzed using thematic analysis. Two significant themes emerged, namely the integration of local materials and the Glocal Approach. Likewise, the integration of local materials includes reading materials, modules, and contextualized storybooks, while the glocal approach includes the use of springboard, differentiated instruction, one-on-one sessions, and equity pedagogy. Providing IP learners with strategic contexts improves their learning process by inspiring interest, curiosity, motivation, and engagement with knowledge

Exploring Mentees’ Needs from a Mentoring Program: Towards the Development of a Mentoring Toolkit

This study aimed to find out mentees' needs from a mentoring program, mentor characteristics that are considered desirable by mentees, and to develop the mentoring toolkit. It was based on a developmental research design. Through purposive or selective sampling, it involved eight (8) informants. Focus Group Discussion (FGD) and mentoring chat records were used to collect data, which was then analyzed using NVivo Software under the guidance of the qualitative content analysis technique. A duly-validated researcher-made instrument was used to evaluate the toolkit's acceptability. Mentees' needs included study abilities, thinking skills, resource management, teaching skills, personal and family concerns, and articulated mentors' desirable characteristics, according to part one (1) of this study. The five (5) components of the toolkit that was developed were listed in the second (2) portion of this study. Targets, Ideas, Plans, and Supplements were the four (4) parts of the toolkit. The toolkit also includes six (6) mentoring blocks, and the physical attributes, objectives, content, usefulness, and self-help aspects of the toolkit were all evaluated outstanding (M = 3.92). Mentoring programs are useful in determining the needs of mentees as well as providing a basis for developing materials that are useful to both mentors and mentees