Filipino Students’ Preferred Motivational Strategies in Science: A Cross-Sectional Survey

A multitude of strategies are being utilized by the teachers to engage students in the classroom activities and foster critical thinking which can ignite their interest in the lesson. However, very few researches have been conducted on students’ preferences in these different motivational strategies. This cross-sectional survey research explores the preferred motivational strategies in science instruction among 106 high school students in a public secondary school in Zambales, Philippines. The motivational strategies were classified based on Howard Gardner’s theory on multiple intelligences. The study found out that the students moderately preferred visual-auditory (M=2.88), logical-mathematical (M=2.70) and kinesthetic (M=2.60) motivational strategies. Science trivia, picture presentation, and mini labwork are the most common motivational strategies used by Science teachers. The study recommends that teachers may utilize engaging, relevant, and learner-centered motivational strategies to make Science instruction more alive and more effective. The use of varied strategies to arouse students’ interest may also be observed to cater the students’ multiple intelligences

IMPLEMENTATION STATUS OF K12 SOCIAL STUDIES PROGRAM IN PHILIPPINE PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Curriculum implementation needs to be gauged regularly to ensure its effectiveness, efficiency and its relevance to the needs of the students and of the industry. This descriptive-survey research gauged the status of the Social Studies program under the K12 Curriculum for its first four years of implementation. A total of 30 Social Studies teachers and 5 school administrators from three national secondary schools in one division in Central Luzon, Philippines served as respondents of the study. Results revealed that a typical teacher is a female, 37.33 years old, teaching profession for 3.07 years, and a college graduate while a typical administrator is a female, 32.20 years old, serving for about 21.60 years, and a college graduate with MA units. The secondary teachers and school administrators assessed the status of implementation of the curriculum in selected public secondary schools as “moderately observed” in terms of resource variables (M=3.63), process variables (M=3.84) and contextual variables (3.93). Moreover, there is no significant difference between the assessment of the teachers and administrators on the status of the implementation of Social Studies program with regard to the three components. Further, there is no significant difference in the assessment of the teachers and administrators when respondents are grouped according to profile variables. A well-monitored implementation of the K12 Curriculum, specifically the Social Studies program, by stakeholders is recommended. Periodic assessment of the curriculum may also be done to ensure its alignment to the changing educational landscapes and to cope with the challenges of Education 4.0

Evaluating the research productivity of a state university in Central Luzon, Philippines: Basis for policy recommendations

This descriptive study evaluated the research productivity of a state university in Central Luzon, Philippines, for the past five years (2016-2020) as basis for policy formulation. The study used document analysis to ascertain the research productivity in terms of: i) Number of papers published in refereed international journals such as Scopus and Commission on Higher Education (CHED) accredited journals; ii) Number of faculty researchers with publication to these journals; and iii) Total number of citations. The data were obtained primarily from online publications found in the Google Scholar and Scopus databases. Results revealed that the state university's research productivity is relatively high in terms of published papers in refereed international journals for the past five years. However, the published papers in Scopus-indexed journals and CHED accredited journals are relatively low. An average number of faculty researchers publish their works in reputable journals, but very few faculties publish in the journals recommended by the CHED. Likewise, the university had a remarkable research citation record for the past five years. The findings of this research have important implications for policy to improve research productivity and enhance the research culture in higher education institutions (HEIs). Such policies include the need to have strong support to faculty researchers, forge research collaborations, source external research funding, and establish a sound incentive mechanism

Teaching internship from the metaphorical lens of Filipino prospective teachers

Understanding prospective teachers’ (PTs) conceptions and perspectives about teaching internship may serve as an anchor for understanding their new experiences. The study explores Filipino PTs’ concepts of teaching internship through a metaphorical lens. Seventy-five PTs from a state-owned university in the Philippines served as the subjects of this qualitative inquiry. Data came from written narratives and explanations provided by the participants to describe their ideas on what a teaching internship is all about. The metaphoric images were enumerated, counted, interpreted, and classified to show meaningful patterns and themes. Findings showed that conceptions converged into six categories teaching internship as: 1) An endless learning venture; 2) A rewarding obstacle to surpass; 3) A chance to be a surrogate parent; 4) An enhancement of pedagogical competence; 5) An immersion in the actual workplace; and 6) An ultimate path towards becoming a teacher. Metaphors used by the participants were a mix of positive and negative symbolisms. The study offered possible descriptions for these conceptions and their implications on teacher education institutions (TEIs). The supervision of the off-campus teaching internship program could be enhanced at the onset of Education 4.0

Exploring Prospective Teachers' Reasons for Choosing General Science as a Specialization

Choosing a career path is difficult for students, especially in their transition from senior high school to college. Students struggle to select the most viable program that suits their interests, skills, and passion. Hence, most students end up shifting among courses and, at worst, dropping out of their program. This qualitative study explores the reasons prospective teachers specialize in General Science in a teacher education program. The data were gathered through interviews and were treated through thematic analysis. Eight themes emerged including (1) alignment to chosen senior high school strand; (2) personal choice and interest; (3) passion for science; (4) personal knowledge and skills; (5) inspiration by teachers; (6) encouragement from family; (7) challenge to oneself; and (8) non-availability of a preferred course. The study has established important implications for admission policies in terms of the selection process for students enrolling in the General Science program. Higher education institutions (HEIs) should support the continuous improvement of the science education curriculum, campus and physical facilities, and student services, which are at the heart of education in a volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous (VUCA) world

Knowledge about and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination of rural residents in Zambales, Philippines

Vaccines are among the most effective preventive measures developed to minimize the risks of COVID-19. This cross-sectional study employs an online survey to determine the knowledge and attitude toward COVID-19 vaccination among the general population in rural Zambales, Philippines. A total of 690 residents responded to the knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination survey questionnaire (KAC19V-SQ) regarding the residents' knowledge about and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. Television, Facebook and YouTube are the residents' primary sources of COVID-19 vaccine information. Almost all of them (98.0%) know about the COVID-19 vaccine, but only 81.3% of the residents know about its effectiveness. Most (69.7%) indicated they want to get vaccinated. Zambales residents' knowledge about COVID-19 vaccination was low. Despite having a low level of knowledge, respondents showed a favorable attitude (mean±SD:2.76±0.47) toward COVID-19 vaccination. Women had a less favorable attitude than men. Furthermore, a moderately positive correlation (r=0.511, p<0.01) was noted between knowledge and attitude towards COVID-19 vaccination. It is imperative that the government works in tandem with public health experts, local government officials, and academic institutions to develop and implement initiatives geared towards enhancing public awareness and fostering a positive outlook towards COVID-19 vaccination

Challenges in STEM Learning: A Case of Filipino High School Students

STEM education faces monumental challenges which are aggravated by the Industrial Revolution (IR) 4.0 and the current COVID-19 global contagion. These challenges also affect how students learn in the STEM discipline in the senior high school. This qualitative study employed a case research design which sought to investigate nature of the challenges in STEM learning among senior high school students in the Philippines. Semi-structured interview guide was used in gathering the qualitative data from the 20 STEM learners in a government-run secondary school in Zambales, Philippines. Findings showed that the students encountered challenges in the STEM program. Ten themes emerged based on the students’ responses. These challenges encountered by the students revolved around three categories – course-related challenges, individual challenges and socio-cultural challenges. The study recommends that schools offering STEM academic strands may reframe and rethink their processes, practices and policies to address the students’ challenges in STEM learning. Policy recommendations are also discussed in the paper to equip the students towards the demands of Industrial Revolution 4.0 and in the post-pandemic world