Constructivism Approach in Teaching Ecosystem among Secondary Learners in Alternative Learning System in the Division of Batangas City

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The researcher is a volunteer ALS teacher in the Division of Batangas City who had researched the constructivism approach in the teaching ecosystem among secondary learners in the Alternative Learning System in the Division of Batangas City. In this field, it is necessary to study what strategy is suited to those kinds of learners; therefore, the teachers will determine the strategy that they are going to apply to their teaching process. To assess this problem, new innovative strategies are being used. Among these strategies, the constructivism approach is one that may prove helpful in developing the basic skills of ALS learners. This study covered the used of the constructivism approach in teaching ecosystem. The output of the study was an instructional material.

METHODS

The descriptive method of research was applied using a lesson plan as data gathering instruments. There were 28 pupils in secondary learners in the Alternative Learning System in Division of Batangas City which became the respondents of the study. All of them were present during the presentation and discussion of the lessons. Thus, no sampling method was used. Frequency, percentage, and ranking were the statistical tools used in the study. It also utilized the construction of lesson plans, discussion, and administration of test and procedure.

RESULTS

The constructivism approach is an innovative strategy in which students construct their knowledge themselves through interactions with peers and correlating it with their previous knowledge. Its features and lessons were determined and were applied in the teaching of ecosystems relative to relationships among organisms in an ecosystem; ecosystems and their components; and natural and man-made ecosystems. Thus, the performance of learners was determined. The learners had high performance in each lesson in the ecosystem using the constructivism approach based on the result of the formative test.

DISCUSSIONS

The result of this study determines the need to use the constructivism approach in teaching science topics like ecosystems. The proposed supplementary materials were graphic organizers, journals, and mock-up. A similar study may be conducted using another topic in Science and applying other strategies and conducting experimental research. The findings of the study will give them the idea that the constructivism approach can be used as a good teaching strategy in teaching science.