Creating Opportunities in Understanding Practical Research and Livelihood Education (Project COUPLE)

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Research as part of the educational process has practical importance and should help the learners in improving research skills and most importantly, in earning a livelihood. As part of it, creating an opportunity to understand research and itsimplications in improving livelihood could be a better way for the students in embracing its worth and value. Through actual participation and involvement, PROJECT COUPLE aims to improve Grade 11 learners' research skills in the subject Practical ResearchI and Bread and Pastry Production towards the development of qualitative livelihood education-based research proposals and outputs at the end of the semester.

METHODS

This study had been conducted among forty-seven (47) students from Technical, Vocational and Livelihood (TVL) track at Liwayway National High School in Mauban, Quezon taking up Practical Research I and Bread and Pastry Production chosen purposively by the researchers. It had been utilized mixed methods of research gathering qualitative data from the semi-structured interview and observational analysis while the quantitative data from the pretest and posttest results.

RESULTS

This study has revealed that qualitative researchers can be linked across other fields of learning particularly in technical and livelihood education. Certain issues in the conduct were addressed by the teacher and students through creating opportunities in understanding practical research and livelihood education. Based on the inventory of the challenges and difficultiesmet by the learners, they lead the way to develop the majority of their needed research skills. The significant differences in the test scores proved that there was an improvement in student's knowledge in undertaking a research study.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the results, the researchers felt the need to sustain the passion of the learners in conducting qualitative livelihood-based research. An opportunity for them to understand practical research incorporating their knowledge on bread and pastry production. The study has revealed that Grade 11 student-researchers should prepare themselves to create their title proposals ahead of time before the start of the Grade 12 1st semester. Junior High School teachers should engage the learners in research works so that they would not set themselves as inexperienced researchers. Thus, research skills, being considered as a lifelong learning skill, should be strengthened prior to the actual research arena.