Development and Validation of Strategic Intervention Materials ( SIMs) Using Synectics in Grade Seven Physics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Students in Southville IV National High School were often contending with many difficulties during solving quantitative physics tasks. One of the reasons for this difficulty is the scarcity of instructional materials that can address their least develop skills. For these reasons, the researcher tried to construct instructional materials that are incorporated with Synectics, an approach in solving problems that use metaphors which make learning enjoyable and creative.

METHODS

The study used the Input-Process-Output Model of developing instructional materials. The input component for the SIMs was taken from the K to 12 Curriculum guide and guidelines established by the Department of Education in constructing SIMs. The SIM process includes SIM preparation, SIM development, and SIM validation. The SIM preparation includes the selection of the content based on the least mastered skills. The SIM development stage deals with actual writing, production, proofreading, editing, and initial revision. The validation stage was done through the first and second pilot testing of the edited SIM to the 60 grade seven students. After each pilot test was conducted, the SIMs were subjected to validation by five selected experts. The developed and validated SIM using Synectics for grade seven physics was the output of the study.

RESULTS

The results revealed that the SIMs content and pedagogical aspects are "evident" while its technical aspect is described as "very evident" as rated by the experts. The internal consistency between responses is rated as "good". The teacher-student ratings on SIMs showed that there is a "good agreement" (first try out) and "moderate agreement" (second try out) and also showed that their responses are significant. The SIMs were also within the students' level of comprehension as revealed in the Flesch reading score.

DISCUSSIONS

Based on the results, there is a high consistency in the responses of the experts based on the SIMs' content, pedagogy, and technical aspects which make the SIMs suitable for students. It shows that the students and teachers agreed that the SIMs are effective in terms of their content, clarity, presentation, and relevance. The Flesch reading score implies that the readability of the SIMs is easy and is suitable in grade seven students. As the SIMs conveyed the standards of Department of Education in making SIMs, the researcher proposed that the constructed SIMs may be used as an intervention in grade seven physics and it is recommended to test its effectiveness.