Blended Learning: An Approach to Improve the Academic Performance of Grade Seven Learners in Mathematics

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Nowadays, students are very engaged in technology that is why blended learning has been modified. When traditional teaching and computer-assisted teaching methods were combined, it may improve students' achievement. It is more effective in terms of improving students' attitudes towards Mathematics thus making them enjoy studying it. It also improves the interaction among peers, and between students and teachers. That is why it is significant in the academic progress of the students and it should be fully implemented in all subject areas.

METHODS

Experimental and Quantitative methods were used in the conduct of the study. The respondents of the study were 60 Grade 7 learners from the two sections handled by the teacher-researchers. These learners were included in below average group of learners based on the analysis of their report card during their primary grade level. They were divided into two groups: 30 learners in the controlled group who has neither smartphone nor internet access and 30 learners in the experimental group who have access to the internet.

RESULTS

The level of performance of students in Mathematics is very low as observed in Pre-test with a mean of 4.00 or 49.93 percent. On the other hand, there is an increase in the academic performance of Grade 7 students in Mathematics upon the implementation of blended learning approach based on the result of post-test with a mean of 11.17 or 80.83 percent. Moreover, there is a significant difference between the academic performance of students in Mathematics with the implementation of pre-test and post-test using a blended learning approach

DISCUSSIONS

The findings show that when traditional teaching was combined with computer-assisted teaching methods, it may improve students' achievement and more effective in terms of improving students' attitudes towards Mathematics. It also improves the interaction among peers and between students and teachers, making it significant in the academic progress of the students. Therefore, there is a significant difference in traditional classroom instruction and the use of blended learning approach in the academic performance of Grade 7 learners in Mathematics.