Mobile Applications: An Intervention Used in Practical Research for Grade 11 Students in the Anuling National High School

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Students are drawn to use technology and software often. One may observe that they use their cellphone in almost all time available or during times allowed by the teacher. In the current education system, students are only allowed to use their mobile phones when needed for presentation and discussion. Practical Research is an applied subject in Senior High School wherein students are required to develop a research paper that is related to their field of choice. Many had failed to comply with this requirement, which gave way to the action research question: What effect does mobile application integration have on student engagement in Practical Research?

METHODS

The study involved 18 students who failed the Research subject. The students were required to download the following applications from the Playstore: Lecture Notes, Research-An Endless Journey, G-Form and notePad+. They also used Google Forms for data gathering and GMail. The researcher's collection methods included pre-and post-intervention surveys, observations, teacher journals, assignment completion rates, and brief questionnaires after technology integration lessons. The survey collected data using Likert scales and closed-ended responses and qualitative data using open-ended responses. The technologies incorporated were new additions to the typical lessons, and as such required students to download the applications. The teacher then explains, demonstrates and provide examples.

RESULTS

The students' interest, motivation, and engagement increased as well as improvement in enjoyment and enthusiasm research activities involving technology when compared to the traditional strategy of teaching. Integrating mobile learning applications fosters an interesting learning atmosphere. Enabling students to have better grades, execute assignments better and an overall change in students’ perspective in studying research.

DISCUSSIONS

Technology integration suggests several positive effects related to student engagement, organization, collaboration, and motivation. It also bridges the digital gap between the teacher and the student. Overall, the research project shows increased student engagement when technology is used. Increased engagement translates to improved attitude and motivation in the classroom, which should then, in turn, improve student performance. Further study can be conducted wherein this intervention will be implemented to a class parallel to another class that utilizes the traditional form of teaching research.