Utilization of Simplified Work Activities (SWA) in Grade 7 Remedial Science Class: its Implication Towards their Performance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Science is an important field of discipline. Students' level of learning differs. Results of the National Achievement Test (NAT) and periodical tests revealed that students have poor performance in Science 7. Teachers are finding possible ways on how to address the learning gaps, manage, and reach the adequate level of 21st century learners especially those with learning difficulties through conducting remedial classes. This is the reason for designing the "Simplified Work Activities" (SWA), to help students with learning difficulties, understand the lessons not learned in their regular class, to improve their scientific performance and to help teachers save time in looking for supplementary instructional materials for their remedial science class. The impact of using the SWA material for remedial science class was investigated.

METHODS

Quasi-experimental research design and descriptive method was used. There were ninety (90) Grade 7 student respondents under low performance level from three (3) participating schools in the Division of Calamba City for the analysis of the data mean and MPS. For the analysis of data regarding the significant difference between the pre-test and post-test, first, second, third, and fourth periodical test results, the Z-test was used at 5% level of significance since the sample population is more than thirty (30).

RESULTS

As a result, there was an increase of 29.27% in the got Mean Percentage Score (MPS) between the Pre-test and Post-test, 6.78% increase between the first and second periodical tests, 2.95% increase between the second and third periodical tests, and 4.05% increase between the third and fourth periodical tests. As with the significant difference of Pre-test and Post-test, the computed z-value was -19.52 less than the z-tabular value of -/+1.645 at significance level of α < 0.05 two-tailed test. The critical region tells us to reject the null hypothesis at the α =0.05 level if z<-1.645. Likewise, for the First and Second Periodical Tests, the computed z-value is -4.40 ; -1.95 between the Second and Third Periodical Tests; and -2.49 between the Third and Fourth Periodical Tests respectively.

DISCUSSIONS

Overall, there was a significant difference and increase in the result of Pre-test and Post-test given. This implied that the Simplified Work Activities (SWA) was an effective intervention material in improving students' scientific learning. Therefore, continuous utilization of the material was highly recommended and further studies may be conducted on it.