Evaluation of Instructional Materials in Teaching Social Studies and its Relations to Students’ Performance

Abstract

INTRODUCTION

The study aims to evaluate instructional materials used in Social Studies learning. The results of the evaluation have shown correlation to students’ performance in the third quarterly test of Social Studies. Likewise, the usefulness of administrative support services and school facilities such as the library, laboratories, and learning centers have also shown correlation to the third quarterly test with the following parts: analysis; understanding; and knowledge using Pearson’s-r as the main statistical tool.

METHODS

The study involved 205 Grade 8 respondents. The areas of instructional materials that were evaluated and correlated to third periodical test with analysis, understanding, and knowledge parts were the objectives, contents, accessibility, assessment, presentation and instructional design. The respondents rated the items in all these areas to be highly evident.

RESULTS

Such results were said to be related only to the performance of students in the analysis part of their third quarterly test. However, the results of the evaluation in the assessment and instructional design parts ofthe IMs were not related to the performance of the respondents to any part of the said quarterly test. In addition, the perception of the respondents with regards to the library facilities of the school showed that they found them useful and it was significantly related to their performance in the understanding and knowledge part of the quarterly test.Moreover, the respondents perceived that laboratories were useful and were significantly related to their performance in all parts of the quarterly test.

DISCUSSIONS

The study recommended the following: 1.) include a more diverse population who will participate in the future study of the same nature; 2.) maintain or sustain more the important features of instructional materials being asked in Social Studies learning; 3.) maintain the useful activities and services being provided in the library, laboratories, and learning centers inside the school, 4.) maintain or sustain more the administrative support given by the school; 5.) maintain or sustain the learning mechanism being done in Social Studies teaching in support to better performance in the subject; 6.) modify/localize instructional materials in support to understanding and gaining more knowledge in Social Studies learning; 7.) improve other aspects of school facilities to cater all facets of understanding in Social Studies learning; and 8.) provide more meaningful administrative support to students.