Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Utilization of Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) in Solving Word Problems Involving Systems of Linear Equations with Two Variables

Abstract

This quasi-experimental design with one group primarily focused on the utilization of Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) in solving word problems involving systems of linear equations in two variables banking on the ideals of Charles Wales’ guided discovery learning. The respondents were enrolled at Florentino Torres High School in the school year 2018-2019. After the discussion of all the competencies in the whole chapter of the topic Systems of Linear Equations in Two Variables, the group was given a 50-item summative test. From the result of the summative test, the least mastered skill was identified –solving systems of linear equations in two variables. After which, the group was given a Strategic Intervention Material(SIM) as a remediation tool which has been one of the finalists in Division-wide SIM contest for teachers, to cope with the least mastered skill. All the quantitative data gathered throughout the study were analyzed, tallied, and treated using mean, standard deviation, mean learning gain, and dependent t-test using SPSS. From the statistical method employed in the study, the summative and Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) mean scores of the group consisted of 46 respondents were 23.76 (good performance level) and 41.24 (very good performance level) with a standard deviation of 7.67 and 5.34 respectively. At the 5% significance level, thecomputed t-value of 12.38 was much higher than the tabular t-value of 2.01; hence, the null hypothesis was rejected. Therefore, there was a significant difference existed between the summative and the SIM test performances of the group. The mean learning gains of the group was 66.67%, which indicates the effectiveness of the Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) in solving word problems involving systems of linear equations in two variables. Upon completion of the study, the research proponent discovered the following: (1) There was a significant difference existed between the summative and the SIM test performances of the group; and (2) Through the lens of mean learning gains of this study, it can be deduced that the utilization of Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) is an effective intervention/remediation tool in dealing with the least mastered skill in Mathematics 8. It is recommended that teachers should give Strategic Intervention Material (SIM) a try as this intervention material has been proven effective in catering the least mastered skill in Mathematics.