ASSESSMENT ON THE LEVEL OF EFFECTIVENESS OF INQUIRY-BASED LEARNING APPROACH TO ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE OF GRADE 3 STUDENTS

Abstract

Inquiry-based learning (IBL) is an active teaching strategy that centers on student engagement, encouraging learners to ask questions, investigate, and connect classroom knowledge with real-world scenarios. By focusing on in-depth research and analysis, this approach helps students explore complex issues and gain knowledge through experience. Rodriguez et al. (2019) highlight that IBL fosters the development of higher-order skills, such as critical thinking, introspection, and independent research, which contribute to students' intellectual growth and personal responsibility for their learning. Overall, inquiry-based learning enhances students' maturity, problem-solving abilities, and their capacity to think critically about the world around them. The researchers employed a quantitative approach utilizing a correlational research design. Purposive sampling was used to select 30 Grade 3 teachers from Kalayaan Elementary School as the study's respondents. A survey questionnaire was developed to gather the necessary data. The data were analyzed using statistical tools such as mean, percentage, rank, weighted mean, average mean, and Pearson r to assess relationships and patterns within the data. The results of the study demonstrated that inquiry-based learning is highly effective for Grade 3 students across various domains. In terms of cognitive development, the approach received a composite weighted mean of 4.58, which corresponds to "strongly agree." For affective development, the composite weighted mean was 4.69, also reflecting a "strongly agree" rating. Regarding psychomotor development, the approach earned a composite weighted mean of 4.60, again categorized as "strongly agree."  Furthermore, the study identified a significant relationship between student engagement and the effects of the inquiry-based learning approach across all three domains: cognitive, affective, and psychomotor. Based on these findings, the researchers recommended the implementation of an improvement plan for teachers, aimed at enhancing the effectiveness of the inquiry-based learning approach and better assessing student outcomes. The researchers recognized that the inquiry-based learning approach plays a crucial role in assessing students' behavior, engagement in experiential learning, and fostering their creativity. They also found a significant relationship between student engagement and the effects of the inquiry-based learning approach. This aligns with the insights presented in Murdoch's 2019 work. Additionally, the study revealed that students effectively utilized the assessment to evaluate the impact of the inquiry-based learning approach on their academic performance, particularly among Grade 3 students.