Rosmin's Action Research Proposal

INCREASING THE LEVEL OF PERFORMANCE OF GRADE VI PUPILS IN SCIENCE THROUGH INTENSIVE HANDS ON LEARNING

I.                INTRODUCTION

          The level of performance of the pupils mirrors the success of the teaching learning process of the learners. Thus, their performances directly tell the strengths and weaknesses of the teacher’s and curriculum competencies. Science competencies at present is directed more of the exposure of the learners to hands on activities and inquiry skills. Learning through experience has greater impact among the pupils as they gain knowledge in Science. Through self exposure, they adopt skills.

          There is apparent decline in basic skills among Grade VI pupils of San Juan Elementary   School. The low level of performance in Science class is very evident because of less exposure to hands on activities. Group assessment shows that twelve (12) out of 43 pupils are confident in following directions in instructional sheets leading to failure in formative tests among others. The rest found it hard to analyze the questions for comprehension, reasoning, judgment and synthesis. Thus, this poor performance directly affects their achievement in Science. In addition to this, pupils are found to have poor development of science process skills and Science content. Thirty six percent (36%) of the class participate actively during the activities and class recitation while sixty four percent (64%) are passive in answering activity questions though they know the answers to my questions. Instead of oral participation, they will wait for their classmates’ answers. Based on the first periodical tests, the class got the mean percentage (M) of 30.14 with the mean percentage score (MPS) of 60.28%. This result shows that their class participation is restricted.

          It is based on the above problem, that I, as Grade Six Adviser and Science Teacher, aim to increase the level of  performance in formative and periodical tests which will lead to increase in this year’s National Achievement Test result of grade six in San Juan Elementary School. At the same time, they will be exposed to different tasks in hands on activities and inquiry skills.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

          Poor performance in hands on activities among Grade Six pupils of San Juan Elementary School, Alaminos, Laguna is the primary concern of this research.

POSSIBLE CAUSES OF THE PROBLEM

          The problems above are observed based on the following concerns:

·       Less exposure to hands on activities

·       Lack of Science apparatus/ materials

·       Inadequate time for the execution of hands on activities

GENERATION OF ALTERNATIVE SOLUTIONS

    In connection with the situation stated, the following are the alternative solutions to solve the problems:

1.     Regular exposure to hands on activities

2.     Provision of improvised apparatus or materials

3.     Allotment of adequate time for hands on activities execution

II. REVIEW OF RELATED LITERATURE

Hands-on learning is learning by doing. To even imply that it is a fad is to ignore what has been taking place in education, both formal and informal, for years. Vocational education has always understood that if you want someone to learn to repair an automobile, you need an automobile to repair. If you want to teach someone to cook, you put them in a kitchen. Whoever heard of teaching someone to swim in a traditional classroom? Likewise, I do believe we are learning that in order to truly teach science, we must "do" science (Jeff G. Brodie, 2000). In line with the hands on experience, I consider this statement from Brodie as a factor that can contribute for the enhancement of my pupils’ ability to think critically. My pupils could have a chance to plan a process to test a hypothesis, put the process into motion using various hands-on materials, see the process to completion, and then be able to explain the attained results.

    The benefits of hands-on-learning in my school revolves around those children who are either not as academically "talented" or have not shown "interest" in school. This method tends to stimulate these type of students into participating and eventually absorbing information that I believe they would not get from "normal" show-me - tell-me methods. Marv Hougland, seventh and eighth grade teacher, Clearview School, Lorain, OH( Updated on October 8, 2013). Since the primary concerns of this action research   are the hands on activities, this excerpt quoted by Hougland supports my objective of increasing the level of performance of Grade Six pupils.

In a peruse carried out by Owolabi (2004) on a diagnosis of students’ difficulties in Physics, he revealed that bad performance of students in Physics could have emanated from student’s lack of plump concept of Physics concepts Aiyelabegan (2003) identified attitude, reach of students and teacher to Physics, inadequacy of practical equipment, unconducive environment and lack of estimable hands to handle practical works as factors affecting student performance in Physics. This is related to my research when it comes to class participation of my Grade Six pupils in Science. These are the evidences that my pupils are not exempted in experiencing difficulties in performing the assigned tasks in individual and  group activities.

According to Doğan (2010), Science teachers experienced that they did not have adequate time for all activities. The findings were parallel to those of this study. The teachers in Doğan’s study also stressed shortage of time by saying that “implementing various activities in the classroom takes too much time”. This opinion is related to my research problem as we encounter conflicts in managing our time during hands on activities.

Meanwhile, Bozdoğan and Yalçın (2001) stated that teachers’ opinions about implementing the activities in the science and technology course mentioned a problem stemming from lack of materials. They also reported that there were teacher complaints about lack of materials. Thus, it can be seen that the issues of lack of materials still remain over the years as primary problems.  As a Science teacher, lack of equipment to be used greatly affects the success of my pupils’ activities. Actual progress of the experiment is not exactly achieved through its limited materials.

CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK

          INPUT                                                          PROCESS                        OUTPUT

      Test Results                                                     *LEACHES                           *Increase in                                                                                                                               MPS    in                                                                                                                                  Formative   /

                                                                                                                          Summative Test

                                                                                                                          by 75%

                                                                                     

      Performance Level of Pupils in Science          *Lessons Applied

                                                                               through hands on 

                                                                               activities

                                                                              *Pre Test and

                                                                               Post Test

                                                                               *Rubrics

                                                                              *Data Analysis

                                                                              *Formative/

                                                                              *Summative Test

 

III.METHODOLOGY AND RESEARCH DESIGN

A.    THE PLAN OF ACTION

The main purpose of this action research is to increase the level of performance of Grade VI pupils in Science through hands on activities.

Specifically, it aims the following:

1.     To improve the pupils’ performance through exposure to hands on activities

2.     To provide improvised apparatus and materials during hands on activities

3.     To execute hands on activities with adequate time

B.    Time Frame

This research work will be implemented for one quarter, September to November during the School Year 2014-2015.

C.    Target Subjects

This action research is intended for fourty-three (43) Grade Six pupils of San Juan Elementary School, Alaminos, Laguna during the academic year 2014-2015.

D.    Activities to be Undertaken

In line with the specific objectives enumerated in this study, here are the activities to be undertaken by the teacher:

1. To improve the pupils’ performance through exposure to hands on activities

          a. Conduct of regular group activities

          b. Implementation of intervention LEACHEs (Learn

              Concepts through Hands on Experiences)

2. To provide improvised apparatus and materials during hands on activities

          a. Advance preparation of Science apparatus or materials to be used

          b. Production of improvised Science apparatus or materials to be used

3. To execute hands on activities with adequate time

          a. Observing time management

         

TARGET DATE	PERSONS INVOLVED	ACTION TAKEN	EXPECTED RESULTS
September to November, 2014	·       District Supervisor ·       Guidance Counselor ·       Class Adviser ·       School Head ·       District Principal Coordinator in Science ·       Concerned Parents ·       Grade Six pupils	-Utilization of Time Table -Empowering group studies -Production of improvised apparatus and materials	-Pupils will improve their formative and periodical test results. - Pupils increase their academic performance through the implementation of activities undertaken

E. Research Design

          The following are the activities to be conducted to realize the objectives posted in this study.

ACTIVITIES	DATA TO BE COLLECTED	DATA ANALYSIS/ STATISTICAL TREATMENT
-Hands on Activities	-Result of formative and periodical tests	Weighted Mean
-Group studies and activities	-Performance Card -Rubrics -Pupil’s insights, reflections and self-assessment	Percentage Weighted Mean
-Production of improvised apparatus and materials	-Result of formative and periodical tests	Percentage Weighted Mean