Effectiveness of Subject Courseware in Teaching Araling Panlipunan for Grade 8 Students in Tanay National High School

Abstract

The study aimed to determine the level of effectiveness of subject courseware in teaching Araling Panlipunan to Grade 8 students at Tanay National High School, Tanay Sub-Office, Division of Rizal during the School Year 2024–2025. The respondents of the study were the 42 Ggade 8 students from the said school. They were described in terms of sex, sibling position, number of children in the family, monthly family income, parents’ educational attainment, and parents’ occupation. They were exposed to the subject courseware in the teaching of Araling Panlipunan. A pretest was administered at the beginning of the study, and a posttest was given at the end of the experiment. The experimental research method employing a single-group design was used, as the students’ test scores were scientifically gathered to determine the level of effectiveness of the subject courseware in teaching Araling Panlipunan. The respondents were chosen using a purposive sampling technique. The study found out that : There is an equal number of male and female students. Most of them are second-born and only children in their families, belonging to the income bracket of ?30,000 and above, with parents who are high school graduates or college undergraduates, and are either self-employed or government employees. The performance of the Grade 8 students in Araling Panlipunan was interpreted as Did Not Meet Expectations in their pretest results and Outstanding in their posttest results. There is a significant difference on the level of performance in Araling Panlipunan of the Grade 8 students before and after exposure to subject courseware as revealed by their pretest and posttest results. There is no significant difference on the level of performance in Araling Panlipunan of the grade 8 students after exposure to subject courseware as revealed by their posttest results in terms of their sex, sibling position, number of children in the family, monthly family income, parents’ educational attainment, and parents’ occupation. The study concluded that : Performance in Araling Panlipunan of the grade 8 students improved after exposure to subject courseware. Sex, sibling position, number of children in the family, monthly family income, parents’ educational attainment, and parents’ occupation are not contributory on the level of performance in Araling Panlipunan of the grade 8 students after their exposure to subject courseware. The study recommended that : School administrators may consider having continuous professional development programs provided to train teachers in effectively implementing and maximizing the use of subject courseware in classroom instruction. School administrators may consider having regular assessment and evaluation of student outcomes should be conducted to monitor the long-term effectiveness of courseware and identify areas for improvement. Teachers may consistently use courseware as a supplementary tool alongside traditional teaching methods to cater to diverse learning styles and ensure better understanding of concepts. Teachers may continue to use inclusive teaching strategies, such as courseware, to bridge learning gaps and promote equity among students. Students may take full advantage of the subject courseware by exploring its features, engaging with interactive content, and revisiting lessons to reinforce learning. Students may regularly assess their own progress by reviewing their scores and performance in activities, identifying areas for improvement, and making necessary study adjustments. The proposed action plan is recommended for implementation. Further studies on the effectiveness of subject courseware in teaching Araling Panlipunan using other variables may be conducted.

Introduction

The text emphasizes the growing importance of integrating information and communication technologies (ICT) into education to enhance teaching and learning, particularly in response to the demands of 21st-century learners. Education is viewed not only as the transmission of knowledge but as a process of discovery and meaningful experience. In line with the 1987 Philippine Constitution and Department of Education (DepEd) policies, the Philippine education system promotes continuous reform and the use of technology to ensure relevant, accessible, and quality education for all learners.

The K to 12 curriculum supports the use of modern technological tools to develop functional literacy, critical thinking, and lifelong learning skills. Subject courseware—digital instructional materials using multimedia such as videos, simulations, and interactive content—has transformed traditional teaching methods into more student-centered approaches. In subjects like Araling Panlipunan, which covers complex topics such as history, governance, and culture, courseware enhances engagement, understanding, and critical thinking by catering to diverse learning styles and pacing.

Grounded in John Dewey’s Theory of Cognitive Development and experiential learning, the study views courseware as a tool that promotes “learning by doing,” allowing students to connect new knowledge with prior experiences. Using Coombs’ Systems Approach, the research examines inputs (student profiles and pretests), processes (courseware implementation and testing), and outputs (improved student performance and an action plan).

The study focuses on Grade 8 students at Tanay National High School during the School Year 2024–2025, using a single-group experimental design with pretests and posttests to measure the effectiveness of subject courseware in Araling Panlipunan. It aims to determine whether courseware significantly improves student performance and whether outcomes differ based on demographic factors.

The text also reviews related foreign studies, which consistently show that multimedia and digital courseware improve student achievement, retention, satisfaction, and engagement by supporting different learning styles, blended learning models, and collaborative learning. Overall, the study highlights that effective integration of subject courseware enhances learning outcomes, supports differentiated instruction, and prepares students with skills necessary for future academic and professional success, while also underscoring the need to address resource inequalities in schools.

Conclusion

Based on the findings, the following conclusions are drawn: 1) Performance in Araling Panlipunan of the grade 8 students improved after exposure to subject courseware. 2) Sex, sibling position, number of children in the family, monthly family income, parents’ educational attainment, and parents’ occupation are not contributory on the level of performance in Araling Panlipunan of the grade 8 students after their exposure to subject courseware.

References

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Copyright

Copyright © 2025 Rose Anne P. Malto, Prof. Ruby S. San Juan . This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.