Southeast Asian Journal of Agriculture and Allied Sciences

Improving Grade 5 Learners’ Reading Comprehension Skills through TechPlay Fusion Strategy

2024-07-26T09:11:13+08:00

The Grade 5 Philippine Informal Reading Inventory Assessment conducted in 2023 revealed that out of a population of 204 learners, 61 were categorized as experiencing frustration, as they showed withdrawal from reading situations by refusing to read. These results clearly demonstrate the extent to which learners in the Philippines struggle with reading comprehension. Through this, the researchers conducted this research to be part of the solution regarding reading comprehension of Grade 5 learners. The present study employed quasi-experimental quantitative research design to improve the reading comprehension skills of Grade 5 learners in an elementary school through the TechPlay Fusion strategy - a dynamic teaching approach that blends technology and interactive games to make reading more engaging, and help students improve comprehension, vocabulary, and retention. The respondents were two regular sections of the Grade 5 learners who agreed to attend the face-to-face classes during the third quarter of the school year 2023-2024. Based on the findings, Grade 5 learners attained satisfactory pre-test scores with a difference mean of 1.83, while the post test score went one step higher, from "Satisfactory" to “Very Satisfactory" ratings with a mean difference of 2.41. Based on the significant findings of the study, the strategy is an effective, useful and relevant strategy in improving the Grade 5 learners’ reading comprehension. The TechPlay Fusion Strategy assists not only the learners’ comprehension but also the learners’ vocabulary and retention.

Mobile Application in Developing Reading Skills among Kindergarten Learners

2024-07-19T08:33:39+08:00

The study used the CVC 3-Letter Words and Phonics application to enhance reading skills among kindergarten learners. Using a pretest-posttest quasi-experimental design, the study was conducted at Nalsian Elementary School in Bayambang, Pangasinan, Philippines. Specifically, it involved 21 kindergarten learners enrolled at this school during the 2023-2024 school year. The research examined 21 kindergarten students in the Philippines. A questionnaire was used to gather data on learners' profiles, while a researcher-made reading test assessed reading levels before and after exposure to interactive applications. The study revealed that interactive applications had a statistically significant positive impact on learners' reading skills, as evidenced by a Wilcoxon signed-rank test (Z = -4.019, p < 0.001). Before the intervention, 81% of learners were assessed as "full refresher," while after, 81% were "grade ready." The gain in reading levels was not significantly associated with learners' demographic and home environment variables, suggesting that interactive applications can benefit all learners regardless of factors such as gender, availability of reading materials at home, parents' educational attainment, internet connection status, and electronic gadgets used in the household. The gain in reading levels was not significantly associated with learners' profile variables, suggesting that interactive applications can benefit all learners regardless of background. Mean scores increased from 8.81 (SD=4.96) before intervention to 18.57 (SD=2.68) after intervention. Interactive applications offer engaging, multimodal experiences. The study's limitations include a small sample size and the use of an intact class from a single school. Future research should explicitly state in the abstract the inclusion of control groups and larger sample sizes to validate the effectiveness of interactive applications in developing reading skills among young learners. The results can inform the design and implementation of reading interventions that leverage these applications to support kindergarteners' success.

Utilizing Nearpod Application to Enhance Grade 8 Learners’ Integrated Science Process Skills

2024-10-04T08:45:33+08:00

In recent years, the pressing issue of the low performance of learners in science has addressed the need for innovative teaching strategies to motivate and help them intrinsically embrace essential scientific concepts. The demands of 21st-century education continuously challenge science teachers to explore more technology-driven solutions. This action research explored the effectiveness of the implementation of the Nearpod application in improving the Integrated Science Process Skills (ISPS) of grade 8 learners during the school year 2023-2024. The research employed a quantitative approach in processing all the data gathered. Nearpod was systematically integrated into Science 8 classes, with features like Collaborative Board and Immersive Reader being used regularly in weekly lessons. Learners participated in interactive activities, such as using the Collaborative Board for group discussions and engaging with immersive virtual reality experiences to elicit prior knowledge. Formative assessments were conducted through Nearpod’s Poll and Draw It features, providing immediate feedback to learners and the Time to Climb feature was used to gamify review sessions. Findings indicate a significant improvement in learners' performance after exposure to the application. The mean score in the post-test of the experimental group is higher (M=16.5, SD=1.48) than the post-test of the control group (M=11.78, SD=1.34) t=8.97 (p=0.000). This finding was further supported by the quantitative data from questionnaires using a Likert scale elaborating on positive experiences and perceptions of learners regarding the integration of Nearpod. Learners appreciate well the structured approach of the Nearpod including focused instruction, guided practice, collaborative learning, and independent application. Using interactive tools in the classrooms improves the learners’ overall performance. As digital natives, the learners can relate well to the lessons through the regulated use of gadgets as supplementary materials that enrich their learning environment. As suggested, it would be beneficial to look into how this technology integration strategy can also be applied in different schools that value the inevitable advancement of technology that, in turn, influences the teaching and learning process with an extended study timeframe to gauge its lasting impacts.

Assessment of the Use and Determinants of Adoption of PICS Bag Technology among Grain Merchants in Dawanau Market, Kano State

2024-11-12T08:40:51+08:00

Postharvest management of agricultural produce presents a considerable difficulty in developing countries like Nigeria. Staple crops of economic importance, including rice, wheat, cowpea, maize, and wheat, are prone to losses, primarily owing to insect pests at storage. The current study assessed the use and determinants of adoption of Purdue Improve Crop Storage bag (PICS) Technology among grain merchants in Dawanau market, Kano state. Multi-stage sampling techniques were used for the study. A total of 80 merchants were sampled. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics, logistic model and garrets ranking techniques. The result revealed that the merchants are above economically active age, with household size beyond the national average and quit years of experience. Also, the result shows that majority (95%) are aware of PICS bag. The determinants of PICS bag technology indicated that age, household size, membership and extension contact are statistically significant in the adoption with R-square value of 0.45. The result further indicates that 46% of the merchants had never utilized the PICS bag technology due to the high cost of the technology. Garret ranking indicates inadequate finance and high cost of the PICS bag as the major constrained to the adoption and used of PICS bag technology among the merchants. The study, therefore, recommends that the government at all levels should play an important role by subsidizing or offering financial incentives to lower the cost of PICS bags. Additionally, NSPRI should create a feedback system where merchants can share their experiences, challenges, and suggestions regarding PICS bags. Lastly, targeted awareness campaigns should be initiated to inform merchants about the advantages of using PICS bags, particularly their effectiveness in reducing post-harvest losses.

Enhancing Reading Fluency: Repeated Reading of Researcher Made-Localized Materials

2024-11-12T08:42:55+08:00

The ability to read fluently and effectively is one of the keys to opening doors to educational success. Although the importance of fluent reading has been taught to learners at school, there are still many students who are having difficulty reading fluently. To address the problem stated, researchers of this study used four (4) researcher-made localized materials, which are repeatedly taught. This study utilized the multiphase mixed method research design to determine the effect of the intervention program on the reading fluency of the students. It was conducted to determine the struggling readers of 11th-grade HUMSS students at John J. Russell Memorial High School. The researchers conducted pre-assessment reading and determined 35 readers who subsequently served as the participants. After the intervention program, it was observed that the participants attained higher Word Correct Per Minute (WCPM) in their post-test. The pre-test recorded mean score was 116.97 WCPM, while the post-test recorded mean was 139.66 WCPM. The p-value of the data set is (p < 0.001), which denotes that the difference between the results of the pretest and posttest is highly significant. This was also further strengthened by the feedback obtained from the students through a guided interview. Based on the participants’ statements, repeated reading of researcher-made localized materials has improved their reading speed and their reading accuracy.