Chapter 1

THE PROBLEM

This chapter presents the background of the study, the statements of

the problem, the assumptions, significance, scope and delimitation of the
study, and definition of terms.

Background of the Study

In Science Education today, there are a number of problems which
confront us in our search for a course to pursue. Regardless of how one looks
at the problems, it is apparent that the needs of children are not well served
by the study of rocks, trees, animals, magnets and electricity because these
are the areas of interest to the teacher, or because the curriculum guide says
this is what he will learn and what the teacher will teach. Nor are the needs
of the child served by what, in light of modern methodology, referred to as
the traditional science program, taught in the traditional manner. If we are to
meet the ever increasing demands of our modern scientific and technological
society in which our children live today and will be living in the future, then
change and innovative programs are necessary.
The new course of Elementary Science Education for children is being
served by the development of innovative programs and methodological
changes. The more development of innovative programs and the advocating

of changes in methodology are not enough. These must be translated into

classroom action. And in the midst of this action, are teachers and children.
What constitutes an innovative science program, and what is the
methodology of an innovative science program? In answering these
questions, one must examine the elementary science programs currently
available.
The composition of this program has been greatly influenced by the
findings of psychologists who are concerned with the study of childrens
learning and intellectually has been as much a concern to the developers of
these innovative science programs as the content children should study and
the concepts they should have knowledge of upon completion of these
programs.
We live in a world where there is much to be learned in all areas of
school curricula. It becomes evident that one must have an economy which
helps in the organization of this vast amount of knowledge. The teaching of
concepts provides such a system. Conceptualization serves the scientist, and
it is also a way to improve childrens learning.
The teacher serves as the prime mover of the educational wheel while
learners are the key participants in the learning process. Modern strategies
are aid to instruction they do not replace the teacher. These strategies in
teaching science serve as the channel between the teacher and pupils in
delivering the instructions. They may also serve as the motivation on the

teaching learning process because the pupils will be motivated to manipulate

these materials. This guide as to learn well, and it make the pupils more
clearly and interesting Instructional Materials enhance the effectiveness of
teaching strategy.
Modern strategies are important because with them learners have a
clear view of what is being taught and it make the class more realistic. These
are highly important for teaching, especially for inexperienced teachers.
Teachers relay on Modern Strategies in every aspect of teaching. They need
materials for background information on the subject they are teaching
because the teacher as limited background knowledge on the subject. Thats
why modern strategies can help provide background knowledge on the
subject the teacher is planning for the supplement their knowledge. It helps
teacher to teach well as to make her lesson clear and understandable to the
pupils. It is hard to imagine any teacher who is capable of teaching
effectively without the accompaniment of any teaching strategies. In
addition to this, any teacher who is deprive of modern strategies most likely
experiences stress and anxiety on a daily basis.
Science is the study of the natural world based on facts learned
through experiments and observation. With the proper use of suited
materials in teaching learning process will be effective and efficient. Modern
strategies use in teaching science are video clips, power point presentations,
tape recorders, trivia, hot news, modern gadgets such as laptop, over-head

projector, dvd player, mp3, cellphone, microscope, laboratory apparatus and

uses scientific calculators. It also consider the resources of the teacher in
teaching science. Teaching science is crucial and it needs to be aware of
modern strategies that suited to their interest, needs, and can retain their
retentively of the lesson.
Science is one of the major difficult subjects so we conducted their
study to determine the status of using Modern Strategies in teaching Science
in District I and II of Alaminos City Division.

Statement of the Problem

This study was conducted to determine the Modern Strategies Used by
the Science Teachers of District I and II of Alaminos City Division in Teaching
Science in the School Year 2015-2016. Specifically, it answered the following
sub-problems:
1. What is the profile of the respondents in terms of:
a. Age;
b. Sex
c. Degree/ Specialization;
d. No. of Years in Teaching; and
e. Position

2. What are the modern strategies used by the Science teachers in

District I and II in Alaminos City Division?

3. What is the level of usage of the modern teaching strategies used by

the Science teachers in District I and II of Alaminos City Division?

4. What are the problems encountered by the teachers in using the

modern

strategies

of

teaching

Science

and

their

degree

of

seriousness?
Objectives of the Study
Based on the statement of the problem, the following objectives are
formulated:
1. To determine the profile of the respondents is based on their age,
sex, degree/specialization, number of years in teaching and
2.

position;
To know the different strategies used by the Science teachers of

Alaminos City Central School in teaching Science;

3. To determine the level of usage of the strategies used by the
Science teachers of Alaminos City Central School in teaching
Science;
4. To determine the problems encountered by the teachers in teaching
Science and their degree of seriousness;
Assumptions of the Study
To get a clear understanding of the study, the following assumptions are
formulated by the researchers:

1. That the profile of the respondents is based on their age, sex,

degree/specialization, number of years in teaching and position;
2. That there are different strategies used by the Science teachers
of Alaminos City Central School in teaching Science;
3. That there is a level of usage of the strategies used by the
Science teachers of Alaminos City Central School in teaching
Science;
4. That there are problems encountered by the teachers in teaching
Science and their degree of seriousness;

Significance of Study
The result of this study will benefit the following:
Science Teacher. This will help them identify and sort out factors that
may or may not be considered in improving the teaching Science to their
students.
Students. They will gain more knowledge and skills as the result of
the strategies used by their Science Teachers.
Research Advisers. This will serve as a basis for selecting/choosing a
similar study or research.
Future researchers. This will serve as a basis for conducting a similar
study or research.

Scope and Delimitation

This study focused on the Modern Strategies Used by the Science
Teachers of District I and II of Alaminos City, Pangasinan in Teaching
Science. The respondents were the Science Teachers of District I and II of
Alaminos City Pangasinan comprised of 40 teachers broken down as follows:
District I, 10 from Alaminos Central School, 3 from Palamis Elementary
School, 7 from Popantay Elementary School, 5 from San Vicente Elementary
School, District II, 4 from Amandiego Elementary School, 4 from Bolaney
Elementary School, 7 from Alos Elementary School, who are teaching during
the School Year 2015-2016.
Definition of Terms
The following terms are defined theoretically and operationally as they
used in the study:
Strategy. It is defined as a careful plan and method for achieving a
Particular Goal.In this study, it refers to the methods of teaching
used by the science teachers.
Modern

Strategy.It

explains

the permanent

nature,

but

ever

changing character, of strategy in light of the whole strategic experience of

the twentieth century.
Students. It is defined as the individual who is enrolled or attends

classes at a school, college or university. In this study, it refers to the

learners who are also the key participants in the teaching and learning
process.
Teacher. It is defined as the person or thing that teaches something.
In this study, it refers to the person in the educational system who teaches
students the science subjects.
Teaching. Operationally, it is defined as the action of a person who
teaches; the profession of a teacher. In this study, it refers to the art of
imparting knowledge to the students.
Deductive Approach. It is the presentation of general role and is
followed by specific examples in which the rule is applied. In this study, it
refers to the approach in teaching grammar where the teacher presents the
general rule first before giving specific example and drills.
Science. It is the knowledge about or study of the natural world based
on facts learned through experiments and observation.
Proficiency. It refers to the high degree of competence, skill on
expertise. In this study, it is the ability to speak, read, perform task in
science.
Inductive Approach. It refers to the presentations of specific
examples first before giving the general rule. In this study, it refers to the

approach in teaching science where the teacher gives the students examples
and activity first to let the students discover the general rules.
Instructional Materials. It is defined as items that are designed to
serve as a major fool for assisting in the instruction of a subject or course. In
this study, it refers to the teaching aids used by the science teachers in the
teaching learning process.
Learning Style. It is an individual natural or habitual pattern of
acquiring and processing information in learning situations, A core concept is
that individuals differ in how they learn. In this study, it refers to the
students personal way of learning.
Modern Method. It refers to new teaching practices used by the
teacher. In this study, it refers to the teaching method where the learners are
actively involved, the activities are interactive and student-centered.
Traditional teaching method. It refers to the teaching method which
is concerned with the teacher being the controller of the learning
environment.
Technology. It is the science of technical process in a wide, through
related field of knowledge. It is also the practical application of science.
Learners. It refers to the key participants in the learning process.
Problems Encountered. In this study, these are the challenging
situations encountered by the teachers who are teaching science subject.

Teaching-Learning Process. This refers to the process of teaching or

the act by which the teacher shows the educational content (knowledge,
habits, skills) to a student within a context.