Professional Documents
Culture Documents
Abstract- The development and application of appropriate Curriculum Materials: Issues and Concerns
instructional materials is necessary. The gap in the availability
and utilization of appropriate instructional materials adhering to Different uses of the resource led to different opportunities for
Bruner’s Constructivism and Dale’s Cone of Experience makes student and teacher learning (Remillard and Bryans, 2004).
a misalignment in the K to 12 Curriculum, thus fails in Educative curriculum materials could help teachers learn how
achieving learning competencies and assessment procedures. to anticipate and interpret what learners may think about or do
To identify the needs with regards to instructional materials in response to instructional activities. Curriculum materials
production and utilization in the field of Grade VIII could (1) support teachers' learning of subject matter, (2) help
Mathematics, qualitative descriptive single-case study was teachers consider ways to relate units during the year, (3) make
done. An intensive interview through purposive sampling was a visual representation on the developers' pedagogical
conducted. Thematic process was used for data analysis. With judgments, and (4) promote teacher's pedagogical design
the monopoly of books and visual aids, that is, the use of chalk capacity, or his ability to use personal resources and the
board and manila paper, this research can provide alternative supports embedded in curriculum materials (i.e., the curricular
instructional materials relevant to the field of study to enhance resources) to adapt curriculum to achieve productive
learning experiences, facilitate activities and develop skills instructional ends (Davis and Krajcik, 2005; Awolaju, 2016).
necessary thus addressing the gap in the utilization of Indeed, classes utilizing standard-based intructional materials
appropriate instructional materials like ICT tools. perform better than with traditional programs (Harris et al.,
2001). Use of research-based instructional materials and
Key words- instructional materials, K to 12 curriculum, curriculum-professional development leads to better students’
descriptive single-case study, purposive sampling, Leyte, performance. These findings are supported by other researches
Philippines (August et al., 2014; Domitrovich et al., 2009 cited by Taylor
et al., 2015).
I. INTRODUCTION It is expected that these instructional materials are aligned to the
With the advent of the new curriculum, curriculum materials, new standards. Studies found out that there is curriculum
as resources, should provide relevant opportunities to students. misalignment in substantial areas like the textbooks (Polikoff,
However, the lack and unfamiliarity of newly designed 2015). Contextualized textbooks are important in solving
instructional materials makes it hard to achieve the context-based tasks however there is a need in improving the
mathematical vision. opportunities-to-learn to solve context-based tasks (Wjjaya,
van den Heuvel-Panhuizan, and Doorman, 2015). They provide
aid and support to students’ learning. But there is insufficient
evidence of the effectiveness of textbooks due to limitations on
contextualized experiences students can have (Elsaleh, 2010).
Furthermore, inadequate instructional materials and resources Delaney (2010) found out that visually-stimulating
available across subject areas is evident (Okobia, 2011). instructional materials give greater task interest to students with
low individual interest in math. Students who are highly
The Teachers’ Plight motivated to think deeply about the lecture perform better than
Designing instructional materials is one on the principles of less motivated counterparts (Bolkan, Goodboy, and Kelsey,
effective instruction (Astleitner, 2005). According to Saad and 2016). With regard to achieving learning outcomes with the use
Ibrahim (2017), instructional materials should be made of sophisticated calculators, schools have a difficulty in
available to schools, adequately supervised by principals, and providing such authentic experience. Students are expected to
efficiently utilized by the teacher for effective teaching and bring their own calculators (Banilower et al., 2013).
learning. Hoogyeld, Paas, and Jochems (2005) argue that Using Technology
teachers should undergo training to apply better an instructional
systems design methodology. Teachers’ use of instructional The K to 12 conceptual framework emphasized the use of
materials maybe influenced with their professional appropriate tools such as manipulative objects, measuring
development. It has been observed that common practices are devices, calculators and computers, smartphones and tablet
still evident, rarely the existence of dramatic change in PCs, and the Internet. According to Cayton-Hodges, Feng, and
instructional materials (Collopy, 2003). But Obara and Sloan Pan (2015), there are four areas to review in using Mathematics
(2010) found out that change in practice of teachers with regard apps designed for tablets, namely, the quality of mathematical
to new standards would be difficult to achieve. Even if there is content, feedback and scaffolding, richness of interactions, and
awareness and desire, teachers find it hard to embrace such adaptability of applications.
changes. However, Harsono (2015) emphasized that teachers
should develop his or her own teaching materials. Teachers Teaching is now confronted in designing instructional materials
should modify textbooks to suit activities for the target learners. with the use of technology to enhance learning (Kali,
Furthermore, the use of multiple materials in teaching McKenney, and Sagy, 2015). Digital educational materials can
mathematics is not evident. Teachers rely on single textbook provide activities in achieving better learning outcomes. It also
and program. Thus, exposure to various activities is hindered helps teachers in designing learning content and choosing
(Banilower et al., 2013). Some teachers tend to use effective materials (Chiu and Churchill, 2015). Computer-
manipulatives to enhance previous knowledge and disregard the assisted instruction programs are also effective in achieving
idea of using it to accommodate new learning (Banilower et al., learning outcomes. Schools using computer-assisted instruction
2013). It is important to take note that construction of programs have better educational attainments than those that
instructional materials should be influenced by the learning frequently use it (De Witte, Haelermans, and Rogge, 2015).
outcomes (Khalil and Elkhider, 2016). Electronic educational resources improve competitiveness of
students (Anisimova and Krasnova, 2015). Computer
The implementation of curricular tasks is influenced by the technology allowing bodily experiences of numerical concepts
teacher. Factors like content and pedagogical content with new motion sensitive input devices and tangible user
knowledge, years of experience, and years of implementing a interfaces combining benefits of physical manipulatives with
certain curriculum program would mediate the guidance offered digitally provided symbolic information can help achieve
to teachers in instructional materials (Styliandes, 2008). Also, numerical and arithmetical competencies (Moeller et al., 2015).
mathematical knowledge for teaching and instructional Study shows that publisher-generated educational resources
materials are mediators for instructional quality. Instructional with instructor-generated video lectures improve students’
materials can reinforce learning that is engaging students in performance (Hegeman, 2015). Video-based instructional
mathematical thinking and reasoning. Also, it could help low materials were more effective than the print-based instructional
performing teachers in delivering high-quality instruction (Hill materials in equipping the distance learners with practical skills
and Charalambous, 2012). and craftsmanship (Donkor, 2010). Arbain and Shukor (2015)
found out that the use of GeoGebra software on Mathematics
Teachers are bombarded with different things to consider for learning is effective. It provides positive perception towards
classroom activities and addressing students’ needs and learning. Furthermore, students show better learning
interest. It is then necessary to improve content and pedagogy achievement. And, there is higher motivational effect of Iphone
by studying textbooks and teacher’s guide and consulting peers games than classroom lessons. With regards to motivational
for improvement that is following the curriculum design. outcomes, children found Iphone games more satisfying than
However, students’ ideas are being neglected if teachers will be classroom lessons. With this, digital games could be a tool to
following the chains in the teacher’s guides in their work reinforce student’s learning (Furió et al.,2015).
(Hemmi et al., 2013).
The Research Problem
What about the students
This research is a qualitative descriptive single-case study
Taylor et al. (2015) found out that teaching practice can be (Baxter and Jack, 2008). The researchers would like to answer
improved by educative, research-based instructional materials the question, “What are the issues and concerns with regard to
aligned with curriculum-based professional development. instructional materials production and utilization in the field of
Teaching practice is associated with the inherent features of Grade VIII Mathematics in the K to 12 Enhanced Basic
instructional materials for students. Matarazzo, Durik, and Education Program?” It is necessary that the development and
utilization of instructional materials should be aligned with the and developing interventions (Baxter and Jack, 2008; Yin,
conceptual framework of the curriculum. It should carter the 2011; Yin, 2017).
twin goals of mathematics education- critical thinking and
problem-solving. Data Collection
“I have failed students. But what can I do? I only use manila “…that’s it…we don’t have rest…supposedly we can make
papers with decorations…”(P1, L16, P5) better instructional materials.”(P1, L14, P12)
Also, the teacher is restricted with lecture-discussion. This only “I only use manila papers with decorations. That’s my only
implies students are restricted. The learning experience of way. Yes. But chalk, chalk, chalk board if not.”(P1, L16, P3)
students can be greatly enhanced by introducing varied methods
that complement learning materials and students’ participation “Dear! If just know...Statistics is my undergrad. I had
(Badenhorst, 2006). supplemental teaching. I do not know about SPSS…”(P1, L13,
P11)
“I use lecture-discussion most of the time…”(P1, L8, P8)
“Is it Geogebra you use in making a test? Basta! In making
“…if I will not discuss, I will be wasting my time. test..”(P1, L21, P11)
Right?...”(P1, L24, P10)
Theme 3: Scarcity of resources
Using thematic analysis (Braun and Clarke, 2006), the
researchers enumerated the following themes:
“I had eighty students per class during the first few months. “The books are with me so we can have one-is-to-one.”(P1, L8,
Now, more than forty students are schooling.”(P1, L5, P5) P10)
Theme 2: Personal Factor “…each student should have one computer so that they will be
solving there…” (P1, L6, P8)
“We are asking for additional teachers. I don’t know why still
we don’t have. They promised us that next school year they will
open items.” (P1, L22, P5)
Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (1993). How to Molenda, M. (2003). Cone of experience. Educational
design and evaluate research in education (Vol. 7). technology: An encyclopedia.
New York: McGraw-Hill.
Oakes, J., & Saunders, M. (2004). Education's Most Basic
Furió, D., Juan, M. C., Seguí, I., & Vivó, R. (2015). Mobile Tools: Access to Textbooks and Instructional
learning vs. traditional classroom lessons: a Materials in California's Public Schools. Teachers
comparative study. Journal of Computer Assisted College Record.
Learning, 31(3), 189-201.
Obara, S., & Sloan, M. (2010). Classroom experiences with
Harris, K., Marcus, R., McLaren, K., & Fey, J. (2001). new curriculum materials during the implementation
Curriculum Materials Supporting Problem‐Based of performance standards in mathematics: A case
Teaching. School Science and Mathematics, 101(6), study of teachers coping with change. International
310-318. Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 8(2),
349-372.
Harsono, Y. M. (2015). Developing learning materials for
specific purposes. Teflin Journal, 18(2), 169-179. Okobia, E. O. (2011). Availability and teachers’ use of
instructional materials and resources in the
Hegeman, J. S. (2015). Using Instructor-Generated Video implementation of social studies in junior secondary
Lectures in Online Mathematics Courses Improves schools in Edo State, Nigeria. Review of European
Student Learning. Online Learning, 19(3), 70-87. Studies, 3(2), 90.
Hemmi, K., Koljonen, T., Hoelgaard, L., Ahl, L., & Ryve, A. Polikoff, M. S. (2015). How well aligned are textbooks to the
(2013). Analyzing mathematics curriculum materials common core standards in mathematics?. American
in Sweden and Finland: Developing an analytical Educational Research Journal, 52(6), 1185-1211.
tool. In Proceedings of the Eighth Congress of the
European Society for Research in Mathematics Remillard, J. T., & Bryans, M. B. (2004). Teachers'
Education. Antalya, Turkey. Feb 6th-Feb 10th. orientations toward mathematics curriculum
materials: Implications for teacher learning. Journal
Hill, H. C., & Charalambous, C. Y. (2012). Teacher for research in mathematics education, 352-388.
knowledge, curriculum materials, and quality of Saad, K. M., & Ibrahim, U. (2017).
instruction: Lessons learned and open issues. Journal PRINCIPALS’SUPERVISION OF
of Curriculum Studies, 44(4), 559-576. TEACHERS’USE OF INSTRUCTIONAL
MATERIALS IN TEACHING ECONOMICS IN
Hoogveld, A. W., Paas, F., & Jochems, W. M. (2005). SECONDARY SCHOOLS IN GOMBE. ATBU
Training higher education teachers for instructional Journal of Science, Technology and Education, 4(4),
design of competency-based education: Product- 174-182.
oriented versus process-oriented worked
Stylianides, G. J. (2008). Investigating the guidance offered to Yin, R. K. (2011). Applications of case study research. Sage.
teachers in curriculum materials: The case of proof in
mathematics. International Journal of Science and Yin, R. K. (2017). Case study research and applications:
Mathematics Education, 6(1), 191-215. Design and methods. Sage publications.