Study-Buddy System: An Alternative Pedagogical Approach to Improve Learners&rsquo; Performance in Teaching Science

Soceline  N. Batisla-ong,; Sharon  D. Boanerjes-Libo-on,

Study-Buddy System: An Alternative Pedagogical Approach to Improve Learners’ Performance in Teaching Science

Sharon D.C. Boanerjes-Libo-on | Soceline N. Batisla-ong

Discipline: Education

Abstract:

The quasi-experimental research method was conducted to determine the effectiveness of the study-buddy system in the Science performance of learners with learning difficulties at Banate National High School for the Academic Year 2019-2020. The subjects were sixty (60) Grade 7 learners with learning difficulties exposed to the study-buddy system and conventional approach. They were randomly distributed into the control and experimental groups, respectively. The Science performance of the subjects was determined from their scores in the validated researcher-made test. Quantitative data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) as the mean and standard deviation for descriptive statistics. At the same time, the sign test and Mann-Whitney U test were utilized for inferential statistics. Qualitative data were gathered from students' reflections, "Tutor" insight, and teacher observation. Results revealed that the level of Science Performance of both the Control and Experimental Groups was described as "poor." In contrast, after the intervention, the level of science performance of the experimental group was described as "very satisfactory," and the Control Group was "fair." Further, a comparison before the intervention shows "no significant difference existed between the Control Group and Experimental Group, but after the intervention, the Experimental Group has significantly better Science Performance than the Control Group. It also revealed that the Experimental Group's learning gains were significantly better than the Control Group's. Therefore, it implies that the Study-Buddy System is better than the conventional approach for learners with learning difficulties regarding their Science Performance.

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