Science and Mathematics Instruction in the Philippines
SCIENCE AND MATHEMATICS INSTRUCTION IN PHILIPPINE EDUCATION CURRICULUM
Alazada, Noreen Dianne Sanga
Bachelor of Science in Development Communication
Education 102 Section U
March 17, 2011
INTRODUCTION When the researcher entered the College of Development Communication two years ago, there are many instances that the decline in the proficiency of Filipino students in Mathematics and Science examinations all over the countries in Asia was mentioned by the professors. “Filipino students have low level of scientific and mathematics literacy. A large percentage cannot apply concepts to real life.” (UP NISMED Scientific, Technological, and Environmental Literacy Study, 2005). Further in this paper, the goals and objectives of Mathematics and Science teaching will be discussed. What has been a former forte of Filipino youth then was not much of an excellent subject for the youth of today because of this decline in the result of nationwide literacy exams on Mathematics and Science. It is no doubt that there are students who have difficulty in these two subjects, even the researcher for herself have problems understanding Mathematics subjects like Algebra and Geometry but excels more on Science subjects like Biology and other Natural Science subjects. Now let us look into what is the importance of Science and Mathematics in the curriculum of the Philippine Education System, the goals and specific objectives, how can these subjects be learned in other settings not just in the school, and other instructional materials that can be utilized to enrich the teaching of Mathematics and Science. First let us define what Mathematics is, according to the Book of Popular Science (2005): it came from the Greek word “mathemata” meaning things that are learned, it is mentioned in the book that this may not seem to apply just to Mathematics but to other fields of knowledge. The reason for this is that Mathematics, the study of numbers and space in the time of Greeks also included
Alazada, Noreen Dianne Sanga
Bachelor of Science in Development Communication
Education 102 Section U
March 17, 2011
INTRODUCTION When the researcher entered the College of Development Communication two years ago, there are many instances that the decline in the proficiency of Filipino students in Mathematics and Science examinations all over the countries in Asia was mentioned by the professors. “Filipino students have low level of scientific and mathematics literacy. A large percentage cannot apply concepts to real life.” (UP NISMED Scientific, Technological, and Environmental Literacy Study, 2005). Further in this paper, the goals and objectives of Mathematics and Science teaching will be discussed. What has been a former forte of Filipino youth then was not much of an excellent subject for the youth of today because of this decline in the result of nationwide literacy exams on Mathematics and Science. It is no doubt that there are students who have difficulty in these two subjects, even the researcher for herself have problems understanding Mathematics subjects like Algebra and Geometry but excels more on Science subjects like Biology and other Natural Science subjects. Now let us look into what is the importance of Science and Mathematics in the curriculum of the Philippine Education System, the goals and specific objectives, how can these subjects be learned in other settings not just in the school, and other instructional materials that can be utilized to enrich the teaching of Mathematics and Science. First let us define what Mathematics is, according to the Book of Popular Science (2005): it came from the Greek word “mathemata” meaning things that are learned, it is mentioned in the book that this may not seem to apply just to Mathematics but to other fields of knowledge. The reason for this is that Mathematics, the study of numbers and space in the time of Greeks also included
Bibliography: Corpuz, B. B., Salandanan, G. G., Rigor, D. V. (ND). Principles of Teaching. Philippines: Lorimar Publishing Inc. Mark Cummings. (2004). The New Book of Popular Science. Danbury, Connecticut: Grolier. Department of Education. (2002). The Primer on Basic Education Curriculum Balce Marina E., Teaching Quality Science Education in Filipino: Mathematics Education Development. [PDF Document] Retrieved from University of the Philippines National Institute for Science and Mathematics Education Development Online Website: http://www.upd.edu.ph/~ismed/ Tan, Merle C. (2008). Science and Mathematics Education in the Philippines: Basic Education Level [Power Point slides]. Retrieved from: http://comste.gov.ph/images/files/Merle%20Tan.ppt