Republic of the Philippines

Department of Education
Region XII
North Cotabato Division
ALEOSAN NATIONAL HIGH SCHOOL
San Mateo, Aleosan, North Cotabato

ACTION RESEARCH

NEW NORMAL LEARNERS’ SNAPSHOTS ON SOCMED-MENTAL WELLNESS

PROMOTIONS: BASIS FOR CARE-TA CAPACITY BUILDING

RESEARCHERS

KRISTEN T. CAALIM
School Information Coordinator

BEVERLY C. REGULAR
School Guidance Advocate

RONNIE T. TARIMAN
School Research Coordinator

SY 2021-2022
 RESEARCH ABSTRACT

This study aimed to explore the benefits of Social Media (SOCMED) as a supplementary learning
tool in Self Instructional Learning Modules (SILMs) and Learning Activity Sheet (LAS) during the
COVID19 pandemic in Aleosan National High School for SY 2021-2022. Thirty learners from G7
to G12 were selected as participants who are in school during data gathering. Follow-up questions
were done through an interview. A Focus group discussion (FGD) with some participants was
conducted to have more comprehensive information. DOH-IATF health protocol was observed
during the conduct of this study. The data were tallied and computed to determine the mean and its
interpretation. The findings revealed that SOCMED was an effective learning tool during the
COVID19 pandemic to enrich the Most Essential Learning Competencies while addressing the
mental wellness of the learners. The majority of the participants were from High to Very High in
SOCMED Engagement thus boredom and other psycho-social problems were mitigated. It was
noticeable that the psycho-social dimension of the learners during the COVID19 pandemic became
a major concern of the teachers due to the stigma of the virus on individual health and the effect of
lockdown. Through SOCMED inclusion in teaching and learning in Distance Learning Modality,
some issues and challenges confronted by the learners like classroom motivation and participation
were significantly addressed through group chat (GC). Also, problems with class monitoring,
homeroom guidance follow-up lectures; submission of online output through Facebook was
significantly improved. The majority of the learners submitted their digital and multimedia
learning output on time through Facebook messenger, YouTube, and Gmail. Hence, the alarming
cases of dropped outs or school leavers in all Grade levels were given an appropriate quick
intervention by the advisers due to online monitoring, feedback and assessment.

Keywords: social media, mental wellness, psycho-social dimension, stigma, digital, supplementary
 INTRODUCTION

Context and Rationale

COVID-19 pandemic brought a significant educational transformation to Aleosan

National High School from SY 2019- 2020 to SY 2021-2022. A report from World Health

Organization, in the first year of the pandemic already monitored the global prevalence of

anxiety and depression increased by almost 25%. This alarming information was also

possible in Aleosan National High School learners considering the strict implementation of

the DOH-IATF Health Protocol and the stigma of COVID-19 infections on individual health.

Based on learners’ feedback and observations, the majority of the learners were already

bored and exhausted answering learning modules to the extent that some learners are

irregular in the submission of answered Self Instructional Learning Modules (SILMs) or

Learning Activity Sheets (LAS). Other learners submitted SILMs or LAS without any

answers.

In this situation, the majority of the teachers initiated creating section group chat (GC) to

adapt the blended learning modality. The intention was to reach out to some learners, conduct

follow-up online lectures, and conduct enrichment learning activities for mental wellness. To

substantiate the content of the lessons, some teachers used popular Social Media (SOCMED)

as a source of information. Several studies revealed that SOCMED has a significant

contribution to the psycho-social, spiritual, and mental wellness of the learners during the

lockdown.

To safeguard the best interest of the learners, the concerned teachers were provided

relevant information to grasp SOCMED legal issues and mitigation. The teachers and parents

agreed to implement a classroom policy on the use of cellphone inside the classroom.
 The inclusion of legal issues on the right to privacy, defamation, and intellectual

property (IP) law is considered a very important added factor for our learners to be in the real

world based on the Social Media Regulation Act of 2017. This Act Mandating Social Media

Networks in Registration and Regulation of All Social Accounts for Responsible Journalism

to Stop Fake News, False Information, and Promote Responsible and Ethical Social Media

for the betterment of our country.

Due to the global educational benefits of Social Media to the lives of learners during the

COVID19 pandemic, this explanatory study on mental wellness to the Aleosan National High

School learners was conceived and conducted as the basis for program intervention for

School Year 2022-2023.

ACTION RESEARCH QUESTIONS

1. What is the level of engagement of the participants in the Social Media

Applications?

2. What are the benefits of Aleosan National High School learners in using Social

Media as a supplementary learning tool to sustain mental wellness during a

pandemic?

3. What program intervention can be crafted from ANHS learners’ snapshots of

SOCMED-Mental Wellness promotions amidst the pandemic?

 THEORETICAL LENS

This study's foundation was humanistic psychology. The basic ideas, such as the

ability for self-actualization, self-direction, and choice in humans, serve as the foundation for

how the information should be interpreted. These five criteria, such as being open, present,

trustworthy, creative, and fulfilled, are crucial for a person to be able to perform at their best,

according to philosopher Carl Rogers. He continued by saying that to develop, people needed

environments that were authentic (open and accepting of oneself), accepting of others, and

empathetic or being listened to and understood (Mcleud, 2014).

METHODOLOGY: INNOVATION, INTERVENTION, and STRATEGY

INNOVATION

The Aleosan National High School utilized Social Media (SOCMED) platform as

supplementary teaching-learning material in enriching some Most Essential Learning

Competencies from Self Instructional Learning Modules (SILMs) and Learning Activity

Sheet (LAS). Some SOCMED Apps were utilized as a source of information and learning

tool under the new normal teaching-learning modality.

INTERVENTION

The availability and accessibility of the SOCMED Applications to the learners were

considered effective supplementary learning materials to improve digital & networking skills

and for the awareness of global and local issues. Facebook Messenger was the venue for

instruction and remediation, and online submission of written outputs.

 STRATEGY

Using SOCMED apps was an effective approach to improving class motivation and

participation to instill the value of digital skills and networking under a distance learning

modality. Online -mental games and recreational entertainment were considered an effective

approach to divert some attention to addressing boredom after tedious hours. This holistic

teaching paradigm during this pandemic was addressing some gaps and limitations on how to

sustain the mental wellness of the learners.

ACTION RESEARCH METHODS

a. Participants and other Sources of Data and Information

The participants of this explanatory study were the learners available on

campus. The participants were asked for their availability and convenient time.

b. Data Gathering Methods

A prepared contextualized assessment tool and focus group discussions (FGD) were

used in gathering data to determine the level of engagement. The results were computed

using the mean following the scale (Prohaska, Anderson, and Binstock 2012):

4 Very High Engagement 3 High Engagement

2 Low Engagement 1 Very Low Engagement

 Results and Discussion

Table 1 shows the social engagement of the participants. The majority of the

participants registered a level of engagement ranging from 2.70 to 3.67 identified as high-

level and very high-level engagements, respectively. This shows that social media is an

effective platform as supplementary learning tool material during the COVID19 pandemic to

enrich Self Instructional Learning Materials (SILMs) and Learning Activity Sheets (LAS).

In the context of mental wellness development as the primary goal of the teachers and

parents during the COVID19 pandemic, social media played a significant role because of our

culture as Filipino “friends helping friends culture” as cited by different researchers and

social scientists. Thus, this platform served as the best venue to sustain the mental and social

wellness of the participants.

Table 1. Learners’ Level of Social Media Engagements during COVID-19 Pandemic

AREA OF CONCERNED MEAN SD DESCRIPTION

I used Social Media information to 3.10 0.66 High

improve my ICT skills with
netiquettes.
I used Social Media to improve my 3.10 0.76 High
global awareness and social issues.
I used Social Media to improve my 2.87 0.68 High
dancing and musical skills.

I used Social Media information to 3.00 0.64 High

improve my social responsibility.
I used Social Media to improve my 2.70 0.65 High
Critical Thinking skills.
I used Social Media to improve my 2.97 0.72 High
communication skills.
I used Social Media Apps during my 3.67 0.48 Very High
spare time to relieve my stress and
boredom.
I used Social Media most of the time 3.30 0.60 High
to connect with my family, friends,
and teachers in section group chat.
 Table 2 is showing the benefits of social media as supplementary learning material. It

is interesting to note that majority of the learners utilizing this platform had a positive effect

on their Most Essential Learning Competencies and psycho-social dimensions.

Table 2. Benefits of Social Media in Sustaining Mental Wellness of Aleosan NHS

Learners during COVID19 Pandemic

SIGNIFICANT CODE FORMULATED THEME CLUSTER

STATEMENT MEANING
I learned how to write and L1, L2, L4, L6, Writing Skills with
post messages in acceptable L8, L9, L10 Netiquettes
grammar concerning others.

I learned how to report, share L11,L12,L13 Digital and Beneficial for Mental
research findings, post L14,L15,L16 Multimedia Skills Wellness
comfort messages & prayers,
and dance with confidence in
a video.

I learned how to express my L21, L22,L23 Emotional Therapy

feelings to my Facebook L24, L25, L26
friends during free and
relaxation time.

I learned to value my family, L27, L28, L29, Valuing Human

and friends by constantly L30 Relations and
connecting to them through L5, L7 Connections
Social Media.
 CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

CONCLUSION

Based on our findings and analysis, Social Media as a supplementary learning tool in

blended learning is considered effective as a venue for instructional related activities as well

as for addressing the psycho-social development of the learners during the COVID19

pandemic.

RECOMMENDATION

As the SOCMED supplementary learning tool was found effective in the Mental

Wellness of the learners, the proponents suggest the following recommendation:

A. Encourage all subject teachers from G7 to G12 to strengthen activities to enrich

digital and multimedia skills necessary for the information age.

B. Review some school policies on how to improve the use of gadgets inside the

classroom.
 PROPOSED CRAFTED PLAN OF ACTION
CARE-TA CAPACITY BUILDING
SOCIAL MEDIA HYGIENE FOR S.Y. 2022-2023

ACTIVITIES SPECIFIC TIMELINE MATERIALS PARTICIPANTS

OBJECTIVE

Organizing of To organize July-August Internet English/PR/ESP

Participants the Connections
participants as 2022
members and Classes
committees
Recruitment, To register September – Record English/PR/ESP
Registration and orient the Book/Internet
and participants October 2022 Connections/ Classes
Orientation Gadgets

Pre-Test, To implement November- Bond Paper English/PR/ESP

Proper the program Laptop
Lectures, and as scheduled December Writing pen Classes
Training
2022

Assessment To assess and January- Bond Paper English/PR/ESP

and evaluate the Internet
Evaluation participation February 2023 Connections Classes
and learning Gadget
outcomes of
the
participants