Republic of the Philippines

NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY

Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Chapter 1

Introduction

It has long been believed that social studies are a crucial part of the

curriculum that prepares students to be responsible citizens (De Loreto, et.al.,

2019). Its significance is seen in how it increases students' knowledge and

awareness of their surroundings, upholds the development of moral principles,

fosters cultural sensitivity, fosters community engagement, and provides a wider

perspective on regional, societal, or global issues (Crisolo, Camposano &

Rogayan, 2017). Ideally, Social Studies teachers as responsible citizens play a

significant role by employing effective learning strategies in their respective

lessons to teach the “ideals” of society (Eisner as cited in Kenyon, 2018). Despite

all of this, teaching Social Studies is deemed to be a challenging task because of

students’ attitude towards the subject.

Numerous factors contributed to Filipino students' lack of interest in social

studies. Some people don't find the subject interesting or applicable to them.

Some people were uninterested in history or current affairs, while others thought

the subject to be difficult and dull. While other students do their tasks out of

compliance and fail to see the value of this discipline in their lives which makes

their academic performance on the subject fail (Beboso & Bual, 2022). Teachers

will now search for a method to make the subject fascinating for the students

because it is at this point that they should be the classroom's shining lights.
 Republic of the Philippines
NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

GRADUATE SCHOOL

In the modern era, the utilization of various ICT and learning apps in

various topic areas benefits teachers as well as students by enhancing their

academic performance. Apps can serve as integrated lessons and let teachers

monitor their students' development. Additionally, the right app might improve a

teacher's lecture by providing a different perspective on a certain topic. As has

been found out from the study of Demir & Akpinar (2018), mobile learning

applications positively affect the performance of students.

To show its strong support the Department of Education (DepEd) through

the Information and Communications Technology Service (ICTS) encouraged the

use of ICT and other learning apps as mentioned on their program called Digital

Rise Program during the 2022 World Book and Copyright Day Celebration. This

shows that DepEd acknowledged how important it is for the teachers to help their

students engage in modern ways of learning so that the teaching-learning process

will be more meaningful and fun. The use of ICT and learning apps especially in

teaching social studies helps (1) motivate students’ engagement in the social

studies classrooms, (2) enhance their social studies learning, (3) make social

studies an appealing subject, and (4) improve their problem-solving,

communication, decision-making, and research skills (Hong, 2016).

Therefore, the researcher which handles the Understanding Culture,

Society and Politics (UCSP) subject in Senior High School Level at Butuan City

School of Arts and Trades believed that by integrating and utilizing a learning app
 Republic of the Philippines
NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

GRADUATE SCHOOL

called StudySmarter will help improve the academic performance of the Senior

High School students. The researcher thinks that StudySmarter App will be an

excellent supplemental teaching aid that will help teachers improve the learning

and reduce student failure.

Theoretical Framework

For this study, the researcher will utilize the Social Cognitive Theory

by Albert Bandura (1989).

Social Cognitive Theory. A theory of learning that asserts people from observing

others in their social environments. Modeling refers to learners observing others

perform actions in context, so teachers often incorporate it into their own teaching

practice. With technology, educators’ abilities to provide models increases and

increases students’ access to models by providing opportunities for all students to

observe teachers explain and demonstrate concept and skills.

Self-efficacy, or belief in one’s own ability to complete tasks and reach

goals, is increased when students can watch a model of a skill and then practice it

themselves. One of it is a mobile application with different features that teachers

could use, after which students can use to practice and perform review on exams

and remedial classes. Technology provides access to tutors or mentors that many

students may not have otherwise. Students are no longer bound to receiving help

solely through their community and can communicate with tutors and mentors
 Republic of the Philippines
NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

GRADUATE SCHOOL

from all over the world whom they would not otherwise be able to reach with

technology, increasing their learning potential (Wardlow, 2016).

Conceptual Framework

StudySmarter App Effectivity of

Utilization StudySmarter App

Respondents’ Profile
Benefit of StudySmarter
-Name App in BCSAT’s SHS
Students
-Age

-Gender

-Grade Level

Figure 1. Research Paradigm of the Study

Statement of the Problem

1. What is the respondents’ profile in terms of:

1.1 Name

1.2 Age

1.3 Gender

1.4 Grade Level

2. What are the benefits of using StudySmarter App to the academic

performance of Senior High School Students?

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

GRADUATE SCHOOL

3. How often does the Senior High School Students use the StudySmarter

App?

4. What is the level of performance of the Senior High School Students before

and after the utilization of StudySmarter App?

Hypothesis

From the foregoing statement of the problem, the null hypothesis was

tested:

There is no significant improvement in the academic performance of the

Senior High School students after the utilization of StudySmarte App.

Scope and Limitation of the Study

This study was conducted to determine the effectivity of the utilization of

StudySmarter App to the academic performance among the Senior High School

students of Butuan City School of Arts and Trades. This study is limited to the

Senior High School students who were enrolled in school year 2022-2023.

Significance of the Study

This study shows the effectiveness of the utilization of StudySmarter App to

the academic performance of Senior High School students.

Students. This study will give insights on how StudySmarter App could

help them on doing their review of their lessons during exam and remedial lesson

in a more interactive way.

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Teachers. This will enable them to be more creative and interactive in

doing reviews of their lessons and make it more engaging for their students.

Parents. The study will serve as their guide in understanding how

important technology is for the learning of their children. And that certain gadget

like cellphone is crucial in a 21st century learning classroom.

Administrators. The result of this study will help school administrators to

be more encouraging to their teachers on the importance of using different apps

as a tool to enhance the learnings of their students.

Future Researchers. This study would let future researchers to further

develop this research. This study would also provide information which could help

future researchers to conduct a new kind of research that would change society.

Definition of Terms

To better understand the study, these are the terms that are defined in their

operational and conceptual definition:

StudySmarter. This refers to a digital platform that simplifies your studies

during exams. This app makes learning fun, effective and efficient.

App. This refers to a piece of software created to carry out a particular task

either for the user or, in some cases, for another application program.

Utilization. This refers to the use of the specific app to improve the

academic performance of the students.

 Republic of the Philippines
NORTH EASTERN MINDANAO STATE UNIVERSITY
Formerly Surigao Del Sur State University
Main Campus
Tandag City, Surigao del Sur

GRADUATE SCHOOL

Students. This refers to the Senior High School students that uses the

StudySmarter App to improve their academic performance.

Teachers. This refers to the BCSAT teachers that utilized the StudySmarter

App to help improve the academic performance of the Senior High School

students.

Administrators. This refers to the people in the education system that will

encourage the teachers to utilize more mobile app or system in the teaching-

learning process.