Can Computer-Assisted Instruction Improve Students’ Motivation and Academic Performance in Social Studies?

Abstract

Teaching social studies requires more engaging and more student-centered strategies. The use of technology as pedagogy in this digital era is a typical picture in teaching social studies courses. Technology-integrated teaching is also a trend now due to educational disruption brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. This one-group pre- post-test action research investigated the effects of Computer-Assisted Instruction (CAI) on motivation and academic performance in social studies among students in a public secondary school in Zambales, Philippines. Findings revealed that the students had a fair level of motivation (M=3.20) towards the subject before the intervention and had a high motivation (M=3.59) after their exposure to CAI. The class had an average (M=23.18) academic performance in social studies before the intervention and had improved to above average (M=37.82) after the treatment. There was a significant difference in the motivation and academic performance of students after the application of the CAI. The study recommends the use of CAI in teaching select concepts in social studies to improve students’ motivation and academic performance. Contextualization of CAI is also recommended specifically in this era of disruptive technologies and era of educational disruption.