Preferences of Educational Materials and Level of Knowledge on Learning Technologies of Fisherfolks in Selected Coastal Communities in Palawan, Philippines

Abstract

Entrepreneurship education is deemed important in the discourse of community empowerment and development, especially in coastal communities where poverty is widespread. With adequate entrepreneurship education, entrepreneurial intention can be fostered among local fisherfolks and aquafarmers for business creation. This could be achieved through the use of educational materials and learning technologies. However, for better communication of this knowledge to the locals, using a medium of their preference suitable to their level of knowledge on learning technologies should be taken into consideration. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the preferred type of educational materials and the level of knowledge and skills of fisherfolks and aquafarmers on available learning technologies. We conducted a face-to-face survey interview using a Computer Assisted Personal Interviewing (CAPI) tool in 11 coastal communities in Palawan, Philippines (N=395). Results of this study revealed that the majority of the participants identified listening to a lecture, seminar, and workshop (88.9%) as their highly preferred medium of learning. This was followed by charts, diagrams, and pictures (82.6%), flyers, calendars, and books (73.5%), video (73.3%), audio (through hearing) (44.7%), and songs, jingles, and chants (35.1%). The majority of the participants (57%-88%) claimed that their level of knowledge in using spreadsheets, word processors, presentation tools, laptops, internet browsing, and smartphones is generally poor. It was then explored how these preferences and levels of knowledge can be predicted by age, gender, ethnicity, and educational background using Linear Regression Analysis. The data suggested that among these predictors, only age significantly affected the learning materials preferences. On the other hand, the level of knowledge on available learning technologies differed by age, ethnicity, and educational background but not by gender. Our findings can be used as a basis for decisions in the transfer of knowledge among local fisherfolks and aquafarmers. Furthermore, it can aid in designing and creating potentially effective educational materials for the coastal communities in Palawan.