GASPRO International Journal of Eminent Scholars

ABSTRACT

This study was to critically analyze the teaching methods and academic performance of high school students in social studies in California. The research design for this study is an experimental type. The area of this study was within the confines of California. The population of the study consists of all social studies teachers and high school students in California. The respondents in the study consisted of 12 social studies teachers and 240 students. These were obtained through the simple random sampling method, which was used in randomly selecting 2 teachers and 40 students from each of the 6 schools selected for use in the study. The researcher will develop one instrument tagged "Teaching Methods and Academic Performance Inventory" (TMAPI). The instrument was face and content validated, which was done by the researcher’s supervisor. One expert from test, measurement, and evaluation also helped in validating the instrument. A Cronbach Alpha technique was used to determine the reliability of the instrument (TMAPI), using 30 respondents who did not form part of the main study were randomly selected and the instrument administered to them. Data collected from the respondents was subjected to a reliability test, and it produced a reliability coefficient of 0.84 to 0.94. The study concluded that education is the most significant treasure that society requires to deal with its changing nature. The teaching of students at school is so methodical that the proper procedures are followed in order to achieve the anticipated goals. However, the teacher's competence includes the following: an understanding of learners' developmental and learning problems; classroom management; adequate knowledge of the subject matter and curriculum goals; use of instructional methods, techniques, and materials; improvement of instructional strategies to meet the changing demands of learners for occupational knowledge and efficiency; and citizenship preparation. One of the recommendations made was that students should be encouraged to make personal discovery by being exposed to discovery method of teaching.

KEYWORDS: Academic Performance, Students, Social Studies, Lecture, Field Trip and Discussion Method