The purpose of this study was to develop teacher’s support materials for teaching Solving Word Problems in College Algebra using Microsoft-Excel Program at Philippine Normal University-Agusan Campus, Prosperidad, Agusan del Sur. Specifically, this study intended to:

1. identify the learning objectives of the topics on word problem solving, particularly:

1.1 general objectives; and

1.2 specific objectives

2. develop a set of instructions for the topics on solving word problems in college algebra using Microsoft-Excel program, specifically, on the following topics:

2.1 number problems;

2.2 age problems;

2.3 geometry-related problems;

2.4 work problems;

2.5 mixture problems;

2.6 motion/distance problems;

2.7 investment problems

3. design a format of presentation using Microsoft FrontPage 2000;and

4. determine the level or degree of acceptability of the developed materials in terms of:

4.1 Objectives;

4.2 Content Quality;

4.3 Instructional Quality;

4.4 Technical Quality; and

4.5 Significance

          The research study followed three major stages in the research and development cycle, namely, (a) Planning Stage, (b) Developing/Designing Stage, and (a) Evaluation Stage.

          The planning stage, involved a collection of resource materials, review of related studies and literature and formulation of general and specific objectives. This process also involved the sequencing of presentations of the activities and exercises.

          The design and developing stage was divided into two categories: a.) the design of a format of presentation program using Microsoft FrontPage 2000 in a Hypertext Mark-up Language (HTML) format, as presentation software, and b.) the development of the module on how to use Microsoft Excel program to solve word problems in college algebra.

           In evaluating the developed learning material, the researcher used a 5-point Likert scale as suggested by Avila (1998) for computer-aided instruction software (CAI) evaluation. The evaluation checklist was divided into categories, namely; a.) Objectives (3 questions), b.) Quality of Content (6 questions), c.) Instructional Quality (8 questions), d.) Technical Quality (7 questions), and e.) Significance (4 questions).

           From the results of evaluation, the summary mean responses for each criterion were as follows: a.) Objectives 3.44, b.) Quality of Content- 3.28, c.) Instructional Quality – 3.29, d.) Technical Quality – 3.05, and e.) Significance – 3.21. The over-all mean rating was 3.25.

CONCLUSION

           Based on the analyses and findings of the data gathered, it was concluded that the content of the developed module is fairly acceptable and can be used as a resource material or a supplement for teaching and learning word problem solving in algebra using Microsoft Excel program. However, due to some limitations of the research study, the researcher would like to emphasize that these teacher’s support materials are subject for further validation in terms of their content effectiveness. Further revisions and necessary improvements in their contents will increase the level of their acceptability in teaching and learning.

         Given the limitation of the research, it is suggested that this developed teacher’s support materials for teaching solving word problem in college algebra be tried out, explored, and experimented for further improvements as this will validate more the acceptability of the developed module.

         From the findings on the results of evaluation, it is recommended that teachers should also design and develop a computer-based material or a computer-aided instruction in their own respective fields of specialization. Especially in the field of science (such as physics) and mathematics, these materials open more opportunities for teachers for further teaching explorations and innovations.

        The researcher believes that this kind of innovations offers a lot of techniques in teaching and learning solving word problems in algebra using computer technology, specifically, using Microsoft-excel program.

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