INTERACTIVE NOTEBOOK: EFFECTS ON CREATIVE AND CRITICAL THINKING SKILLS OF SOCIAL STUDIES STUDENTS

Abstract

The introduction of varied methods and techniques to sustain student interest must be implemented to make learning more interesting, meaningful, and permanent. This study sought to determine the effectiveness of an Interactive Notebook with varied performance tasks in the creative and critical thinking skills of Social Studies students. This descriptive action research was conducted in a public secondary school in Zambales, the Philippines involving 60 Grade 8 students in two classes using convenience sampling. The pre-test and post-test were used as the main instrument in gathering data and validating the scoring rubrics, and standard levels of performance (emoticons) were used to assess varied performance tasks. The Interactive notebook (IN) is used as a tool for recording all performance tasks for the whole duration of the second grading period. The result showed that the level o creative and critical thinking skills of both sections under two different curricula increased from below average as developing level performance to excellent as proficient level upon exposure to the intervention for almost four months. Based on the results, it is concluded that the application of the IN with varied performance tasks showed a very satisfactory increase in the creative and critical thinking skills of the Social Studies students. The exposure to varied activities under performance tasks with the evaluation of different groups using varied assessments (rubrics and standard level emoticons) facilitates creative and critical thinking skills. Therefore, it is recommended that the application of the IN to other classes will further improve the students’ creative and critical thinking skills. Aside from the IN, localized forms of assessments may be introduced.