Development of

Strategic
Competence Among
Junior High School
Students of
University of
Batangas

Authors
Leeuwen F. Deimoy
Ryan Angelo V. Macatangay
Joseph Charles G. Martinez
Jie Anne V. Ortega
 Introduction
Mathematics is one of the difficult subjects
in the curriculum of a formal education. It holds a
key position in the school curriculum and it is also
seen as a pivotal subject. This study aimed to
assess the mathematics performance of the Junior
High School students in University of Batangas
regarding strategic competence, it involved the
perception of thirty-five (35) respondents consist of
students studying in University and were selected
randomly. This study compile with the researchers
started last November 2017 up to March 2018.
Statement of the Problem
This study sought answers to the
following questions:
1. How do students answer and deal with
problem solving?
2. Is there any significant relationship between
students’ mathematical performance and
strategic competence?
3. Based on the analysis, what learning
enrichment activities may be prepared?
 Methodology
1. Research Design
Grounded Theory
2. Sampling Method
Stratified Sampling
3. Research Instrument
Open-Ended Questionnaires
Results and Discussion
Research Question 1. How do respondent find
the lessons encountered in Mathematics 9 so
far?
Respondents had their own impressions
as they tackle and study the lessons in
Mathematics 9. Some of the respondents said that
it is easy to understand and absorb the lessons in
Mathematics 9. Other respondents find
Mathematics 9 as a thrilling, challenging, fun and
interesting subject. A respondent said that the
teacher motivated them and made the lessons in
Mathematics easy to understand.
Results and Discussion

But on the other hand, most of the

respondents said that Mathematics 9 is so hard
and complicated. One of the respondents said that
it is hard to understand the lessons in Mathematics
9 because unlike the respondent’s previous
lessons in Mathematics, Mathematics 9 is harder
than before. Other respondents said that some of
the lessons were easy and some are difficult.
Results and Discussion
Research Question 2. When the respondent encountered
a problem in Math subject, do respondent had a hard time
on answering it? What maybe the reason/s?
Based on the analysis of the questionnaires, most of
the respondents had a hard time on analyzing as well as
solving and answering some mathematical problems because
most of the respondents are not fast learners in Mathematics
subject but other respondents said that they can’t understand
their teacher’s discussion and explanations. Some of the
respondents don’t know how to solve the problems even
though they are given the formula to be used to solve the
certain mathematical problem because some of the
respondents have a hard time in analyzing and
understanding.
Results and Discussion
On the other hand, some of the
respondents failed to listen to the discussion of
their teachers so in the end they are suffering
because they don’t know what to do in order
solve a mathematical problems while other
respondents said that their teacher was not able
to attend the class to have any discussions.
One of the respondents doesn’t have an interest
in mathematics subject so the respondent
doesn’t make any efforts in learning something
from the subject.
Results and Discussion
Research Question 3. Is the respondent using calculator
or mobile apps in solving? Why or why not? (If yes,
state the mobile app/s being used.)
Although students have different strategies in solving
mathematical equations, respondents had to choose
between using calculator and using mobile applications
installed in their smartphones. Most of the respondents are
using calculator specifically scientific calculators in order for
them to easily and correctly solve a certain mathematical
problem. Based from the respondents, scientific calculators
are easy to use. One of the respondents is not using mobile
applications in solving because there are other applications
that may distract them in solving for the solution and answer.
Results and Discussion

Other respondents on the other hand are being

practical so they are using mobile applications like
Photomath and Mathway so that they can instantly get the
answer to a certain mathematical problem. One of the
respondents sometimes forgot to bring scientific calculator,
so the respondent is using mobile calculator installed in the
respondent’s smartphone instead as an alternative one
because similar to the actual scientific calculator, the mobile
calculator has also a scientific mode which can help in
solving too. Other respondents are productive in using such
things so they are using both options in solving
mathematical problems.
Results and Discussion
Research Question 4. How can solving word problems
in mathematics help the respondent in the
respondent’s daily living?
Students see the subject Mathematics as one of the
hardest subjects in school. It is also a burden in the
perspective of some students. But even though
Mathematics is difficult to understand, students are trying
their best to answer and solve a certain mathematical
equation/problem. Even though Mathematics is hard,
respondents had shared how solving mathematical
problems helped them in their daily lives. Mathematics is
part of our everyday lives and we are applying it on most of
our activities. Most respondents improved their skills in
solving problems in math and in life.
Results and Discussion
Based from the respondents, problems in
Mathematics are likely similar to the problems in our life
where except for it is meant to be solved, there are many
ways/solutions to resolve those problems. Respondents
said that solving problems in math can help them in their
future lives where they can use their skills to have a bright
future. Most of the respondents also said that solving
mathematical word problems developed their skills in doing
simple mathematics up to the complex ones. One of the
respondents said that word problems can help the students
to improve the way they analyze, understand and also to
solve.
Conclusions
Based on the analyzed data and findings of the study, the
researchers deduced the following conclusions:
1. Mathematics may be easy for some people but for most people, it is
hard.
2. Student’s learning depends upon student’s subject teacher and to
student itself also.
3. There are students who have a hard time in understanding, analyzing
and solving mathematical problems/equations. In short, some students
are slow learners.
4. Some students are using either of the calculator or mobile applications
installed in their smartphones such as Mathway and Photomath in solving
mathematical problems. Some students are using both options.
5. Solving word problems can really help all people in everyday living.
Conclusions
6. There is a significant relationship between students’ mathematical
performance and strategic competence.
7. Students uses different strategies in solving and word problems.
Students are trying their best to understand the lessons in Mathematics.
Most of the students preferred to use scientific calculators in solving word
problems.
8. There is a significant relationship between students’ mathematical
performance and strategic competence as they may apply it to real life
situations. Students’ mathematical performance may be used in their
everyday lives. Also, the ability of the students to analyze mathematical
word problems may help them develop their strategic competence.
9. Learning Enrichment Activities are needed to develop the strategic
competence of the students such as tutorials dealing answering
mathematical word problems and providing many different word problems to
improve the strategic competence of the students.
Recommendations
Based on the findings and conclusions, the researchers hereby
present the following recommendations:
1. Students must not see Mathematics as a difficult subject and
work up their skills in Mathematics.
2. Students should attend class and listen in the discussions and
explanations of their teachers.
3. Teachers must attend class and discuss the lessons concisely
and briefly with examples so that students will understand the
topic/lesson.
4. Students must develop their understanding, analyzing and
solving skills in Mathematics in order to develop their ability to solve
mathematical problems by answering different types of
mathematical problems with different difficulties.
Recommendations
5. Students must be responsible in using their smartphones as
tool to solve a certain mathematical problem.
6. Students must appreciate Mathematics and use the
knowledge they’ve got in their everyday living.
7. Teachers may conduct math tutorials to those who are having
trouble in answering mathematical problems/equations
especially word problems.
8. Professionals may be invited to conduct seminars that will
provide the students a vast knowledge on using different mobile
applications as a tool in solving and understanding different
mathematical problems.
 Table 1
Proposed Course of Action to Develop
Students’ Strategic Competence
Persons Time
Objectives Activities/Strategies Involved Frame Expected Output
Students should
Widen the students’ The teachers may
understand different
understanding in the concisely discuss each
different topics in topic in Mathematics using Teacher topics that will be
Year discussed by the
Mathematics subject different teaching methods s
and give examples like round teacher and should
and apply it in
real-life word problems.
Students apply what they have
everyday living. learned in their
everyday lives.
Professionals may be invited
To orient students in to conduct seminars that will Students should have a
using different mobile provide the students a vast Professionals foundation of information
applications knowledge on using different School Year about the mobile
productively in solving mobile applications as a tool applications that may
different mathematical in solving and understanding Students round help them solve and
problems. different mathematical understand different
problems. mathematical problems.

Develop students’ The school may conduct a Students should have

ability to formulate, tutorials open to students been better in
discussing about different Faculty Year understanding and
represent and solve
mathematical
strategies in solving Students round solving mathematical
mathematical problems. problems.
problems.
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