Proponent: Leticia E. Eugenio
Research Agenda
Category: Teaching and Learning
Subject: Mathematics
Office/School: CID Schools Division Office of
Balanga

The global impact of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has
been profound, particularly in the realm of education, affecting 90% of the world’s student population. In response to this unprecedented disruption, the Department of Education implemented sweeping changes to adapt to the new normal. With the directive to shift to home-based distance learning, the educational landscape witnessed a surge in online education initiatives, especially in the realm of Mathematics. Recognized as an effective alternative in the contemporary teaching-learning process, online education faced challenges as revealed by a recent study conducted by the UNESCO Institute of Statistics (UIS) and the Teacher Task Force. The study indicated that 826 million students, constituting 50% of those kept out of classrooms by the
pandemic, lacked access to computers at home. An additional 706 million students had no internet access, and 56 million learners resided in areas devoid of mobile network coverage, underscoring the digital disparities exacerbated by the pandemic.

In response to these challenges, educational broadcasts through radio emerged as a viable alternative to bridge the educational gap. The interactive communication technique of radio-based instruction facilitated the convergence of instructors, learners, resources, and experts, irrespective of geographical constraints. The utilization of radio in education, specifically Mathematics, presented two major approaches: live broadcasting and taped broadcasting. The guidelines for the development of learning resources for radio-based instruction, as outlined in regional memorandum no. 280, s.
2020 (DM-CI-2020-00244, dated September 7, 2020), emphasized the commitment to uphold learners’ rights in diverse educational situations.

While the use of radio as a tool in Mathematics distance learning posed
challenges due to the non-availability of educational content in audio-visual formats and a lack of expertise in broadcasting, the researcher embarked on a study to investigate the potential of radio broadcasting in teaching Mathematics. Amid the global adoption of radio-based programs for proper education delivery, the study aims to contribute to the ongoing discourse by evaluating the effectiveness of radio-based instruction. By exploring the benefits and challenges associated with this medium, the research aims to address gaps in knowledge and skills, particularly in the Schools Division of Balanga City, and formulate a comprehensive theory on radio-based distance
learning.