I. Context and Rationale
Contemporary issues are those event, idea, opinion or topics that is relevant to the present day. These issues can be connected to Social Studies education which is meant to be dynamic with contemporary events in the society. These contemporary events may be knowledge and information explosion, social problems, crimes, value education, issues in technology, political violence, gender issues, and others. Students must be aware of the important issues, news, and events happening nowadays. It is important because these issues are relevant and occurring now that becoming aware of contemporary and world issues, learners can build language, vocabulary, reading comprehension, critical thinking, problem-solving, oral expression, and listening skills.
According to Ashley Blackwelder (2020) having a news program increases student engagement and sets a positive tone. Another positive aspect of this project is that a school news program doesn’t have to cost much in terms of your budget or instructional time. Top-of-the-line video and sound equipment are nice, but not necessary for success.
Contemporary issues subject is essential in developing the learners’ awareness of the various global social conditions as potential problem solvers. Also, this makes them aware of their duties as community members and citizens of the country (Andrews, 2021; Bovaird et al., 2015). Additionally, it is designed to help them recognize the current political, social, economic, and ideological developments that influence their positive behavior towards society. Meanwhile, learning this subject’s competencies establishes an in-depth understanding of the societal challenges and critically envisions ways of reshaping society toward peaceful social living (Maksum et al., 2021; Ossai, 2016).
In response, the Philippine Department of Education K to 12 curriculum offers contemporary issues on Grade 10 students as a discipline that makes the learners responsive to social demands. It also develops their capacity to become critical, reflective, and prudent in their decision-making, social responsibility, and participation as national citizens. Hence, news sharing in the classroom during Araling Panlipunan subject is needed. This is to ensure that Grade 10 learners strengthen their awareness on the event occurring nowadays. News sharing is necessary among students to make them responsible citizens and active social problem solvers.
In view of the situation, the researcher created the Project E – BALITA (Enhance Balitaan sa Asignaturang AP, Filipino at EsP upang Linangin ang Isipan, Talasalitaan at mga Aral ng Buhay).
Project E – BALITA objectives are to integrate news across curriculum areas, promote and strengthen awareness of current issues and events and build learner’s self–confidence. This also emerged to collaborate with other learning areas specifically EsP and Filipino subject. These two-learning areas will use the Balitaan which enhances students’ vocabulary words in Filipino and lessons in life in connection with the EsP subject. It also trained the students to be more fluent in oral reading and showcase the broadcasting ability of students.
II. Proposed Innovation, Intervention, and Strategy
Project E – BALITA (Enhance Balitaan sa Asignaturang AP, Filipino at EsP upang Linangin ang Isipan, Talasalitaan at mga Aral ng Buhay) is a kind of innovation to strengthen the contemporary issue awareness among Grade students at Fermin La Rosa National High School.
The purpose of this project is to strengthen awareness of current issues and events among Grade 10 students. The target participants for this project are all Grade 10 students. Its main objective is to strengthen awareness of contemporary issues among them. Grade 10 students will have a news sharing with the use of video presentation during AP class. It aims to attain 100% Grade 10 learners who share news in front of the class.
Project E – BALITA (Enhance Balitaan sa Asignaturang AP, Filipino at EsP upang Linangin ang Isipan, Talasalitaan at mga Aral ng Buhay) is conducted by the AP department spearheaded by the researcher. A Project Proposal is submitted to the Department Head with the approval of the School Head. A Focused Group Discussion (FGD) is conducted to meet the Filipino, EsP and AP teachers for the collaboration.
The output deliverables of Project E – BALITA (Enhance Balitaan sa Asignaturang AP, Filipino at EsP upang Linangin ang Isipan, Talasalitaan at mga Aral ng Buhay) was the following:
• Project Proposal: The Project Proposal made by the proponent is submitted for the approval of the Department Head and School Head.
• News – Video: The proponent/ researcher checks the news – video made by the learners prior to its presentation in the class.
• 3 MT (3 Mahahalagang Tanong): These are the questions asks to learners right after the news – video presentation. These includes:
1. Ano ang naging reaksiyon mo tungkol sa iyong ibinalita?
2. Ano anong matatalinghagang salita ang nagamit o nakita mo sa iyong balita?
3. Anong aral ang nais ipahiwatig ng iyong balita ngayong araw na ito?
• Monitoring and Evaluation Tool: The proponent makes an M& E Tool to check the progress of the innovation.
see PDF attachment for more information