by: Rina L. Queaño
Teacher III, Liliw National High School
Liliw Sub-Office, SDO Laguna
In the realm of education, the pursuit of enhancing students’ mathematical proficiency has long been a persistent challenge. Numerous strides have highlighted the concerning decline of mathematical skills among students which poses significant implications for their future academic and professional endeavors. Thus, the Department of Education initiative which is the National Learning Camp has emerged as a promising initiative to address this pressing issue.
The three-week NLC which had run from July 1 to 19 have two goals: enhancing learning outcomes and assisting educators in providing better instruction. The NLC integrates enjoyable and stimulating activities to support student interests, socio-emotional skills, personal growth, and character development in an environment that is reminiscent of a camp. With focusing on the three subjects — Mathematics, English, and Science — this program aims to strengthen comprehension and communication abilities in these key domains.
The mathematics NLC curriculum is purposefully designed to cultivate numerical literacy and digital skills that are essential for success in the 21st century. Having three camps — intervention, consolidation, and enhancement — these learning camp offer tailored support for students of varying abilities and needs. Thus, it is crucial to evaluate the impact of these programs on students’ cognitive and non-cognitive development.
Being a secondary math teacher, I have observed the impact of NLC firsthand. Students who participated in the NLC demonstrated marked improvements in their mathematics performance as evident from their scores during the learning camp. Students not only showed stronger conceptual understanding of the basic mathematical principles, but also exhibited enhanced problem-solving skills and critical thinking skills. This can be seen during camp activities that required interpreting data ad formulating strategies to solve problems.
As our learners navigate the digital age where computational thinking and data analysis are increasingly paramount, the ability to effectively communicate mathematical ideas and solutions has become a vital skill. With NLC embracing interactive games, outdoor activities, and personalized mentoring, the effectiveness of this initiative in fostering students’ mathematical skills has made important strides.
These steps are supported by which we demonstrate that participation in the NLC program led to significant improvements in students’ mathematical achievement, as evidenced by increases in test scores, classroom performance, and development of key mathematical dispositions.
In addition, NLC had a positive impact on students’ socio-emotional competencies, such as teamwork, communication, and problem-solving abilities — underscoring the holistic nature of this program in cultivating well-rounded individuals who are mathematically literate and equipped to thrive in the digital age.
Nevertheless, improvements can still be made to further strengthen this initiative. This includes integrating more advanced digital tools and platforms to enhance the interactive and personalized nature of the learning experience, as well as providing more comprehensive teacher training and support to ensure effective implementation of the program.
Looking ahead, sustaining and expanding the NLC initiative could have far-reading implications in addressing the systemic challenges plaguing mathematics education, ultimately empowering students to become confident, capable, and enthusiastic learners of this vital discipline.
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