Exploring The Link Between Project-Based Learning and Technical Skill Acquisition Among Grade 11 Students at Suawan High School
Exploring The Link Between Project-Based Learning and Technical Skill Acquisition Among Grade 11 Students at Suawan High School
Ambot, John C.
Buang, John C.
Charing, John C.
Danghag, John C.
Ewan, John C.
Fifa, John C.
Gorabells, John C.
Halo, John C.
_________________________
Researchers
March 2025
CERTIFICATE OF APPROVAL
i
ABSTRACT
A good abstract is accurate, non-evaluative, coherent and readable, and concise (APA
6th Edition). The research abstract is counted as page ii (lowercase Roman numeral)
with a running head or abbreviated title. The word abstract should be in upper letters
centered at the top of the page in bold format. The justified abstract should be a single
paragraph without paragraph indention. The abstract is a summary of the research
study, totaling from 150 to 250 words. It should be written in past tense when
referring to the conduct of the study (e.g. “Results showed that...”, “The participants
of the study were composed of...”); but in present tense when referring to ideas,
concepts or implications derived from the research study (e.g. The findings imply
that...”). Consider writing the abstract after the paper has been completed. Abstract
should contain the following: Keywords (maybe 3 to 4 keywords after the abstract);
one sentence statement of the problem or research question; brief description of the
subjects or participants (identify how many and any relevant characteristics); brief
description of the research methods and procedures; basic findings/report of the
results, including effect, sizes, and confidence interval and/or statistical significance
levels; and conclusions and implications or applications.
ii
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
the center. The justified paragraph should express the student’s gratitude and
appreciation for all the assistance made and given by special individuals, institution,
organization etc. that are not mentioned in the research paper but have made an
paragraphs with single indention. Pagination below should be iii with a condensed
form of the title at the upper-right corner same format with the previous pages.
iii
DEDICATION
appear on the page, the text should be centered. The page contains the names of
people special to the researcher, e.g family, friends, other closed relatives, who
inspired and helped the researcher to finish and complete his/her research paper.
Pagination below should be iv with a condensed form of the title at the upper-right
corner same format with the previous pages. Double spacing with no space before and
The Researchers
iv
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Title Page
Approval Sheet i
Abstract ii
Acknowledgements iii
Dedication iv
Table of Contents v
List of Tables vi
List of Figures vi
List of Appendices vii
References
Appendix
v
LIST OF TABLES
LIST OF FIGURES
Figure 1.2.1 Conceptual Framework ix
Figure 3.3.1 Google Map Location of Suawan High School ix
vi
LIST OF APPENDICES
vii
Chapter 1
1.1 Introduction
through real-world projects, has gained attention for its potential to enhance technical
Davao City.
technical education contexts. A study by Owens and Hite (2022) across UK secondary
Metro Manila secondary schools, finding that 68% of participants showed improved
Cebu technical high schools revealed that project-based learning facilitated deeper
1
understanding and retention of technical concepts, with significant improvements in
Within Suawan High School, no formal studies had examined the relationship
The research gap identified was the absence of empirical evidence regarding
acquisition within Suawan High School's unique socio-educational context. This gap
agricultural area where technical skills hold substantial value for students' future
The conceptual framework for this study positioned project-based learning and
2
sustained inquiry, student autonomy, and creation of tangible products
Figure 1.2.1
Conceptual Framework
PROJECT-BASED TECHNICAL SKILL
LEARNING ACQUISITION
contexts. The relationship between these variables was examined through correlation
skill acquisition.
and technical skill acquisition among Grade 11 students at Suawan High School for
SY 2024-2025.
3
Is there a significant relationship between project-based learning and
School?
Null/Alternative Hypotheses:
For teachers at Suawan High School, the results could provide evidence to
subjects. Teachers could use these insights to design more effective learning
4
For Grade 11 students at Suawan High School, the results could lead to
improved learning experiences that better prepare them for future academic
students throughout the Philippines, especially in rural areas like the Marilog
District.
For future researchers, this study will establish baseline data on the
learning and technical skill acquisition among Grade 11 students at Suawan High
School in Marilog District, Davao City, during the school year 2024-2025. The study
included only officially enrolled Grade 11 students at Suawan High School, who had
participated in at least one project-based learning activity during the current academic
year. It did not include students from other grade levels or schools, nor did it consider
The study did not evaluate other aspects of student development, such as
social skills, general academic achievement, or personal growth, unless they were
5
relationships between variables. The qualitative aspects of project-based learning
products or solutions.
6
Chapter 2
7
Chapter 3
RESEARCH METHODS
the relationship between project-based learning and technical skill acquisition among
Grade 11 students in Suawan High School. This design was selected because it allows
between the two variables without manipulating any conditions. Through the
project-based learning and their levels of technical skill acquisition and then analyzed
the patterns of association between these variables to determine whether they varied
This analytical approach enabled researchers to determine not only whether the
variables were related but also whether project-based learning could serve as a
Regression analysis provided insights into the extent to which variance in technical
educational context.
Electrical Installation and Maintenance (EIM) strand at Suawan High School during
the academic year 2024-2025. The selection process included all students from these
8
strands to ensure a comprehensive representation of the grade 11 population. Among
respondents from 11-Amity and 33 from 11-Honesty, as shown in the table below:
educational institution located in Barangay Suawan, Marilog District, Davao City, the
Philippines. Situated approximately 55 km from Davao City proper, the school serves
backgrounds. Suawan High School was established in 1978 and has since expanded to
offer complete junior and senior high school programs, including specialized general
academic and technical-vocational tracks for senior high school students, in response
This setting was particularly relevant to this study because of its distinct
vocational education in the Marilog District, Suawan High School played a crucial
role in developing practical skills among students from rural communities who often
agricultural area with emerging small-scale industries has created unique challenges
classroom instruction with real-world applications relevant to the local context. This
9
methodologies influence technical skill acquisition among students preparing for
The primary data collection tool used in this study was a structured survey
their technical skill acquisition. The instrument consists of two main sections: the
ranging from "Strongly Disagree" (1) to "Strongly Agree" (5), allowing for a
Grade 11 students. Reliability analysis using Cronbach's alpha yielded the following
results:
coefficients of 0.711 and 0.843 for project-based learning and technical skill
The data collection process followed five key steps to ensure accuracy and
ethical compliance:
that participation was voluntary and that their responses would remain
anonymous.
distraction-free environment.
prevent errors. Physical copies were stored in a locked cabinet, while digital
The study employed several statistical tools and procedures to analyze the
11
1. For establishing instrument reliability, Cronbach's Alpha coefficient was
calculated for both the Project-Based Learning and the Technical Skill
reliability. The analysis yielded coefficients of 0.84 and 0.71 for the respective
2. For quantifying survey responses, a five-point Likert scale was utilized, with
Disagree (2), Neutral (3), Agree (4), and Strongly Agree (5). This standardized
accurately.
This statistical measure assessed both the strength and direction of the linear
relationship between the two variables, with values ranging from -1 to +1.
12
Significance testing was conducted at the 0.05 alpha level to determine
6. All statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS Statistics (Version
analytical precision and reliability. The selection of SPSS was based on its
testing.
13
Chapter 4
student responses and employing statistical methods, patterns and insights are
Demographic Distribution
Frequency Percen
Gr/Sec
Count t
11-Amity 30 47.6
11-Honesty 33 52.4
Total 63 100.0
School. Specifically, the data shows that 38 respondents, or 60.3%, are female,
14
relatively even distribution across the two sections. This information provides
Descriptive Statistics
Table 4.1.2 Descriptive Statistics for Project-Based Learning and Technical Skill Acquisition
Mea
No. Project-Based Learning SD Response
n
Q1 I enjoy participating in project-based learning activities. 4.11 ± 0.72 Agree
Q2 Project-based learning helps me understand the subject better. 4.02 ± 0.93 Agree
Q3 I feel more motivated to learn when we work on projects. 3.81 ± 0.91 Agree
Q4 Project-based learning helps me apply what I learn to real situations. 3.77 ± 1.09 Agree
Q5 I feel more engaged in class when we do project-based learning. 3.75 ± 1.03 Agree
Q6 I learn more effectively through project-based learning than through traditional lessons. 3.83 ± 0.98 Agree
Q7 Working on projects helps me focus on the lesson better. 3.82 ± 1.09 Agree
Q8 I enjoy working with my classmates on projects. 4.21 ± 3.59 Strongly Agree
Q9 Project-based learning helps me think critically about the topic. 3.90 ± 0.95 Agree
Q10 I feel proud of my work after completing a project-based learning activity. 4.21 ± 0.79 Strongly Agree
Grand Mean 3.94 ± 0.63 Agree
Mea
No. Technical Skill Acquisition SD Response
n
Q11 Project-based learning helps me develop technical skills. 4.05 ± 0.99 Agree
Q12 I feel more confident in my technical skills after completing a project. 3.59 ± 1.19 Agree
Q13 I can use the technical skills I learned from project-based learning in real life. 3.84 ± 1.12 Agree
Q14 Project-based learning helps me improve my ability to work with tools and equipment. 3.87 ± 1.10 Agree
Q15 I am better at solving technical problems after participating in project-based learning. 3.81 ± 0.95 Agree
Q16 I feel that I have gained practical skills from working on projects. 3.52 ± 0.96 Agree
Q17 Project-based learning makes me more confident in using technology. 3.67 ± 1.03 Agree
Q18 I have learned new technical skills through project-based learning. 3.73 ± 1.09 Agree
Q19 Project-based learning helps me understand technical concepts better. 3.97 ± 0.82 Agree
Q20 I can perform technical tasks more easily after participating in project-based learning. 3.81 ± 1.11 Agree
Grand Mean 3.78 ± 0.67 Agree
distribution of these means, ranging from 3.75 to 4.21, suggests that while
into the variability of responses. Notably, the high standard deviation for "I
the variability implies that some students may have had significantly more
The highest mean scores for "I enjoy working with my classmates on
projects" (Q8) and "I feel proud of my work after completing a project-based
based learning. The students' strong affirmation of these items suggests that
the sense of camaraderie and accomplishment derived from project work are
key drivers of their positive experience. Conversely, the lowest mean score for
"I feel more engaged in class when we do project-based learning" (Q5), while
learning (Q8) may reflect the importance of social interaction and peer support
in their learning experience. This finding suggests that designing projects that
satisfaction and motivation. The equally high mean for feeling proud of their
work (Q10) underscores the intrinsic value of accomplishment and the sense
of ownership that project-based learning can foster. This suggests that projects
The slightly lower mean for engagement (Q5) may indicate that factors
lifecycle. This finding suggests that educators should pay close attention to the
16
design and implementation of project-based learning activities, ensuring that
they are structured to maintain student interest and participation. It may also
imply that more direct instruction, and check in points may be needed during
project-based learning.
The variance in standard deviations further shows that while the grand
mean is positive, each student can have vastly different experiences when it
comes to group work. This means that educators need to take into account that
not every student has the same level of comfort when working with others, and
The grand mean of 3.78 for technical skill acquisition, while positive,
is slightly lower than the grand mean for project-based learning itself. This
learning and technical skill development, the perceived impact is not as strong
develop technical skills" (Q11) indicates a direct perceived link between the
the study's core hypothesis. However, the lower mean score of 3.52 for "I feel
that I have gained practical skills from working on projects" (Q16) suggests a
application.
The standard deviations for the technical skill acquisition section of the
table, are generally higher than the standard deviations for the project-based
learning section. This shows that there is a wider range of student responses in
17
regard to the technical skill acquisition questions, than the project-based
learning questions.
The high mean for perceived skill development (Q11) confirms that
development. However, the lower mean for practical skill application (Q16)
competence. This suggests that while students may learn technical concepts
through project work, they may lack opportunities to apply these skills in real-
world scenarios.
This disconnect may stem from various factors, such as limited access
students to bridge the gap between theory and practice, enhancing their
shows that there is a need to make sure that each student is receiving adequate
training and instruction when it comes to the technical aspects of the project.
Because of the wide range of responses, this shows that some students feel that
they are getting the technical training, while others feel that they are not.
Correlation Analysis
Table 4.1.3 Pearson Correlation Analysis between Project-Based Learning and Technical Skill Acquisition
Project-Based Learning
Variables Remarks Decision
Pearson Correlation Sig. (2-tailed)
Technical Skill Acquisition 0.403 0.001 Significant Reject HO1
18
Table 4.1.3 shows the Pearson correlation analysis between project-
coefficient (r) is 0.403, and the significance value (p) is 0.001. This indicates a
and technical skill acquisition. Since the p-value is less than 0.05, the null
skill acquisition also tends to improve. This statistical finding supports the
skills among Grade 11 students at Suawan High School. The strength of the
variables.
Regression Analysis
Table 4.1.4 presents the regression analysis, which examines the extent
19
development. This means that while other factors may also contribute to
Cronbach's alpha for project-based learning is 0.711, and for technical skill
acquisition.
the reliability of the data collection instruments and the robust relationship
correlation and regression results reinforce the study's central claim: project-
20
Chapter 5
Findings
The following findings are obtained based on the analysis and interpretation of data:
a grand mean of 3.94. The highest mean score was for the statement "I enjoy
of collaboration. However, engagement levels were slightly lower, with "I feel
of 3.75.
2. Technical skill acquisition was positively rated, with a grand mean of 3.78.
The highest mean score was for "Project-based learning helps me develop
technical skills" (4.05), confirming the perceived benefits of PBL. However, "I
feel that I have gained practical skills from working on projects" had the
21
lowest mean (3.52), indicating a potential gap between theoretical learning and
real-world application.
5.2 Conclusions
a noticeable gap between students' perceived learning and their ability to apply
22
5.3 Recommendations
challenges they might face in future jobs, helping them build problem-solving
where students can practice their technical skills beyond the required project
work. Having access to tools and guided practice sessions will allow them to
refine their abilities and gain more experience before moving on to real-world
applications.
make learning more enjoyable and interactive. For example, small group
project rather than just at the end. This approach ensures that students remain
professionals in their field can enhance their learning experience and provide
23
valuable insights into real-world applications. Schools should invite industry
mentors can share their experiences, offer technical advice, and provide career
firms should be organized so students can witness firsthand how their skills
are used in the workplace. These visits will allow students to see practical
applications of their learning and inspire them to strive for excellence in their
technical fields.
face in acquiring technical skills is the lack of access to necessary tools and
students can borrow technical tools for home practice. This will allow them to
practice at their own pace and improve their skills outside the classroom.
and possibly donated equipment. This collaboration can help bridge the
resource gap and provide students with the tools they need to succeed.
Assigning specific responsibilities to each group member will ensure that all
24
exercises and problem-solving challenges can enhance communication and
students to showcase their actual skills and ensure they can apply what they
students to evaluate their peers' work can provide valuable feedback and
25
REFERENCES
Honra, J. R., Monterola, S. L. C., & Yangco, R. T. (2024). Career-focused teaching and its
effects on students’ biology-technical-vocational-fused skills. International Journal of
Evaluation and Research in Education (IJERE), 13(5), 3427-3434.
Lin, C. S., Ma, J. T., Kuo, K. Y. C., & Chou, C. T. C. (2015). Examining the efficacy of
project-based learning on cultivating the 21st century skills among high school
students in a global context. Journal on School Educational Technology, 11(1), 1-9.
Rallos, A. G., Nanud, M. N., Ondoy, M. L., Ares, J. M., & Picardal, M. (2024). Exploring
Active Learning Strategies in Science among Senior High School STEM Learners and
Teachers. Science Education International, 35(4), 369-381.
APPENDIX A
Survey Questionnaire
APPENDIX B