Correlates of Learners’ Learning Behavior on the Use of Electronic Gadgets and Academic Performance of Baggao South District: A Basis for an Action Plan

Abstract

This study focuses on the learning behavior and academic performance of pupils in the three clustered schools of Baggao South District, specifically regarding their use of electronic gadgets. The goal is to develop an action plan to address the effects of electronic gadget use on their academic performance.

 The descriptive correlational design was employed in this investigation to determine the significant relationship between the learners’ learning behavior and the academic performance of the 282 pupils of the three clustered schools of the Baggao South District.

Findings highlighted the learners’ learning behaviors regarding the use of electronic gadgets, focusing on their strengths and difficulties, the academic performance of the participants, the relationship between the participants' learning behaviors on the use of electronic gadgets and their profile variables, and the correlation between the level of learning behaviors on the use of electronic gadgets and academic performance.

The study also revealed that the participants have a moderate degree on the use of educational platforms like YouTube and Facebook, but reported feeling they weren't very skilled in using devices. Social and emotional development was seen as the most concerning difficulty with gadget use, followed by distractions from social media and potential health problems. A significant correlation was found between age, gender, parents' income/employment, and students' agreement with statements about using gadgets for research and learning, difficulty with analytical skills due to app dependence, and health problems from gadget use. Furthermore, no significant link was found between these demographics and statements about social interaction and collaboration with gadgets and using gadgets for accessing educational resources. Meanwhile, there was a strong negative correlation between academic performance and difficulties with analytical skills and health problems caused by excessive gadget use.

Based on the results, recommendations for teachers, pupils and parents are provided to address the negative impact on the use of electronic gadgets to the learners. These include awareness campaigns on the use of gadgets, lectures or symposiums for pupils and parents.

 The study emphasizes the need to implement the action plan to address the negative impact on the use of electronic gadgets to the learners.