Metacognitive Strategies: Instructional Approaches in Teaching and Learning of Basic Calculus

Abstract

The purpose of the study is to determine the effectiveness of the metacognitive strategies as instructional approaches in teaching and learning of Basic Calculus. A number of 48 students consisting of 24 boys and 24 girls were purposively sampled in this study. Pretest-posttest quasi experimental research design was used which applied t-test and descriptive statistics. Both groups were subject to two instruments that were comprised of problem-solving test (pretest and posttest) and observation guide. Experimental group was taught Basic Calculus using metacognitive strategies while the control group was taught Basic Calculus using traditional teaching strategies. Both groups were subject to a pretest. Class observation was done while the two teaching strategies were applied. In the end, the posttest was administered to both groups to identify the effectiveness of the two teaching strategies. The data gathered were treated using paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test. The results of the study showed that the experimental group had significantly higher posttest scores as compared to control group which proved that metacognitive teaching strategies were more effective in improving the performance and problem-solving skills of the students than the traditional teaching strategies. It was also observed that students who taught using metacognitive strategies helped the students to be extremely engaged in Basic Calculus lessons cognitively, behaviorally, and affectively. The study reveals that the significant increase of the students' learning engagement in Basic Calculus lessons led the students to a corresponding increase in their posttest scores.