Android-Based Inquiry Activities on Gas Laws Using Smart Apps Creator for Grade 10 Learners

Abstract

Science education in the Philippines encounters notable difficulties, especially in the field of physics, where students often find it hard to grasp complex concepts like the Gas Laws. A major factor contributing to this struggle is the reliance on traditional teaching methods, which predominantly involve passive learning techniques. These approaches fail to actively engage students, making it harder for them to connect with and understand the material. Moreover, the scarcity of resources, such as modern equipment and teaching aids, further exacerbates the problem. As a result, students' interest in the subject wanes, leading to a decline in their academic performance and overall achievement in physics. To improve the situation, there is a clear need for more dynamic and interactive teaching strategies that encourage student participation, alongside better access to educational resources. Hence, this study dives into the creation of Android-based inquiry activities, aimed at teaching the intriguing concepts of Gas Laws. It incorporates PhET simulations which transform abstract concepts into interactive, visually-rich experiences. The development journey followed the Successive Approximation Model (SAM) framework, with feedback from Content and ICT validators, fueling multiple versions of the physics learning material The developed android-inquiry activities received a “Very Good” rating from the learners with an increment of learning 0.52 corresponding to moderate normalized gain indicating that the android-based learning material successfully covers relevant aspects of the curriculum. The Android-based inquiry activities on Gas Laws significantly improved Grade 10 STEM students' performance, raising their achievement from "did not meet expectations" to "very satisfactory." Both content and ICT experts rated it as "satisfactory," while students found it "very useful," highlighting its positive impact on learning. Therefore, this study highlights the potential of these Android-inquiry activities to turn Gas Laws into a captivating and digestible topic.