THE PERCEIPTION OF GRADE 11 STEM FIDELIS SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL

STUDENTS ON THE EMPWOERMENT TECHNOLOGY SUBJECT

GONZALES, Hanz Zuriel A., OLIVA, Neale John M., PITOGO, Jovi

e Ann C., REGINALDO, Karl Given J.

Fidelis Senior High School, First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities, Tanauan

City, Batangas

Introduction

Now, when people heard the word Empowerment Technology, the first thing that

comes in their minds are computers, not just computers but any other stuffs that includes

technology on it. In that sense, a computer and a mixing bowl are both human

technology(The Toy Maker Project, 2011). That is the most common misconception of

the public citizens. Empowerment Technology is not only mainly for computers but it is

also used for enhancing people’s communication and their very own ethics. This also

applies to how you handle things and how you keep in touch with your surroundings.

There is also the main root of this subject called Information Technology. Empowerment

Technology is more of a door to have at least an idea about Information Technology. This

subject also teaches on the steps of “Do’s and Don’ts” on computers but also our

professional ethics. It is a stepping stone for us, Grade 11 Students of Fidelis Senior High

School, to have a very strong foundation on Information Technology so that in the near
future we will be able to know the ropes of the subject it also changes people’s lifestyle

because studying this subject opens your eyes about the world, the true nature of the

world. Empowerment Technology or E-Tech often deals with the use of different

technologies such as mobile phones, telephone, computer, and other devices to locate,

save, communicate and to inform. Empowerment Technology is important for its

innovative uses is sufficient in our daily lives. There are three importance of

Empowerment Technology and these are for communication, to make our lives easier and

to help our country its modernization plans. (Manabat 2017)

Empowerment Technology is important since it makes our individual lives easier

in different aspects such as for school, matters, office or work matters and for our

individual matters. Before, blackboards and whiteboards are one of the tools used in

teaching students. Now, there are already LCD Projectors that is being used by many

institutions or schools nowadays. By the help of Empowerment Technology, teachers

made their lives easier through the use of these projectors and the students as well made

their lives easier in acquiring knowledge. Empowerment Technology is not just useful for

school matters, but it is also useful in an office or work matters and for personal matters

as well. For example, when you are ought to make a presentation. Since, technology has

evolved, we already have these presentation software’s such as Microsoft presentation,

Prezi, Lotus’ Freelance Graphics and etc. Without these presentation software’s we will

all still be stuck onto those visual aid presentations. Empowerment Technology doesn’t

just conserve time, but it can make our lives easier. This subject is important, without

Empowerment Technology we won’t have the things we have right now. Everything that
you see right now won’t exist. So, without it there will be a hindrance in our future’s

success in the field of technology.

Information Technology articles often include statements along these lines;

“systems development continues to be challenging. Problems regarding the cost,

timeliness, and quality of software products still exist”. This recognition justifies the

continuous search for improvement of Information System Development.(IJITSA

Inaugural Issue ,2008)

Empowerment Technology is being thought in school to create foundation in

understanding the world of ICT (Information and Communication Technologies),

understand and demonstrate the proper etiquette in using ICT and more. (De Lara, 2016)

The study is significant to students because it will help them to better understand

the importance of the subject. This will also help the faculty in terms of having better

ways on having more convenient and knowledgeable teaching of the subject. This will

also have the society in terms of expanding proper ethics using the subject. Lastly, it

would be significant to Information Technology Workers in terms of applying

Empowerment Technology in their daily lives as Information Technology laborers.

 In this study the researchers aim to know the perception of Grade 11 Fidelis

Senior Highschool Students on the empowerment technology subject in able for the

researchers to understand more about the importance of the said subject. This is not only

for us but also to people who will read the research paper.

The objectives of this study are the following:

I. To know the perceptions of Grade 11 Fidelis Senior Highschool Students

on the Empowerment Technology subject.

II. To help the people understand the importance and use of the said subject.

III. To make a proper call to action in regards with the perspectives of Grade

11 Fidelis Senior Highschool Students in regards with the topic.

METHOD

Research Design. The main purpose of this Case Study is to know the perception

of Grade 11 STEM Fidelis Senior High School student on the Empowerment Technology

Subject. This study is qualitative study, by its design will be accompanied through the use

of case study where researchers bound the certain perception or experience of participants

within the cases this description contributes as the final result for very essence of the

STEM Student regards with the case. By the use of case study, the respondents will

understand the importance of the Empowerment Technology and will know how can they

put in a real-life context (Changeworks.org.uk 2016). Also by using the case study, both

the respondents and researchers will know the complexity behind the topic. They will
know how to adapt and to extend or add strength to the existing idea through using the

previous research (Essaymin, 2018)

Participants of the study. To show the participants the meaning of this study. The

participants that will be involved in this study will be selected through the use of

purposive and quota sampling. The participants who will be chosen on this study would

be based on their traits and understanding about the Empowerment Technology subject.

Purposive and Quota sampling will be used to select the number of participants. The goal

of this sampling is to choose the right person who will be qualified in the criteria and

suitable and will be able to answer the research questions(Business Dictionary, 2019) The

person who will be interviewed or who will answer our questions will also gain an idea

about the study which will fulfill the purpose of the research paper. So, in order to

identify the participants who will be involved in this study, the inclusion criteria were

formulated as follow:

 A Grade 11 Fidelis Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics

student of First Asia Institute of Technology and Humanities

 Participant who studies and are involved in their activities on

Empowerment Technology.

 A student who is willing to share their perception in Empowerment

Technology.
The idea for these inclusion criteria is to produce unique experiences within Grade 11

Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics students with different perceptions

in Empowerment Technology. With this set, 15 students from Grade 11 Fidelis Science,

Technology, Engineering and Mathematics starting from STEM 11-A up to STEM 11-M

were invited to be the participants of this study.

The Following were the respondents:

1. Respondent A from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics A

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who is a decent performer in the said subject.

2. Respondent B from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics A

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who is a fan of computers.

3. Respondent C from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics B

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who use the help of the internet and his classmates for

coping in the said subject.

4. Respondent D from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics C

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who is aconsistent honor student.

5. Respondent E from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics C

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who always push his self to study and learn about

technologies.

6. Respondent F from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics D

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who has a strong foundation of knowledge about

computers.
7. Respondent G from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics E

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who loves to explore the computers.

8. Respondent H from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics G

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who loves designing different websites and web pages.

9. Respondent I from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics H for

Academic Year 2018-2019 who will pursue engineering in college.

10. Respondent J from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics I

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who loves to learn about the said subject.

11. Respondent K from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics J

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who don't have struggles in the subject

12. Respondent L from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics K

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who has a background in using and managing computers.

13. Respondent M from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics L

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who is an average student in the said subject.

14. Respondent N from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics M

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who is always exploring on different applications of

technologies.

15. Respondent O from Grade 11 Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics D

for Academic Year 2018-2019 who explore her own laptop and use it for learning about

the subject.
 Results

Theme one

The Empowerment Technology is Beneficial to STEM strand. The research

indicates that the Empowerment Technology subjects gives a lot of information and

knowledge for STEM students. It enhances their use of technology and it also maximizes

the benefits and possible outcomes not just for computers but for using it in other applied

subjects and work in support of its benefits.

"Para sakin ang empowerment technology subject ay, syempre involve dun yung

computer, so parang may nag, kailangan ma, ah dahil diba ay developing country naman

ngayon, normal na sa atin yung mga computer and dapat sa isang student, parang

required yon para maging mas advance din tayo sa technology. So diba ang

empowerment technology is yun nga is all about uhm computer about parang

nagkakaroon din ng communication yon."

The said subject’s plays a high role on the STEM student’s exploration within

their fields. It gives the students to show their skills and talents and lets them be more

creative. Since now, the 21st century relies mostly on the power of technology this also

applies and help them to handle technology with their very own knowledge. But the

Empowerment Technology and its purpose benefits not only the student skills and talent

to nurture them in their lives. This also benefits the critical thinking of the STEM

students and it won’t let their talents be in vain. {Insert reference} Aside from the skills

of STEM students in their chosen fields, they also learned how to manage and handle the
technology and also how they can improve their future with the support of technology. In

like with this. The testimony of STEM G student said that,

“so yun nga lalo sa excell is maraming ngayon sa nahihirapan na estudyante lalo

na sa excell uhm mag siguro mag reresearch pako for more formulas and iintindihin ko

iaapply ko lagi yung mga formulas na tinuturo samin e mas maganda kung yung mga

handson and practice naming na papasa yon samin para maalala and ma practice

naming kung pano ginagawa yon”

By the use of different techniques in technology, a student can make a good work

on his/her project. They are able to perform better through the use of techniques.

Learning the techniques and the step-by-step instructions and showing a good work

through the use of technology this allows a student to become flexible and able to master

the right use of methods of handling a technology. Students understand how to use them

and maximize its benefit in a good way. And understand how this subject can help them

in the new future. Students learns a lot of things such as web designing and the use of

excel and photoshop. STEM student said

“Insert STEM D, answer 2”

Theme two

Hindrances that STEM students encountered while studying the said subject

Using the technology and its application is difficult to use, especially when a student

doesn’t have a background nor experience on using computer. Worst case scenario is that

the students doesn’t have an access or he/she doesn’t have or owns a computer. This is a
major problem that the most students encounters. If they own a laptop or computers.

having an unstable internet connection is a problem as well. Not all students are blessed

to have such things. STEM student stated,

"Yung sa struggles muna wala kasi akong laptop so nahihirapan talaga ako na

makisabay dito, dito madaming may laptop. ah yung ano na lang siguro is yung tiyaga na

lang kasi yung manghiram ng laptop sa iba tas yon."

Another problem that the students encounters while studying the said subject is

that they have an academic problem on E-tech. Some students had some problem coping

up their current situation. They have no choice but to study hard and understand the

meaning of its lessons. {Insert reference about the problem of technology to students}.

Stem student D said that

"Ah yon dahil nga dati bumagsak ako kaya ang iniisip ko ang ginawa kong

paraan para maka cope up ako o kaya makasabay makahabol nagaral ako sa bahay

ginamit ko yung laptop namin nag aral ako ng mga application na tinuro sakin nung

teacher namin”

The technology itself is complicated when it comes to its function. When a

student encounters a new term or function. Its either the students know the new term or

they don’t know the new term. This makes them face a problem especially when it comes

to its hands-on activities. Some are getting left behind because of this reason. This makes

the student feel left alone on the topic, this generates stress for the students and also

makes them feel on easy. STEM student D2 said that,

 “Yon, yung struggles naman yung parang halimbawa, mayroong isang term na

ngayon ko lang na encounter, yun yung parang naging struggles ko na, "ala ano nga to?"

ganon, yung parang nag cocope up na lang ako sa pamamagitan nung magtanong ano

ng ba to or mag research kung para san bato, yung function.”

Empowerment Technology is not an easy subject it takes time for someone to

appreciate it teachings and lessons. One should take this subject seriously as we now live

in a world of modern era filled with technology. {Insert reference about sa problem ng

technology}.It takes time for this subject to bear fruits for the student but in the near

future. They can use and maximize the power of technology

Theme three

This theme is focused on the Perception of the Grade 11 Fidelis Senior

Highschool STEM students on the E-Tech and the use of computers.

Computers are known for its capability to do things beyond its unimaginable results. If

the technology is used in a right way this can benefit the student to make things better not

just for studies but for their daily lives as well. The 21st Century has been blessed with

power to create things with technology. Students view about this subject is mainly about

computers. {Insert reference about the perception of people on computers positive dapat}

STEM student I said that,

 "So dahil syempre, empowerment technology and since our lives now depends

somehow on technology. magagamit natin siya sa ating mga trabaho dahil as time goes

by mas nagiging involved yung technolgy sa mga, sa mga trabaho every individual"

The most common mistake about the perception of E-Tech is about computers.

But no, Ethics are also applied for the general idea of computers. The mishandling use of

computers is deadly as it in. People are always on the internet. That’s why this ethics

apply. Technology is not only about computers but for communication and ethics as well.

{reference about ethics of PC}. To support the idea that the students study not only

computers but also its ethics. STEM student C said,

"Ah it is ah subject in the stem strand that is all about technology and ah and

ethics of being ah worker in the field"

Another reason why the E-Tech subject is very useful on every field is that it is

very flexible. Not only for people or students who aspire to be an I.T major but for things

such as architect and engineering as well. [Reference for E-Tech why it is important}.

Students refers to it as that the subject is important and can be applied to every field.

STEM student G stated that,

“Uhm empowerment technology para sakin uhm maganda siyang subject lalo na

sa ating stem students because hindi lang naman tayo yung basta about engineering or

technology so kailangan din natoing matuto sa mga website or uhm other online and

even design para sa magagamit natin sa trabaho natin”

The general idea for this theme is that the lessons that can be learned from this

subject is important. We live in a modern Era filled with technology. It is common for us
to rely on its capabilities and power. This augments to us in every single way to be

successful. Not just in studies and work but for entertainment as well. This subject t can

help us to be more knowledgeable when it comes to computers {insert reference about

the general things on how technology help us}