Needs Analysis: Development of a Contextualized Socioscientific Issues (SSI)-Based Module for Enhancing Conceptual Understanding of the Digestive System in Health Science Education

Authors

  • Johaina A. Lawa Graduate Student, Department of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Education, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines Author
  • Vanjoreeh A. Madale Department of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Education, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-0229-755X
  • Monera A. Salic-Hairulla Department of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Education, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines Author https://orcid.org/0009-0002-9535-2465
  • Arlyn R. Alcopra Department of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Education, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines Author https://orcid.org/0009-0003-9682-4433
  • Joy R. Magsayo Department of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Education, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines Author https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6853-4939
  • Ariel O. Ellare Department of Science and Mathematics Education, College of Education, Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology, Iligan City, Philippines Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.56294/mw2025706

Keywords:

Socio-Scientific Issues (SSI), Digestive System, Health Science Education, Module Development, Science Pedagogy

Abstract

Introduction: teaching the digestive system presents persistent challenges for science educators, particularly in promoting conceptual understanding and student engagement. Socio-scientific issue (SSI)-based instruction offers a promising approach by contextualizing biological content within real-world issues. This study aimed to develop a contextualized SSI-based module for Grade 8 science instruction on the digestive system.
Methods: guided by the first three phases of the 4D Model—Define, Design, and Develop—the study employed a mixed-methods design. Five junior high school science teachers participated in a needs assessment to identify instructional gaps and content difficulties. Based on these findings, an SSI-based instructional module was designed and developed. The module was then subjected to expert validation using a standardized evaluation rubric.
Results: the needs assessment revealed students’ conceptual difficulties, especially in visualizing internal digestive processes, and highlighted teachers’ limited familiarity with SSI-based strategies. The developed module integrated socio-scientific contexts such as nutrition, lifestyle diseases, and food-related decision-making. Expert evaluation rated the module as "Very Satisfactory," with a mean score of 2.67 out of 3 across all criteria, indicating strong alignment with curricular standards and learner needs.
Conclusion: the study demonstrates that contextualized SSI-based instruction can enhance the relevance and pedagogical quality of lessons on the digestive system. The module offers a promising tool for bridging conceptual understanding with real-life applications and supports the integration of critical thinking and ethical reasoning in science education.

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Published

2025-07-07

How to Cite

1.
Lawa JA, Madale VA, Salic-Hairulla MA, Alcopra AR, Magsayo JR, Ellare AO. Needs Analysis: Development of a Contextualized Socioscientific Issues (SSI)-Based Module for Enhancing Conceptual Understanding of the Digestive System in Health Science Education. Seminars in Medical Writing and Education [Internet]. 2025 Jul. 7 [cited 2025 Aug. 15];4:706. Available from: https://mw.ageditor.ar/index.php/mw/article/view/706