A Comparative Study between

Peer Learning and

Independent Learning of
Grade 12 STEM Students of
Cebu City National Science
High School Sienes, Pauline Christelle P.
Vailoces, Lady Jewel M.
Tejano, Trisha Diane M.
Estella, Reich Alexei A.
Oroc, Camilo Jr. B
Rationale
Ever since the early ages, education has always been a vital
component of human society until now. Learning method
preference plays a significant role in education. In Cebu City
National Science High School, Independent learning is one of the
learning styles incorporated within the campus. As the top level
of the Senior High School, the Grade 12-year level is known to
be quite a struggle for the students. Choosing the correct
learning method and using them well is vital at this point in
time.The study aims to determine which learning method
(Independent learning or Peer learning) is more effective in
Grade 12 students of Cebu City National Science High School.
Theoretical and Conceptual Framework

 Learning through individual perseverance versus learning

with peers has brought upon question as to how
information is being processed and demonstrated.

 Five main theories of learning by Reeve, C.

• Behaviourism
• Cognitivism
• Constructivism
• Experimentalism
• Social and Contextual Theory
 Lev Vygotsky’s Social Development Theory

This theory states that a potential of cognitive learning is

dependent upon that “zone of proximal development” or the ZPD
which means that full development depends upon fully immersing
oneself to social interaction. On the other hand, independent
learning allows students to gain knowledge at their own pace which
means that efficiency is at higher rate. Researchers of this study
hypothesize a connection of the innate human competitiveness to
the said learning theories. Therefore, the difference between
independent learning as compared to learning through social or
peer groups bring about a significant outcome when it comes to
gaining knowledge.
 Social Development Theory
By: Lev Vygotsky’s

Grade 12 Students

Peer Learning Independent Learning

Survey

15-Item Exam

Learning Style that is more

effective
 Methodology
 Research Design
This research employed a quantitative research method that uses scores and ratings on
each question under each category.

 Research Respondents
The proponents randomly chose 40 students from the STEM strand (Science, Technology,
Engineering and Mathematics).

 Research Instrument
This study utilized a questionnaire that was published and illustrated from the MSA
reviewer, which contains different category of subjects and review examinations in order
to have enough credibility on the questions in the questionnaire. The survey that was used
was based from the Perceptual Learning Style Preference Questionnaire by Joy Reid.
 Research Data Gathering and Procedure
1. Gathering of Review Questionnaire
2. Method of Data Collection
3. Method of Data Analysis

 Statistical Treatment of Data

1. Sample Size
2. Statistical Mean
3. Standard Deviation
4. Variance
5. Percentage
 Specifically, this study aims to answer the following questions:

1. At an average, what learning style, independent or peer, does the

batch tell as their preference?

2. The rate of efficiency of the methods.

3. After the results compare (most preferably match), the researchers will
identify which learning method, independent or peer, yields a result that
shows a more effective learning style?
 Summary of findings
 The data collected showed that independent learning is
the more preferred method of learning style of the Grade
12 STEM students of Cebu City National Science High
School. The survey and questionnaire was given to and
answered by 40 randomly chosen Grade 12 STEM students.
The mean, variance and standard deviation was used to
test if there is a significant difference between the two
learning styles. It was found out that the mean average
score for peer learning was significantly larger than the
score for independent learning by 1.
Conclusion

Independent learning was the more preferred learning

style based on the survey. However, upon comparing the
mean scores of the independent learners and peer learners
to the given questionnaire, it showed that peer learners
scored larger by 1. Therefore, peer learning is a more
effective learning style than independent learning even
though independent learning is more preferred.
Recommendation

The proponents of this study recommended to

increase the sample size in order to yield more
accurate and precise results. It is also
recommended by the proponents to give a
significant topic to be studied by the respondents in
their preferred method of learning. After which,
they will be then tested to answer a questionnaire
related to the topic to acquire more reliable data.
Tables and diagrams
Category Mean (μ) Variance (σ2) Standard Deviation (s²)

Peer Learning 3.40 0.37 0.38

Independent Learning 3.66 0.25 0.26

Table 1. The Mean, Variance, and Standard Deviation of the scores of the students.

Based on the results, it can be interpreted that most of students chose Independent
Learning as their preferred learning style than Peer Learning. This indicates that
most of the students prefer studying alone without the distractions of any people,
can learn best when they are alone, can easily remember information by themselves,
can understand a material best when they learn it alone, and make better progress
when they work alone.
 Figure 1. Percentage of the overall respondents from the whole data

The graph shows the percentage of students who prefer Peer

Learning, Independent Learning, and Both. The following
percentages are as follows: 52.5% prefer Independent Learning,
37.5% prefer Peer Learning and 10% prefer both.
 Category Mean (μ)

Peer Learners 10

Independent Learners 9

Table 2. Mean of the Scores in the exam

Based on the data, it shows that the average score of the Peer Learners
which 10 is greater compared to the scores of the Independent Learner
which is 9. This means that the performance of the Peer Learners is
higher compared to the Independent Learners.
Figure 2. The Percentage of the Peer Learners with their scores according to their rate in the exam.
53.33% got a score of 80% out of 15.
33.33% got 75%, and <75% got a score 13.33 percent out of 15.
Figure 3. The Percentage of the Independent Learners with their scores acording to their rate in the exam.
66 67% of Independent learners got scores of <75% out of 15.
19.05% got 85% ,4.76% got 80%, and 9.52% got 75% out of 15.
 Figure 4. The percentage of the students who prefer both Peer
Learning and Independent Learning with their scores according to their
rate in the exam