Towards an Experiential Learner-Centered Education Framework for Grade Seven Mathematics Curriculum
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.69569/jip.2026.435xKeywords:
Experiential learning, Learner-centered education, Mathematics curriculum, Mathematics education, Descriptive researchAbstract
The current junior high school curriculum in the Philippines, the revised K-12 curriculum, explicitly promotes learner-centered education (LCE) by emphasizing pedagogical strategies, particularly experiential learning. This study sought to assess the extent of the implementation of experiential learning approaches, namely (1) abstract conceptualization, (2) active experimentation, (3) concrete experience, and (4) reflective observation. This study used a quantitative descriptive research approach. Thirty-five (35) grade seven learners in a private school were the respondents. Findings revealed that the experiential learning approaches are significant in addressing learner-centered education as perceived by the learners: abstract conceptualization, active experimentation, concrete experience, and reflective observation. A framework was proposed in this study to maintain the significance of the learning approaches towards an experiential learner-centered education. Emphasizing learners’ engagement, future research should investigate activities implemented that are less engaging and explore ways to optimize hands-on learning methods for diverse learners, particularly in group settings. They could also identify factors that explain why students show less enthusiasm for problem analysis and explore strategies to foster deeper engagement in mathematical reasoning.
Downloads
References
Agustan, J.D., & Siswono, T.Y.E. (2017). Profile of male-field dependent (FD) prospective teacher’s reflective thinking in solving contextual mathematical problem. AIP Conference Proceedings, 1867, 020034–1. https://doi.org/10.1063/1.4994437
Asiro, A. (2020). Experiential learning theory. Theoretical Models for Teaching and Research. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/3b6xyasn
Baroody, A. (2017). The use of concrete experiences in early childhood mathematics instruction. Advances in Child Development and Behavior, 53, 43–89. https://doi.org/10.1016/bs.acdb.2017.03.001
Bui, P.U., Duong, H.T., & Nguyen, B.L. (2022). The effectiveness of experiential learning in teaching arithmetic and geometry in sixth grade. Frontiers in Education, 7, 858631. https://doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.858631
Burns, M., Pierson, E., & Reddy, S. (2014). Working together: How teachers teach and students learn in collaborative learning environments. International Journal of Instruction, 7(1), 17–32. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=EJ1085240
Butler, M., Church, K., & Spencer, A. (2019). Do, reflect, think, apply: Experiential education in accounting. Journal of Accounting Education, 48, 12–21. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jaccedu.2019.05.001
Chesimet, M.C., Githua, B.N., & Ng’eno, J.K. (20). Effects of experiential learning approach on students’ mathematical creativity among secondary school students of Kericho East Sub-County, Kenya. International Journal of Humanities and Social Science Research. https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1112801.pdf
Department of Education. (2013). Republic Act No. 10533: Enhanced Basic Education Act of 2013. https://www.deped.gov.ph
Department of Education. (2023). MATATAG Mathematics Curriculum Guide Grades 1-10. https://www.deped.gov.ph
Felipe, A.C. (2025). Contextualized learning in teaching mathematics. International Journal of Research Publication and Reviews, 6(3), 2387–2397. https://ijrpr.com/uploads/V6ISSUE3/IJRPR39873.pdf
Hasanah, N.R., Turmudi, & Juandi, D. (2024). Systematic literature review: Students’ reflective thinking skills in mathematics learning. (2025). Catha Saintifica, 2(2), 107–116. https://doi.org/10.32699/cathasaintifica.v2i2.7093
Khadka, J., Joshi, D.R., Adhikari, K.P., & Khanal, B. (2022). Learner-centered instruction: Teachers’ practice in online mathematics classes during the pandemic. International Journal of Instruction, 15(3), 833–853. https://doi.org/10.29333/iji.2022.15345a
Kolb, A.Y., & Kolb, D.A. (2017). The experiential educator: Principles and practices of experiential learning. New Directions for Adult and Continuing Education, 153, 37–47.
Kong, Y. (2021). The role of experiential learning on students’ motivation and classroom engagement. Frontiers in Psychology. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2021.771272
National Council of Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM). (2020). Principles to actions: Ensuring mathematical success for all. https://www.nctm.org/Standards-and-Positions/Principles-to-Actions/
Okabe, M. (2013). Where does Philippine education go? The "K to 12" program and reform of Philippine basic education. IDE Discussion Paper No. 425. https://ideas.repec.org/p/jet/dpaper/dpaper425.html
Philippine Journal of Education Studies. (2024). Curriculum and learner-centered education. Retrieved from https://educ.upd.edu.ph/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/PJES-DOI-04162024.pdf
Reyes, J., Insorio, A., Ingreso, M.L., Hilario, F., & Gutiérrez, C. (2017). Conception and application of contextualization in mathematics education. International Journal of Research in Education and Science, 3(1), 45–54. https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/664590
Stroock, D. (2024). The central limit theorem. In Probability Theory, An Analytic View (pp. 51–100). Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/9781009549035.004
Unimrkt Research. (2023). An expert's guide to successful quantitative descriptive research. Retrieved from https://tinyurl.com/ytyrs2d2
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License.
JIP is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. Under the Open Access Policy, appropriate attribution can be provided by simply citing the original article.
