Comic Strips as Instructional Materials in Teaching and Academic Achievement in Araling Panlipunan of Grade 7 Students

Global education trends indicate that traditional teaching methods often fail to meet the diverse needs of students, particularly in conveying abstract concepts in subjects such as social studies. In the Philippines, this challenge is evident in Araling Panlipunan, where conventional instruction struggles to maintain student interest and promote deep understanding. This study explored the effectiveness of using comic strips as a teaching tool to enhance engagement and academic performance among Grade 7 students. Using a quasi-experimental design, one group used comic strips while the control group followed traditional methods. Results showed that students exposed to comic strips achieved significantly higher post-test scores, indicating improved comprehension and engagement. The comic strips were evaluated for content, relevance, and presentation using a validated instrument. Findings confirmed that visual and interactive tools, such as comic strips, can enrich learning experiences. The study recommends expanding comic content and integrating interactive features to foster critical thinking and sustained interest in Araling Panlipunan.