Critical Thinking and Deliberative Dialogue in Grade 10 Araling Panlipunan Classes

This study examines deliberative dialogue as a pedagogy for enhancing critical-thinking skills among Grade 10 students in Araling Panlipunan. It assesses students’ level of critical thinking, determines the extent of their exposure to deliberative dialogue, and analyzes the relationship between these variables. It also explores teachers’ perceptions of the challenges in implementing deliberative dialogue and develops a teaching guide that integrates this strategy into Araling Panlipunan instruction. Correspondingly, a mixed-methods design is employed, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to investigate the relationship between exposure to deliberative dialogue and students’ critical-thinking skills. Data are collected using a researcher-made questionnaire and focus group discussions (FGDs). Statistical analyses include the weighted mean, standard deviation, and Pearson’s r to interpret quantitative data, while thematic analysis is used to derive qualitative insights. Findings indicate that Grade 10 students in CD4 PRISAB schools demonstrate moderate exposure to deliberative dialogue and a corresponding moderate level of critical thinking. Results show that students exhibit limited abilities in self-expression, critical engagement, and reflective participation during deliberative discussions. Similarly, lower performance in critical-thinking indicators is observed in independent and reflective domains, particularly in questioning, drawing conclusions, and identifying bias. A significant relationship is found between the two major variables. The study identifies key challenges in implementing deliberative dialogue, including students’ lack of confidence, fear of judgment, limited comprehension, uneven participation, time constraints, and a tendency to provide opinion-based rather than evidence-based responses. The study concludes by proposing a teaching guide to support the effective integration of deliberative dialogue into Araling Panlipunan instruction and foster critical thinking.

Deliberative Dialogue, Critical Thinking, Araling Panlipunan

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