Learning with the Community: A Community-based Workbook for the Literacy Training Service

Abstract

Aims: The COVID-19 pandemic has transformed educational delivery, highlighting the need for instructional materials that promote active learning and community engagement despite remote or flexible modalities. This study aimed to develop a community-based instructional workbook for the Literacy Training Service (LTS) to strengthen the link between learning and community engagement in the context of the new normal. The workbook was designed to support citizenship training and community involvement in higher education. Study Design: Descriptive research was employed and a survey questionnaire was used to assess the literacy training service workbook. Place and Duration of Study: Ilocos Sur Polytechnic State College, College of Teacher Education, conducted in one semester (6 months). Methodology: A quantitative-descriptive research design was employed; the workbook was evaluated by five subject-matter experts and fifty-one students using a structured survey questionnaire. Data were analyzed to determine the materials’ validity, acceptability, and suitability for literacy instruction. Results: Results showed that experts confirmed the workbook’s strong content and construct validity, particularly regarding its activities and instructional strategies, while students reported high acceptance, noting alignment with their skills and learning capacities. Recommendations include improving technical features such as layout, design, and graphical presentation to enhance usability. The study also suggests developing similar instructional materials for other components of the National Service Training Program (NSTP) to ensure consistent quality and effective implementation. Conclusion: The workbook is a valid and acceptable instructional tool for promoting community-based learning in the new normal.