Why Structured Instruction Matters: A Comparative Effect of Four Instructional Models on Mathematics Achievement in Printed Modular Distance Learning

The COVID-19 pandemic made substantial changes in educational delivery, prompting the Philippine public school system to implement printed modular distance learning to maintain instructional continuity. Prior studies have examined modular learning outcomes; however, empirical studies comparing instructional models within a fully printed modular approach are limited. Addressing this gap, the study examined the comparative effect of four instructional models, 5A, 5E, explicit direct instruction, and Gagné’s nine events of instruction, on Grade 10 students’ mathematics achievement within a printed modular learning environment. Using a quasi-experimental design, the study involved 80 Grade 10 students from four public junior high schools in northern Cebu, Philippines. Instructional modules aligned with each model were developed and administered, followed by a summative assessment to measure students’ achievement. The results of a one-way analysis of variance revealed statistically significant differences in achievement across the instructional models (F(3, 76) = 17.40, p < .001), with post hoc results indicating that Gagné’s nine events of instruction resulted in significantly higher student performance than the other approaches. Qualitative findings from student reflections further showed that clear explanations, guided practice, and structured feedback were important in the modular context. These findings contribute theoretically by reinforcing the role of structured instructional sequencing in self-directed learning and provide practical implications for the design of printed mathematics modules in low or no-connectivity learning settings.