Development and Validation of Interactive Multimedia Software for Teaching Maritime English

This study aimed to develop and validate an interactive learning package in teaching and learning Maritime English. The study followed the research and development (R&D) design. Its main objective was to develop and validate an interactive learning package, composed of learning materials and interactive software to be used in teaching Maritime English. There were five phases involved in the methodology of the study. The first phase was the Design Phase that included: (a) needs assessment of the subject through gathering of materials to be used, background information, and utilization of accumulated experiences; and (b) revision of the existing syllabus based on the needs assessment. The second phase was the Content Development Phase that involved the following steps (a) needs analysis; (b) identifying the scope of the content of the material based on the revised syllabus that covers the designing of lesson exemplars; (c) review of the content. After developing the content, System Development Phase followed which utilized the initial phases of Rapid Application Development (RAD) namely: (a) requirements planning, where the gathering of data was done; (b) user design, that conceptualized the storyline and features to be established; (c) construction, where the actual development happened; and the fourth phase (d) field try-out which covered the following stages: (a) preparation of table of specifications; (b) construction of the pre-test and posttest instrument; (c) administration of the pre-test; (d) try-out of the material; (e) feedback gathering; (f) analysis of feedback; and (g) administration of the post-test. Lastly, the revision phase focused on the (a) modification; and (b) final revision of the material. While there are software materials for teaching Maritime English that are produced and are available in the world markets, there is, however, a dearth of IMMS that are actually attuned to the needs of Filipino maritime students in developing and enhancing their competence in Maritime English. This study, therefore, addresses this need for interactive multimedia software that may be used in the teaching and learning of Maritime English.