Abstract
This study aimed to determine the factor structure of teacher’s innovative teaching strategies in the normal through Exploratory Sequential Design. This exploratory sequential mixed methods approach was utilized that started with the qualitative phase then followed by the quantitative data collection and analysis. More specifically, it aimed to construct a scale in a sample of teachers. In the qualitative phase, there were ten (10) high school teachers who participated in the in-depth interview and seven (7) high school teachers participated in the focus group discussion. The findings revealed that there were five (5) themes that emerged from the lived experiences of teachers on the use of innovative teaching strategies in the new normal. These themes were motivational strategies, planning, communication, technology utilization, and upgrading of professional skills. Moreover, all 321 teachers from the Municipality of Makilala have been selected as respondents in the quantitative phase. Meanwhile, the data were analyzed using the thematic analysis and exploratory factor analysis (EFA). The results showed that a total of three themes have emerged in the qualitative findings that put emphasis on motivational strategies, planning, and communication. Factor 1 put emphasis on motivational strategies with 16 items retained. Factor 2 represented planning where 14 items were retained while factor 3 highlighted communication with 4 items retained. A total of 34 items made it to the final version of the instrument.
Keywords: Innovative, Teaching Strategies, New Normal, Exploratory Sequential Design, Municipality of Makilala, Philippines