The effects of conceptual change texts accompanied with animations on overcoming 11th grade students’ alternative conceptions of chemical bonding

This paper aims to determine the effect of conceptual change texts accompanied with computer animations on 11th grade students’ understanding and alternative conceptions related to chemical bonding. One experimental group (EG; N = 28) and one comparison group (CG; N = 30) were used in the study. While the comparison group taught traditional instruction, the experimental group received conceptual change text accompanied with computer animations instruction. Chemical bonding achievement test was applied as pre-test, post-test and delayed test to collect data. The results of the study indicated that while there is no statistically significant difference between groups in pre-test, performance of EG students is greater than the CG ones in post-test and delayed test. And also, the EG students are better in remediating their alternative conceptions related to chemical bonding. Based on the study, it is concluded that conceptual change texts combined with computer animations can be effective instructional tools to improve students’ conceptual understanding of chemical concepts.     

The effect of computer-assisted teaching on remedying misconceptions: The case of the subject “probability”

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of computer-assisted teaching (CAT) on remedying misconceptions students often have regarding some probability concepts in mathematics. Toward this aim, computer-assisted teaching materials were developed and used in the process of teaching. Within the true-experimental research method, a pre- and post-test control group study was carried out with 37 seventh-grade students-18 in the experimental group (CAT) and 19 in the control group (traditional teaching). A 12-item instrument, made up of 4 items related to each of the concepts “Probability Comparisons (PC),” “Equiprobability (E),” and “Representativeness (R),” was developed and implemented with the participants. After the teaching intervention, the same instrument was again administered to both groups as a post-test. In light of the findings, it can be concluded that computer-assisted teaching was significantly more effective than traditional methods in terms of remedying students’ misconceptions.     

The effect of GeoGebra software–supported mathematics instruction on eighth-grade students' conceptual understanding and retention

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of using dynamic geometry software (GeoGebra) on the eighth-grade students' conceptual understanding and the retention of learning regarding linear equations and slope. In this study, a quasi-experimental design with pre-test, post-test and delayed post-test was employed. This study was conducted with 52 eighth-grade Turkish students (experimental group, n = 25; control group, n = 27). While GeoGebra software-supported instruction was carried out in the experimental group, textbook-based direct instruction was continued in the control group. Data were collected with the conceptual understanding test (CUT) which consists of 38 questions including open-ended, multiple choice and fill in the blanks. CUT was applied to the experimental and control groups as a pre-test and post-test at both the beginning and the end of the instruction, respectively. Seven weeks after the instruction, CUT was applied to both groups as a retention test. Data were analysed through SPSS 17.0 statistical software by using a t-test and ANCOVA test. It was indicated in the study results that GeoGebra software-supported instruction for eighth-grade students regarding linear equations and slope did significantly improve both their conceptual understanding and retention of learning in comparison to textbook-based direct instruction.     

Web-supported effective human rights,democracy and citizenship education?

The aim of the study is to investigate the possible effect of web-supported teaching on students' academic achievement in Human Rights, Democracy and Citizenship Education. To examine weather web-supported instruction would make a difference in attainment level of the subjects, a mixed method research design i.e. focus group interview and Solomon-four-group experimental design was employed. Solomon design contains two extra control groups to the experimental design, which serve to reduce the influence of confounding variables and allow researchers to test whether the pre-test itself has an effect on the subjects. An achievement test designed for this study was employed to collect data on dependent measures. After subjecting experimental group students to a 12-week-long web-supported learning, the same test (as post-test) was applied to all control and experiment groups in both universities, 8 in total. The data was analyzed by using t test and one-way ANOVA. There was no statistically significant difference between experimental and control groups in achievement post-test scores.     

The effect of inquiry-based explorations in a dynamic geometry environment on sixth grade students’ achievements in polygons

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of using a dynamic geometry environment (DGE) together with inquiry-based explorations on the sixth grade students’ achievements in polygons and congruency and similarity of polygons. Two groups of sixth grade students were selected for this study: an experimental group composed of 66 students (34 boys and 32 girls); and a control group composed of 68 students (35 boys and 33 girls). The students in the experimental group taught with a DGE, while the students in the control group received textbook-based direct instruction. An achievement test was administered as pre-test, post-test, and delayed post-test in both groups. Qualitative data were collected through videotaped classroom observations. The results showed that the DGE together with open-ended explorations significantly improved students’ performances in polygons and congruency and similarity of polygons. Furthermore, students in the experimental group showed greater interest and motivation toward learning geometry compared to those in the control group whom often showed lack of interest and curiosity. Also, students’ comments and interpretations during lessons and tests were more accurate and advanced in the experimental group as they engage more in the DGE. Moreover, qualitative data suggested that boys showed greater interest in the computer-based learning environment than girls in the experimental groups although no significant gender effect on achievement was found.     

Variability in reading ability gains as a function of computer-assisted instruction method of presentation

This study examines the effects on early reading skills of three different methods of presenting material with computer-assisted instruction (CAI): (1) learner-controlled picture menu, which allows the student to choose activities, (2) linear sequencer, which progresses the students through lessons at a pre-specified pace, and (3) mastery-based adaptive sequencer, which progresses students through lessons based on whether or not the student has mastered the given skill. Preschool- and kindergarten-aged children (n = 183) were randomly assigned to one of the three CAI groups and spent 40 min a week, for 13 weeks, using the software program in a computer lab. An additional control group of students attending typical preschool or kindergarten received no CAI. ANCOVA results examining post-test reading ability sum score, covarying pre-test score, indicated that the mastery-based sequencer group significantly outperformed the learner-control and control groups, but was not statistically different from the linear sequence group. Analysis by task, rather than overall reading score, revealed significantly better performance for the linear sequence group over controls and picture menu group on the Initial Sound Fluency task, while the mastery-based sequencer group outperformed all three other groups on Non Word Fluency. In sum, these results suggest that the use of a sequencer is a very important element in presenting computerized reading content for young children.     

Efficiency of learning environment using GeoGebra when calculus contents are learned in collaborative groups

In this paper we present a modern approach of teaching mathematics based on the computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) of calculus contents. The collaborative learning was used in calculus course at the University of Novi Sad, Serbia, for examining functions and drawing their graphs. In 2012 the authors decided to improve the collaborative learning introducing GeoGebra application. Small four member groups were formed by using Kagan's (1994) principles. Two groups of students, the experimental, and the control one were observed. The students in the experimental group learned with the help of GeoGebra, and the students in the control group learned without using GeoGebra.Comparison between those two groups of the first year calculus students, regarding their way of learning and the results achieved, is described below. Before the students' collaborative learning, they were tested with a pre-test and their knowledge necessary for examining functions was verified. The pre-test showed that there was no significant statistical difference between the experimental and the control group. The experimental group worked with the help of the computer and the control one without it. After the collaborative learning, the students were tested with a test (colloquium) and the results of the experimental group were significantly better than the results of students in the control group. At the end of the course the students did their exams (post-test), and the results of the experimental group were significantly better than the results of students in the control group.Some students from the experimental group had to answer questions in an interview related to the use of GeoGebra during their collaborative learning. In order to see the students' difficulties in solving problems, students in the experimental group were asked to cross out incorrect parts of solutions, not to erase them. The teachers reviewed the students' tasks done during the collaborative learning and after that the students who had corrected their mistakes were invited for an interview about using GeoGebra for overcoming their difficulties. Based on the students' results in the tests, answers in the questionnaire and in the interview, it can be concluded that GeoGebra has enabled an easier learning of this material. The GeoGebra package enables the students to check whether each step in the process of solving a task was correctly done or not. The results of our research show that GeoGebra can help those students having insufficient knowledge (necessary for solving those tasks) to improve it.We can say that our research shows that the students' learning achievement in examining functions and drawing their graphs is better when they use GeoGebra, working in collaborative groups than without using it. Also, GeoGebra enables creation of effective learning environment for examining functions and drawing their graphs.     

Using computer algebra systems in mathematical classrooms

Abstract This paper describes a research whose main focus is the use of Computer Algebra Systems (CAS) in mathematical classrooms and the didactical possibilities linked with its use. The possibilities of integrating Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) within the CAS environment are brought into focus. Forty-three Israeli students (mean age 13.3) were assigned to two learning algebraic groups. The first group received explicit meta-cognitive SRL with CAS (CAS + SRL); the second group was exposed to CAS without SRL (CAS). Empirical results from the experimental and case study designs revealed that (CAS + SRL) students outperformed (CAS) students on algebraic thinking and that (CAS + SRL) students regulated their learning more effectively.     

Lasting effects on literacy skills with a computer-assisted learning using syllabic units in low-progress readers

This study examines the effects of a computer-assisted learning (CAL) program in which syllabic units were highlighted inside words in comparison with a CAL program in which the words were not segmented, i.e. one requiring whole word recognition. In a randomised control trial design, two separate groups of French speaking poor readers (2 * 14) in first grade were constituted. They were matched on a range of reading measures and non verbal intelligence and trained intensively over a short period (10 h over a period of 5 weeks). Three tasks were proposed using a classical pre-test/training/post-test design, written word recognition, word reading aloud and word spelling. In addition, three post-test sessions were conducted: one just after training, one after 4 months, and a last one after 9 months. The experimental group trained with the CAL using syllabic units outperformed the control group using CAL with whole word recognition in all the three tasks and there were important lasting effects. The results are discussed in the light of the self-teaching hypothesis and phonological recoding.     

Effects of computer-assisted instruction on performance of senior high school biology students in Ghana

This study investigated the comparative efficiency of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) and conventional teaching method in biology on senior high school students. A science class was selected in each of two randomly selected schools. The pretest-posttest non equivalent quasi experimental design was used. The students in the experimental group learned science concepts (cell cycle) through the CAI, whereas the students in the control group were taught the same concepts by the conventional approach. The conventional approach consisted of lecture, discussions and question and answer teaching methods. Mann–Whitney U tests were used to analyze students’ pretest and posttests scores. The results indicated that students that were instructed by the conventional approach performed better on the posttest than those instructed by the CAI. However, the performance of low achievers within the experimental group improved after they were instructed by the CAI. Even though the CAI group did not perform better than the conventional approach group, the students in the CAI group perceived CAI to be interesting when they were interviewed.     

Effect of animation enhanced conceptual change texts on 6th grade students’ understanding of the particulate nature of matter and transformation during phase changes

In this study, the effect of animation enhanced conceptual change texts (CCT–CA) on grade 6 students’ understanding of the particulate nature of matter (PNM) and transformation during the phase changes was investigated. A quasi-experimental design and one control group (CG, N = 25) and one experimental group (EG, N = 26) were used. While the control group taught traditional instruction, the experimental group received CCT–CA instruction. Two different tests, The Particulate Nature of Matter Concept Test (ParNoMaC) and The Transformation of Matter Statement Test (ToMaSaT), were administered as pretest, posttest and delayed test to collect data. Results indicate that while there is no statistically significant difference between groups in pretest, performance of EG students is greater than the CG ones in posttest and delayed test. And also, the EG students are better in remediating their alternative conceptions related to the PNM and transformations during the phase changes. Based on the study, it is concluded that CCT–CA combination may be effective way to improve students’ understanding of basic science and chemical concepts.     

The added value of a gaming context and intelligent adaptation for a mobile learning application for vocabulary learning

Two groups participated in a study on the added value of a gaming context and intelligent adaptation for a mobile learning application. The control group worked at home for a fortnight with the original Mobile English Learning application (MEL-original) developed in a previous project. The experimental group worked at home for a fortnight with MEL-enhanced, the original application embedded in an adventure game and augmented with intelligent adaptation. Two learning themes were used: Zoo animals and Neighbourhood. Both groups attended lessons at school on Zoo Animals and Neighbourhood during the same periods they were allowed to work with the application at home. A pre- and post-test were conducted to establish the initial vocabulary knowledge and the knowledge acquired during the learning phase. The main results indicated that the students in the experimental condition (MEL-enhanced) outperformed the children from the control group (MEL-original), although the former group did not spend more time with the learning material than the latter, and that the students in the experimental group valued MEL-enhanced more than the children from the control group valued MEL-original.     

The comparative efficacy of 2D- versus 3D-based media design for influencing spatial visualization skills

This study explored the effects of 2D- versus 3D-based media representations on the influence of the spatial visualization ability of undergraduate science majors. A pre-test/post-test comparison-group experiment was conducted with 23 participants involved in the study. Participating students were randomly assigned either to the interactive 3D media representation group (n = 13) or the conventional 2D media representation group (n = 10); learning materials in both groups deliver the same information to students, but employ different media representations. All the activities were performed in a self-paced, web-based instructional system. The results of ANCOVA analysis showed statistically insignificant difference between groups in terms of students’ post-test scores on the spatial visualization ability test with the students’ pre-test scores as the covariate. However, a medium effect size was observed in favor of the 3D group in terms of practical significance. As a pilot study with a small sample size aiming to probe the research direction of this problem, the result of medium-sized effect magnitude is likely to implicate that the discrepancy of different representational design on students’ performance of spatial ability assessment is noteworthy. Future study of this nature appears to merit further replications and investigations.     

Effects of the handheld technology instructional approach on performances of students of different achievement levels

The handheld technology selected and the ways it is implemented influences the way mathematics is taught and learnt, which in turn generates positive effects in the mathematics education. This study was conducted to examine the effects of handheld technology instructional approaches on performance of students of different achievement levels in Probability at a private higher learning institution in Malaysia. A quasi-experimental study with non-equivalent control group design with pre-test and post-test design was conducted on a sample of 65 students. The sample was divided into the experimental group and control group. The handheld technology instructional approaches, i.e. teaching and learning approaches using the graphing calculator (GC) as a teaching and learning tool and the GC instructional worksheets, were employed in the teaching and learning of probability in the experimental group. The conventional teaching approach was adopted in the control group. Quantitative and qualitative methods were employed to collect and analyse data. Quantitative data was collected using the Probability Achievement Test (PAT). PAT was administered to both groups at the beginning and end of the study. Qualitative data was collected using students' journals. The results show that students, the high, average and low achievers, gained benefits when the handheld technology instructional approaches were used in learning Probability, particularly random variable, poisson distribution, binomial distribution and normal distribution.     

The effects of computer-assisted instruction on the achievement,attitudes and retention of fourth grade mathematics students in North Cyprus

The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of the educational software Frizbi Mathematics 4 on 4th grade student's mathematics achievement, retention, attitudes toward mathematics and attitude toward computer assisted learning. Two groups (experimental and control) of students from the state primary school in Gazimagusa, North Cyprus were used in this study. The control group was taught using a lecture-based traditional instruction and experimental group was taught using educational software, namely Frizbi Mathematics 4. The control group consisted of 26 students while the experimental group consisted of 29 students. The groups were compared on achievement of mathematics, retention, and attitude toward mathematics and computer assisted learning. The study included three units, Multiplication of Natural Numbers, Division of Natural Numbers, and Fractions. Scores on achievement tests were collected three times; at the beginning of the study, immediately after the intervention, and 4 months later. The mathematics attitude scale and computer assisted learning attitude scale were administrated only two times; at the beginning of the study and immediately after the completion of the study. A series of ANOVAs for repeated measures revealed significant difference between the groups on the post achievement tests and attitude scales in favor of experimental group. However, statistically significant differences in favor of the treatment group, on the retention tests were attained on the multiplication and division units but not on fractions. The evidence indicates that Frizbi Mathematics 4 for learning and teaching mathematics at the primary school level in North Cyprus is an effective tool.     

Design and development of a technology enhanced hybrid instruction based on MOLTA model: Its effectiveness in comparison to traditional instruction

Using the model for learning and teaching activities (MOLTA), a new technology enhanced hybrid instruction was designed, developed and implemented. The effectiveness of the hybrid instruction in regard to students’ achievement, knowledge retention, attitudes towards the subject, and course satisfaction was evaluated in comparison to traditional classroom instruction. Experimental study with pre-test, post-test control group design was carried out. The sample of the study consisted of 50 university students enrolled in “Computer Networks and Communication” course. The control and experimental groups composed of 24 and 26 students respectively, and the experiment lasted 14 weeks. The findings of the study indicated no significant difference between the hybrid course and the traditional course in students’ achievement, knowledge retention, satisfaction, and attitude.     

Programmed instruction versus meaningful learning theory in teaching basic structured query language (SQL) in computer lesson

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of two different methods on primary school teacher candidates’ academic achievements and attitudes toward computer-based education, and to define their views on these methods. Both the first experimental group, programmed instruction (PI), and the second experimental group, meaningful learning (ML), included 36 students separately. While a significant difference was found between the groups regarding academic achievements, no significant difference was found between the groups’ attitude scores. There was no significant difference between the academic achievements of the students according to their genders in both groups. In addition, while there was no significant difference between the pre-test and post-test attitudes of students in the PI group, a significant difference was determined in the ML group. Generally, in the PI group, students considered the method effective but boring. Besides, students in the ML group had positive views on the method.     

Effectiveness of cognitive-load based adaptive instruction in genetics education

Research addressing the issue of instructional control in computer-assisted instruction has revealed mixed results. Prior knowledge level seems to play a mediating role in the student’s ability to effectively use given instructional control. This study examined the effects of three types of instructional control (non-adaptive program control, learner control, adaptive program control) and prior knowledge (high school, 1st year and 2nd year college students) on effectiveness and efficiency of learning in a genetics training program. The results revealed that adaptive program control led to highest training performance but not to superior post-test or far-transfer performance. Furthermore, adaptive program control proved to be more efficient in terms of learning outcomes of the test phase than the other two instructional control types. College students outperformed the high school students on all aspects of the study thereby strengthening the importance of prior knowledge in learning effectiveness and efficiency. Lastly, the interaction effects showed that for each prior knowledge level different levels of support were beneficial to learning.     

A model supported interactive virtual environment for natural resource sharing in environmental education

This paper introduces a realistic 3D model supported virtual environment for environmental education, that highlights the importance of water resource sharing by focusing on the tragedy of the commons dilemma. The proposed virtual environment entails simulations that are controlled by a multi-agent simulation model of a real ecosystem consisting of a lake that is being drained by a community of farmers with different types of behaviours. This resembles real-life scenarios, where farmers operate under extreme economic pressure. The virtual environment provides realistic visualization of the elements of the multi-agent model in a comprehensible manner, while keeping the details and the complexity of the ecosystem hidden from the students. Extensive experiments were conducted using students divided in a control group, exposed to conventional teaching means, and an experimental group that used the proposed virtual environment. Both groups were administered questionnaires at pre-test and post-test intervals, and conclusions were drawn after qualitative and quantitative analysis of the results. It was revealed that the proposed virtual environment provided significant cognitive advancements for the students, especially for complex inter-related notions, thus constituting a valuable tool for environment education.     

Augmented reality in science laboratories: The effects of augmented reality on university students’ laboratory skills and attitudes toward science laboratories

This study investigated the effects of the use of augmented reality (AR) technologies in science laboratories on university students' laboratory skills and attitudes towards laboratories. A quasi-experimental pre-test/post-test control group design was employed. The participants were 76 first-year university students, aged 18–20 years old. They were assigned to either an experimental or a control group. Qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were used. The experimental results obtained following the 5-week application revealed that the AR technology significantly enhanced the development of the university students' laboratory skills. AR technology both improved the students’ laboratory skills and helped them to build positive attitudes towards physics laboratories. The statements of the students and the instructor regarding other effects of AR technology on science laboratories, both negative and positive, are also discussed.