Virtual Lab Implementation in Science Literacy: Emirati Science Teachers’ Perspectives

Saif Saeed Alneyadi

doi:10.29333/ejmste/109285

Full Text (PDF)

Saif Saeed Alneyadi ¹ ^*

More Detail

¹ Department of Curriculum and Instruction, College of Education, UAE University, Al-Ain, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

Background:
This study explored science teachers’ views about the nature and frequency of virtual lab implementation conducted by students and its contribution to developing science instruction and research in the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

Material and Methods:
Focus group was employed to collect data through structured interviews. The sample comprised 45 science teachers from 10 intermediate schools. Two questions inquiring into the goals of virtual practical work and its frequency were developed to guide the study.

Results and Conclusions:
The results showed that virtual labs had reasonable effects on students’ knowledge, skills, attitudes, and achievement as well as innovation. Nonetheless, virtual labs were not used regularly and were only used at a narrow scale; however, they increased students’ engagement, motivation, and achievement. Results are discussed in light of reexamining the current practices in terms of implementation, frequency, and country-level large-scale use. It is recommended to maximize virtual labs’ use and effectiveness.

Keywords

practical work
science teachers
virtual labs
science education

License

This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, 2019, Volume 15, Issue 12, Article No: em1786

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/109285

Publication date: 10 Jul 2019

Article Views: 5284

Article Downloads: 5212

Open Access References How to cite this article

References

ADEC. (2017). ADEC 6-9 science curriculum framework. Retrieved from https://ntwasol.files.wordpress.com/2012/02/grades_6-9_science_curriculum_v51.pdf.
Akani, O. (2015). Laboratory teaching: Implication on students’ achievement in chemistry in secondary schools in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Journal of Education and Practice, 6(30), 206-208. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1081346.pdf.
Al-Naqbi, A. K., & Tairab, H. H. (2005). The role of laboratory work in school science: Educator’s and student’s perspectives. Journal of the Faculty of Education, 18(22), 19-35. https://doi.org/10.5032/jae.2014.01167.
Andoloro, G., Bellamonte, L., & Sperandeo-Mineo, R. M. (1997). A computer-based learning environment in the field of Newtonian mechanics. International Journal of Science Education, 19(6), 661-680. https://doi.org/10.1080/0950069970190604.
Bilek, M., & Skalická, P. (2010). Combination of real and virtual environment in early chemistry experimental activities. In DOLINŠEK, S., LYONS, T. (eds.) Socio-cultural and human values in science and technology education – XIV. IOSTE Symposium Proceedings, Ljubljana: Institute for Innovation and Development of University, 185 - 192. Retrieved from http://lide.uhk.cz/prf/ucitel/bilekma1/moznosti/text/sbor_2010_2.pdf.
Bybee, R. W. (1997). Achieving scientific literacy: From purposes to practices. Westport, CT: Heinemann. Retrieved from https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED461491.
Cairns, D. (2016). Exploring the Relations of Inquiry-Based Teaching to Science Achievement and Dispositions in 54 Countries. Research in Science Education, 49, 1-23. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11165-017-9639.
Ezeliora, R. (2001). A guide to practical approach to laboratory management and safety precautions. Congregation of the Daughters of Divine Love. Enugu: Divine Love Publishers.
Feiman-Nemser, S., & Floden, R. E. (1986). The cultures of teaching. In M. C. Wittrock (Ed.) Handbook of research on teaching (3rd ed.) (pp. 505-526). New York: Macmillan.
Geban, O., Askar, P., & Ozkan, İ. (1992). Effects of computer simulations and problem solving approaches on high school students. Journal of Educational Research, 86(1), 5-10. https://doi.org/10.1080/00220671.1992.9941821.
Gorghiu, L. M., Gorghiu, G., Alexandrescu, T., & Borcea, L. (2009). Exploring chemistry using virtual instrumentation – Challenges and successes. Research, Reflections and Innovations in Integrating ICT in Education, 1(1), 371-375. Retrieved from https://www.worldcat.org/title/research-reflections-and-innovations-in-integrating-ict-in-education-vol-1/oclc/440002499.
Harrison, T. G., Shallcross, D. E., Heslop, W. J., Eastman, J. R., & Baldwin, A. J. (2009). Transferring best practice from undergraduate practical teaching to secondary schools: The dynamic laboratory manual. Acta Didactica Napocensia, 2(1), 1-8. Retrieved from https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1052372.pdf.
Hounshell, P. B., & Hill, S. R. (1989). The microcomputer and achievement and attitudes in high school biology. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 26(6), 543-549. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.3660260606.
Joseph, L. G., Deborah, H., & Edward, J. S., (1999). User-centered design and evaluation of virtual environments. IEEE Computer Graphics and Applications, 51-59. Retrieved from https://pdfs.semanticscholar.org/83e1/dae991f9dd6238135e39b031fddb3e0155ea.pdf.
Kerr, M. S., Rynearson, K., & Kerr, M. C. (2004). Innovative educational practice: Using virtual labs in the secondary classroom. The Journal of Educators Online, 1(1), 1-9. https://doi.org/10.9743/JEO.2004.1.3.
Krajcik, J., Mamlok, R., & Hug, B. (2001). Modern content and the enterprise of science: Science education in the twentieth century. Yearbook of the National Society for the Study of Education, 1, 205-238.
Lunetta, V. N., Hofstein, A., & Clough, M. P. (2007). Teaching and learning in the school science laboratory. An analysis of research, theory, and practice. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 8(2), 105-107.
Ma, J., & Nickerson, J. V. (2006). Hands-on, simulated, and remote laboratories: A comparative literature review. ACM Computing Surveys (CSUR), 38(3), 7. https://doi.org/10.1145/1132960.1132961.
Millar, R. (2004). The role of practical work in the teaching and learning of science. Paper prepared for the Committee. High School Science Laboratories: Role and Vision, 1-24. Retrieved from https://sites.nationalacademies.org/cs/groups/dbassesite/documents/webpage/dbasse_073330.pdf.
National Innovation Strategy. (2015). Science, technology and innovation (STI) policy. Retrieved from http://www.uaeinnovates.gov.ae/innovation-ecosystem/sti-policy.
Omiko, A. (2007). Job orientation and placement: The role of science education in a developing economy. Abakaliki: Larry and Caleb Publishing House. https://doi.org/10.12691/education-5-7-4.
Omiko, A. (2015) chemistry teachers’ attitude and knowledge of the use of information communication technology (ICT) in chemistry instruction delivery at the secondary school level in Ebonyi State of Nigeria. Journal of Curriculum Organization of Nigeria (CON) Imprint.
Ozdener, N., & Erdoğan, B. (2001). Computer-aided design and development of simulation (ss. 235-241). Fen Bilimleri Egitimi Sempozyumu ve Fuari. [Science Education Symbolism & Fair ] Maltepe University, Istanbul, Turkey. https://doi.org/10.2174/1872208311307010005.
Rauwerda, H., Roos, M., Hertzberger, B., & Breit, T. (2006). The promise of a virtual lab in drug discovery. Drug Discovery Today, 11(5-6), 228-236. https://doi.org/10.1016/S1359-6446(05)03680-9.
Rodrigues, S. (1997). Fitness for purpose: A glimpse at when, why and how to use information technology in science lessons. Australian Science Teachers Journal, 43(2), 38-39. Retrieved from https://www.learntechlib.org/p/83983/.
Saka, A. Z., & Yilmaz, M. (2005). Computer-assisted physics teaching material development and implementation. TOJET: The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 4(3), 122-128.
Scheckler, R. K. (2003). Virtual labs: A substitute for traditional labs? International Journal of Developmental Biology, 47(2-3), 231-236. Retrieved from http://www.ijdb.ehu.es/web/paper/12705675/virtual-labs-a-substitute-for-traditional-labs.
Tamir, P. (1989). Training teachers to teach effectively in the laboratory. Science Education, 73(1), 59-69. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.3730730106.
Tobin, K. (1990). Research on science laboratory activities: In pursuit of better questions and answers to improve learning. School Science and Mathematics, 90(5), 403-418. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1949-8594.1990.tb17229.x.
Tüysüz, C. 2010. The effect of the virtual lab on students’ achievement and attitude in chemistry. International Online Journal of Educational Sciences, 2(1), 37-53. Retrieved from http://citeseerx.ist.psu.edu/viewdoc/download?doi=10.1.1.657.6059&rep=rep1&type=pdf.
Ufondu, N. U. (2009). The role of the laboratory on the academic achievement of students in biology in Abakaliki Education Zone of Ebonyi State (Unpublished B.Sc. Ed thesis). Ebonyi State University, Abakaliki.
Venville, G. J., & Dawson, V. M. (2010). The impact of a classroom intervention on grade 10 students’ argumentation skills, informal reasoning, and conceptual understanding of science. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 47(8), 952–977. https://doi.org/10.1002/tea.20358.
Windschitl, M., Thompson, J., & Braaten, M. (2008). Beyond the scientific method: Model-based inquiry as a new paradigm of preference for school science investigations. Science Education, 92(5), 941-967. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.20259.
Xinhua, L., & Lin, X. (2018). Research on artificial intelligence-based education in the era of internet+. In 2018 International Conference on Intelligent Transportation, Big Data & Smart City (ICITBS) (pp. 335-338). IEEE. https://doi.org/10.1109/ICITBS.2018.00092.

How to cite this article

APA

Alneyadi, S. S. (2019). Virtual Lab Implementation in Science Literacy: Emirati Science Teachers’ Perspectives. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(12), em1786. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/109285

Vancouver

Alneyadi SS. Virtual Lab Implementation in Science Literacy: Emirati Science Teachers’ Perspectives. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2019;15(12):em1786. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/109285

AMA

Alneyadi SS. Virtual Lab Implementation in Science Literacy: Emirati Science Teachers’ Perspectives. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2019;15(12), em1786. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/109285

Chicago

Alneyadi, Saif Saeed. "Virtual Lab Implementation in Science Literacy: Emirati Science Teachers’ Perspectives". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2019 15 no. 12 (2019): em1786. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/109285

Harvard

Alneyadi, S. S. (2019). Virtual Lab Implementation in Science Literacy: Emirati Science Teachers’ Perspectives. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(12), em1786. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/109285

MLA

Alneyadi, Saif Saeed "Virtual Lab Implementation in Science Literacy: Emirati Science Teachers’ Perspectives". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 15, no. 12, 2019, em1786. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/109285