A study on learning effect among different learning styles in a Web-based lab of science for elementary school students

The purpose of this study is to explore the learning effect related to different learning styles in a Web-based virtual science laboratory for elementary school students. The online virtual lab allows teachers to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into science lessons. The resu...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Computers and education 2008-05, Vol.50 (4), p.1411-1422
Main Authors: Sun, Koun-tem, Lin, Yuan-cheng, Yu, Chia-jui
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Cognitive Style
Computer Assisted Instruction
Computer Uses in Education
Educational Environment
Elementary School Science
Elementary School Students
Experimental Teaching
Grades (Scholastic)
Internet
Learning achievement
Learning style
Science Achievement
Science Laboratories
Significant difference
Teaching Methods
Textbooks
Web Based Instruction
Web-based virtual lab
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Summary:The purpose of this study is to explore the learning effect related to different learning styles in a Web-based virtual science laboratory for elementary school students. The online virtual lab allows teachers to integrate information and communication technology (ICT) into science lessons. The results of this experimental teaching method demonstrate that: (a) students in the experimental group using the online virtual lab achieved better grades than those in the control group under traditional class instruction, (b) in the experimental group, grade achievements of students having different learning styles were not significantly different from each other leading us to conclude that the Web-based virtual learning environment is suitable for various learning styles, (c) students with the “accommodator” learning style made the most significant achievements in this study, the scores obtained by the experimental group being remarkably better than those in the control group, and (d) up to 75% of the students surveyed indicated that they preferred using the Web-based virtual lab to reading textbooks only. The results of the experimental teaching and the survey show the feasibility and effectiveness of the Web-based learning environment being studied. It encourages further development of the Web-based virtual lab.
ISSN:0360-1315
1873-782X
DOI:10.1016/j.compedu.2007.01.003