Powerpoint on Student Engagement Using Virtual Worlds

8/14/2019 Powerpoint on Student Engagement Using Virtual Worlds

1/17

Using Virtual Labs to Increase

Student Engagement in Science

Jason McCarron

Memorial University of Newfoundland


2/17

Science 10 Final Scores 2004-2008

05

10

15

20

2530

5 15 25 35 45 55 65 75 85 95M

ore

Science Scores

F

requency

Mean 52.6%

Mode 50%

Median 52%


3/17

Research conducted by Skinner and Belmont

(1993) illustrates that students who are moreengaged in school do in fact earn higher grades,

score higher on standardized tests of achievement

and feel pride and satisfaction in their

accomplishments.

How Can Student Achievement be Increased?

Lutz et al. (2005) linked engagement in learning withpositive academic outcomes such as; good grades,

strong standardized test scores, and high school

completion.

A review of literature indicates that engaging

students in virtual labs during science class will

promote learning. Some examples of virtual labs

and how exactly they promote learning will be

discussed in this presentation.


4/17

River City

Retrieved on March 24, 2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm
http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/index.htmlhttp://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/index.html


5/17

Tracking and Organizing Learning in River City


6/17

Retrievedon March 24, 2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm

The Town, River City


7/17

Retrieved on March 24,2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm


8/17

Retrieved on March 24,2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm


9/17

Second Life
http://www.secondlife.com/


10/17


11/17


12/17


13/17

Explore Learning
http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cUserSecure.dspTeacherhome


14/17

Do virtual labs promote student engagement and

overall achievement?

Balcaen (2008) demonstrated that simulations, flash

animations and interactive media were highly engaging,

providing students with a problematic way of thinking,

supporting the development of science concepts.Bayrak (2008) demonstrated that an experimental group of

physics students using simulations achieved higher than

the control group who received only face to face

instruction.

http://innovateonline.info/media/images/v-learning-figure5(2211).jpg

Sun et al. (2008) found that students using the online

virtual labs achieved better grades compared to those in thecontrol group having a traditional lab experience.Stuckey-Mickell and Stuckey-Danner (2007) showed that

student comments suggested that virtual labs may enhance

learning through increased engagement.Dede et al. (2005) found that when middle school studentsused a virtual lab called River City there was a high level

of engagement as demonstrated by a decreased

absenteeism rate of 35%,

Pyatt and Sims (2007) found significant increases in

student achievement and understanding after students were

engaged in a virtual chemistry lab.


15/17

Will virtual labs replace traditional labs?


16/17

What do students think about virtual labs?

Science 10 Student Statements from March 2009 After

Using Explore Learning

Explain what you liked about virtual labs.

Easy and fun

Using computersHands on

Ability to interact

Less time consuming and visual

Explain what you did not like compared to the traditional lab.

Too Repetitive

It did not feel like a lab

Technical problems

Not hands on or as fun as the real thing

What are some important characteristics of this lab activity that kept

you interested and engaged in the activity?

Seeing changes happening on the computer

Interacting

Keeping track of data

Time constraint to complete lab

F t C id ti


17/17

Future Considerations

http://www.comtechsolutions.ca/sitebuildercontent/sitebuilderpictures/kee

pyourcomputerhappy.gif

https://reader010.{domain}/reader010/html5/0627/5b335db8c67c4/5b335dc4e

D728-4D3B-A76A-33DB3E971D0D}

http://www.mghs.sa.edu.au/Internet/Faculties/Science/Year8/Pics/workingInALa

b t if

Powerpoint on Student Engagement Using Virtual Worlds

Documents

Transcript of Powerpoint on Student Engagement Using Virtual Worlds