Samara Presentation

.

Enhancing the Quality of Education

using Virtual LaboratoryBy

Endalkachew M., Tewodros A. and Alemayehu D.@

Samara UniversityAfar, Ethiopia

March, 26/2012

10/17/2022 1AKU, College of Natural & Computational Sciences, 2012

Outline of the talk:1.Objective of the project2.Introduction3.Virtual Laboratory4.Methods of Implementation5.Conclusions6.RecommendationReference10/17/2022 2AKU, College of Natural &

Computational Sciences, 2012

Objective of the project

• To achieve a step change in the teaching methodology of sciences

• To bring students’ interest in the subject: Physics, Chemistry, Biology and partially Mathematics

• To encourage the instructors to use lesson software enriched with virtual presentations to make difficult and abstract scientific concepts and principles concrete and understandable by following appropriate instructional approaches.


Continued…• To provide a practical resource for science teachers and to remove the barriers to students progression in Natural and Computational Sciences through learning-by-doing based inquiry process.

• To make students enjoy working together.


1. Introduction

• The traditional methods have given insufficient opportunities for students to construct their own learning.

• Therefore, the idea of using student-centred constructivist based instructional methods is widely accepted throughout the world.

• Learning by doing within the classroom is a departure from traditional methods.10/17/2022 5AKU, College of Natural &


Continued …• In this context, laboratories are important

components of education to make students to gain

experience. • In Sciences laboratory students become active in

their learning by seeing, observing and doing.

• Such kinds of application cause not only a better

but also a permanent learning [1].• The above idea can be summarized and shown in

Figure 1 below.


Continued …

Figure 1: Teaching-learning process and outcomes. Source: ...


Continued…

• Laboratory application in students’ learning has limits and problems, especially in Ethiopia.

• Here are some of the main problems: Lack of laboratory rooms or equipment, or

insufficient lab conditions which limits the teacher to perform a simple lab activity.

The laboratory equipments are expensive. Large number of students in one class. Force the teachers to teach theory as an

alternative, and so on. It is much time consuming.


Continued … In general, due to lack of laboratories at schools

or insufficient instruments in the laboratories, hands

on experiments are rarely performed in most schools in

Ethiopia. As a result, there is a failure on

experimental activities in our country.• When taking these limitations into consideration

looking for appropriate alternatives is inevitable.

• Among these alternatives, the use of computer

simulation (Virtual laboratory) in supporting the

laboratory methods can be a logical one.10/17/2022 9AKU, College of Natural &


2. Virtual Laboratory

Experiments can be virtually done. As a

result, virtual laboratory or simulation

programs overcome most of the problems

mentioned under section 1.

Many researchers in science education

admitted that laboratory studies increase

students’ interest and abilities for the

science subjects[2].

Question: Can a simulation be a

s effective as a

conventional laboratory or replace it?

10/17/2022 10AKU, College of Natural &


Continued…

The answer would be that it depends on the concept or the situation.

Simulations alone does not solve any problem. It must be supported with appropriate instructional methods and software related to the topics and concepts to be taught in the class.

Moreover, a detailed lesson plan in which where simulations will be used, when and what students will do, the parameters related to the topics and concepts that students can change in the system must be defined.

Only after these preparations, an ever-lasting learning can be achieved with simulations based activities in science education [4].


2.1 Working with built-in simulations

• Here are some built-in sample computer simulations used in virtual laboratory. Physics – projectile

Figure 2: Simulation of Projectile Motion.10/17/2022 12AKU, College of Natural &


Continued …

Chemistry

Dangerous experiment for

human health(e.g. Acid & Base)

Figure 3: Acid-Base property.10/17/2022 13AKU, College of Natural &


Continued …

- Biology

Anatomy and Physiology

Figure 3: Simulation of digestive system.


Continued …• Mathematics - Equation-grapher

Figure 4: Quadratic equation.10/17/2022 15AKU, College of Natural &


2.2 Doing experiments by constructing• Use circuit construction kit


3. Methods of Implementation

3.1 Stakeholders and their roles3.1.1 Project team

Giving trainingPreparation of users’ manualFacilitating and following upEvaluation of the outcomes and etc.

3.1.2 Samara University Keep the collaboration with Aksum University Form project team


Continued … Supporting the Project team by providing the necessary resources and facilities required for implementing the project (e.g. computers, LCD projector, internet access, stationary materials, transportation, etc.)

Building partnership with relevant governmental and non-governmental organizations which can potentially support the project.


Continued …

3.1.3. Afar Regional Bureau of Education Providing the necessary resources and facilities

Expanding the program to other schools in the region in a sustainable manner.


Continued …

3.2. Expertise required to work in a Virtual Lab Theoretical or practical knowledge of the subject matter.

Preliminary skill of computer applications.3.3. Resources /Materials required for establishing Virtual Science Laboratory

Computers LCD projector and Soft-wares which are used to run Simulations, such as Java

and Flash player.


4. Summary• Instructional materials develop by using computers

can be a solution for schools which has no science laboratory but has a computer cluster or laboratory.

• Instead of making demonstrational experiment in schools where there is lack of laboratory room or equipment or where there are over-crowded classes, simulations can be an alternative.

• Virtual laboratory overcome the possible dangers that can be seen in the real laboratory conditions.

• Moreover simulations have advantages from the time, security, cost and motivation point of view.


4. Recommendation

Make positive contributions in reaching the

objectives of an educational system by usi

ng

virtual laboratory.

Since the cost for preparing a science

laboratory for science lessons is higher tha

n

for needed to prepare a computer laborator

y,

which can be used for many different lessons

,

we recommend you to use virtual laboratory.


THANK YOU FOR YOUR

ATTENTION!!!10/17/2022 23AKU, College of Natural &


References

[1] Temel, H., Oral, B., Avanoglu, Y., (2000). Kimya ogrencilerinin deneye yonelik tutumlari ile titrimetri deneylerini planlama ve uygulamaya iliskin bilgi ve becerileriarasindaki ˙T liskinin degerlendirilmesi. Cagdas Egitim Dergisi,264, 32-38.

[2] Algan, S. (1999). The Influence of the computer based physics teaching on the success of the student and modern mathematics and science programs applied in turkey in the years between 1962 and 1985. Ankara: Gazi University, Institute of Science (Unpublished Master Thesis).


Continued …[3] Cengiz T., (2010). The Effect of the virtual

laboratory on students’ achievement and attitude in Chemistry.

[4] Sahin, S. (2006). Computer simulations in science education: implications for distance education, Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education-TOJDE, 7(12), 132-146


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