The development and testing of a computer aided instructional resource for the teaching of physical science

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: This study set out to develop and test a Computer Aided Instructional Resource forPhysical Science in Grades 11 and 12. The software was tested in the context ofNewtonian Mechanics. This study differed from most other studies in that it did notdevelop or test tutoring-type software that the learner uses on a one to one basis in acomputer laboratory. It did, however, test and develop software to be used by the teacherin the classroom while teaching.A theoretical framework is presented, built on experience-based as well as literature-basedtheory. In this framework, the effects of computer interventions on the teaching andlearning situation as reported in the literature are viewed within the South African context.In the light of what is reported in the literature, the education authorities' attempts todisseminate the curriculum with the use of technology, are questioned. Reasons for notdoing a quantitative assessment of learner understanding of concepts are presented withreference to criticism in the literature against such assessments. The dissertation reportson the type of questions that need to be asked according to the literature. This discussionthen leads to research questions that describe a process for the developing and testing ofa resource that could assist teachers in teaching Physical Science.Developmental methods as well as ways of assessing had to be researched to determinethe best way in which such a resource could be developed and tested. During thisresearch it was found that the implementation of Information and CommunicationTechnology (ICT) to deliver the curriculum had focused more on the development oftutoring type software and it seemed that the use of computers for actual classroominstruction did not receive as much attention. It was however possible to identifydevelopmental and assessment principles that were common to research that had beendone and the project that is reported in this dissertation.The Computer Aided Instructional Resource (CAIR) was developed by the researcher inthe form of a presentations package that the teacher could use in the classroom whileteaching. It was tested in a Prototyping Stage in the researcher's classroom before beingtested in eight project schools during the Piloting Stage. This was done by connectingpersonal computers up to 74cm televisions and then displaying the CAIR on the TV whileteaching. This was made possible by TRAC South Africa that funded the project. It alsoprovided an opportunity to assess the use of the TRAC system in the same schools.After assessment criteria had been identified, assessment instruments were developed toassess the project in different ways. There were questionnaires for each stage to becompleted by learners and teachers as well as an observation instrument that was used bythe researcher during classroom visits. These assessment instruments made it possible toassess the CAIR with respect to didactical, visual and technical considerations.Results of the empirical study are presented under the assessment criteria that had beenidentified and are discussed with reference to the original research questions.The results of the assessment were very positive for both the CAIR and TRAC systems.The study has however tried to focus on the negative rather than positive outcomes topresent as unbiased a picture as possible of the assessment results. It was alsonecessary to focus on the negative to determine how and where the CAIR could beimproved and, to make recommendations regarding the implementation of the TRACsystem.Recommendations are also made for immediate action and further investigations.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University