Development and Analysis of Virtual Laboratory as an Assistive Tool for Teaching Grade 8 Physical Science Classes

Development and Analysis of Virtual Laboratory as an Assistive Tool for Teaching Grade 8 Physical Science Classes

Maria Ndapewa Ntinda, Titus Haiduwa, Willbard Kamati
Copyright: © 2021 |Pages: 24
DOI: 10.4018/978-1-7998-4963-6.ch016
OnDemand:
(Individual Chapters)
Available
$37.50
Current Special Offers
No Current Special Offers
TOTAL SAVINGS: $37.50

Abstract

This chapter discusses the development of a virtual laboratory (VL) named “EduPhysics,” an assistive software tailored around the Namibian Physical Science textbook for Grade 8 learners, and examines the viability of implementing VL in education. It further presented reviews on the role of computer simulations in science education and teachers' perspective on the use of EduPhysics in physical science classrooms. The chapter adopted a mixed method with an experimental research design and used questionnaires and interviews as data collection tools in high school physical science classes. The analysis found that there are limited resources in most physical science laboratories. Computer laboratories, however, are well equipped and have computing capacities to support the implementation of VL. It was concluded that virtual laboratories could be an alternative approach to hands-on practical work that is currently undertaken in resource-constrained physical science labs. For future work, augmented reality and logs will be incorporated within EduPhysics.
Chapter Preview
Top

Background

In the past, education at the secondary school level in Namibia was divided into two phases. The first phase was known as the junior secondary phase, consisting of grades 8-10, and the second phase was known as the senior secondary phase consisting of grades 10-12 (NIED, 2010). In 2017, a new curriculum was implemented for grade 8. The content of the new curriculum differs only slightly from that of the old curriculum. Under the old curriculum, grade 8 physical science offered the following topics: Scientific Processes, Matter and Materials, Environmental Chemistry, Mechanics, and Electricity & Magnetism (NIED, 2010). All the topics found in the old curriculum were carried over to the new curriculum except one: Electricity and Magnetism (NIED, 2015). Electricity and Magnetism topic was replaced with Experimental techniques. Thus, the new grade 8 physical science curriculum consists of the following five topics: Matter and Materials, Environmental chemistry, Mechanics, Scientific processes, and Experimental techniques (NIED, 2015).

Key Terms in this Chapter

Virtual Laboratory: Is a computer-based activity where students interact with an experimental apparatus or other activity via a computer interface.

EduPhysics: Is a virtual laboratory, which was developed in this study to simulate virtual experiments.

Simulation: Is an approximate imitation of the operation of a process or system that represents its operation over time.

Complete Chapter List

Search this Book:
Reset