Designing a User-Friendly Microcomputer-Based Laboratory Package through the Factor Analysis of Teacher Evaluations

Autor/inn/en	Lavonen, Jari; Juuti, Kalle; Meisalo, Veijo
Titel	Designing a User-Friendly Microcomputer-Based Laboratory Package through the Factor Analysis of Teacher Evaluations
Quelle	In: International Journal of Science Education, 25 (2003) 12, S.1471-1487 (17 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	0950-0693
Schlagwörter	Factor Analysis; Chemistry; Learning Laboratories; Teacher Surveys; Computer Attitudes; Formative Evaluation; Fundamental Concepts; Courseware; Computer Software Evaluation; Action Research; Research Methodology; Learning Modules + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Faktorenanalyse; Chemie; Lernstation; Grundlagenplan; Konzept; Lernsoftware; Softwareanalyse; Projektforschung; Research method; Forschungsmethode; Learning module; Lernmodul
Abstract	In this study we analyse how the experiences of chemistry teachers on the use of a Microcomputer-Based Laboratory (MBL), gathered by a Likert-scale instrument, can be utilized to develop the new package "Empirica 2000." We used exploratory factor analysis to identify the essential features in a large set of questionnaire data to see how our previous MBL package, "Empirica for Windows 4.0," looks from the point of view of experienced chemistry teachers. Together, a six-factor solution explained 50.1% of the common variance and indicated the teachers' perspective on the use of a MBL package in chemical education. The factors were: "Versatility of the tool," "User interface," "Data presentation," "Data acquisition," "Set up," and "Usability." Based on the data, some conclusions concerning the software development and desired new features in the prototype software are discussed in the framework of each factor. (Contains 1 table, 1 figure, and 2 notes.) (Author).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2017/4/10