SCED 412

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SCED 412
Tinh Ngo
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Investigating Chemistry Students Learning about
the Relationship between the Temperature and
the Pressure of a Gas Using a Microcomputer-Base
d Laboratory (MBL) A Word of Caution
Gregory P.Thomas Campbell JMcRobbie  
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Introduction
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Computers are a useful tool in teaching and
learning  
It can reduce delays in processing data and
process several measurements at once.  
MBL
In 1985 McCorduck argues that with the things
that computers can do, students have more
opportunities to employ higher order thinking.
Does having a Microcomputer-based laboratory
(MBL) enhance student learning?
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Method
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Test subjects were grade 11 students from an
independent school in Australia
Observed and videotaped a grade 11 class over a
five week period
Students use MBL to try and understand the
properties of gases with relation to the kinetic
theory.
To test student understandings, Thomas and
McRobbie gave out pre and post tests. In
addition to this, they also analyze student
behavior from the video.
Since the class is pretty much homogeneous, only
one group of student were analyzed.  
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Results
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Compared results of the pre test with post test
Students came in with a range of ideas and came
out of it with a range of ideas.
Sample Dialogue during the lab
Jon When Stable click stop
Neil Yeah, the temperatures falling
Jon Its going up
Jason This is frustrating isnt it?
Results may differ from future research cause
everyone has a different idea of what learning is
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Discussion
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Potential of the MBL for for developing students
chemistry understanding was not fulfilled.
The concept of what it means to learn chemistry
will differ from people to people.
Little or if anything was gained from using MBL
USEFULNESS ?
Some students show improvement but it is unclear
whether it is due to the usage of MBL
If the MBL is viewed as a high-tech data
collecting device, then its full potential for
developing understanding will not be realized.
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Conclusion
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Understanding chemical phenomena can not be
enhanced simply by providing MBL technology
Research can be classified as action research /
Philosophical in Nature
ANALYSIS
Author wants to see if using a Micro Based
Laboratory is better than the old the traditional
approach.
Analysis was made not on how to use the device
but rather the effectiveness of the device.
Students behavior were filmed and studied over a
course of 5 weeks
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QUESTIONS?