Powerpoint On Student Engagement Using Virtual Worlds

Using Virtual Labs to Increase Student Engagement in Science

Jason McCarron Memorial University of Newfoundland

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Science 10 Final Scores 2004-2008

Science Scores Mean 52.6% Mode 50% Median 52%

How Can Student Achievement be Increased? Research conducted by Skinner and Belmont (1993) illustrates that students who are more engaged in school do in fact earn higher grades, score higher on standardized tests of achievement and feel pride and satisfaction in their accomplishments. Lutz et al. (2005) linked engagement in learning with positive academic outcomes such as; good grades, strong standardized test scores, and high school completion.

A review of literature indicates that engaging students in virtual labs during science class will promote learning. Some examples of virtual labs and how exactly they promote learning will be discussed in this presentation.

River City

Retrieved on March 24, 2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm

Tracking and Organizing Learning in River City

The Town, River City

Retrieved on March 24, 2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm

Retrieved on March 24,2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm

Retrieved on March 24,2009 from: http://muve.gse.harvard.edu/rivercityproject/view/rc_views_interface.htm

Second Life

Explore Learning

Balcaen (2008) demonstrated simulations, flash and Do virtual labs promotethat student engagement animations and interactive were highly engaging, overallmedia achievement? providing students with a “problematic” way of thinking, supporting the development science concepts. group of Bayrak (2008) demonstratedofthat an experimental physics students using simulations achieved higher than the groupfound who received only using face tothe face Suncontrol et al. (2008) that students online instruction. virtual labs achieved better grades compared to those in the control group having a traditional lab experience. Stuckey-Mickell and Stuckey-Danner (2007) showed that student comments suggested that virtual labs may enhance learning through engagement. Dede et al. (2005)increased found that when middle school students used a virtual lab called River City there was a high level Pyatt and Sims (2007) found significant increases in of engagement as demonstrated by a decreased student achievement and understanding after students were absenteeism rate of 35%, engaged in a virtual chemistry lab. http://innovateonline.info/media/images/v-learning-figure5(2211).jpg

Will virtual labs replace traditional labs?

What do students think about virtual labs?

Science 10 Student Statements from March 2009 After Using Explore Learning Explain what you liked about virtual labs. “Easy and fun” “Using computers” “Hands on” “Ability to interact” “Less time consuming” and “visual” Explain what you did not like compared to the traditional lab. “Too Repetitive” “It did not feel like a lab” Technical problems” “Not hands on” or “as fun as the real thing” What are some important characteristics of this lab activity that kept you interested and engaged in the activity? “Seeing changes happening on the computer” “Interacting” “Keeping track of data” “Time constraint to complete lab”

Future Considerations

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