Theses and Dissertations
Date of Award
2012
Document Type
Dissertation - NSU Access Only
Degree Name
Doctor of Education (EdD)
Department
Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice
Advisor
Margaret D. Roblyer
Committee Member
Vanaja Nethi
Committee Member
Ronald P. Kern
Keywords
Simulated Environment, Electronic Learning, Computer based Integrated Learning Systems, Virtual Classrooms, Learning Laboratories
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine whether a computer-based simulated lab yielded equivalent performance and transfer to practical skills in plant identification when compared to the original traditional hands-on lab. Participants in this study were undergraduate students and continuing education adults at a rural university in the United Kingdom. Three questions addressed the use of simulations as a viable alternative delivery format in horticulture science. Were there significant differences between academic scores of students using simulated and traditional lab environments? Were there significant differences between simulated and traditional labs with regard to students’ abilities to transfer learning from classroom to hands-on tasks? Were there significant differences in how students using simulated labs rated their quality of learning when compared to their counterparts using traditional labs? Two groups of students taking a university horticulture course were compared for achievement on exams and assignments and for transfer to a hands-on final project, as well as for ratings on a standard course evaluation. All course activities were identical except that the experimental group did lab activities with an online simulation, and the control group used in-person, hands-on labs.
Both study groups performed equally well on measures of achievement. With regard to transference of learning reflected in the hands-on final exam, students in the experimental group performed significantly better than those in the control group. Both groups rated the module above satisfactory, but the experimental group rated the lecturer, delivery method, and overall satisfaction significantly higher than the control group. This study supported simulated labs as a viable learning alternative that promotes mobility, immediate feedback, conceptual understanding, and repetitive interactive activities, all of which fit in with today’s digital age students.
NSUWorks Citation
Mari Jayne M. Frederick. 2012. Comparison of Student Outcomes Between Computer-Based Simulated Lab Environments and Hands-On Lab Environments. Doctoral dissertation. Nova Southeastern University. Retrieved from NSUWorks, Abraham S. Fischler College of Education and School of Criminal Justice. (966)
https://nsuworks.nova.edu/fse_etd/966.