Self-Reported Czech and Slovak Students' Feedback on Performing Activities in Computer Based Science Lab
Abstract
Microcomputer based laboratory (MBL) is a prospective tool for more efficient teaching of variety of science themes. It also well reflects the increasing ratio of employment of various probes in lab practice and in common life.
Although implementation of MBL into schools can bring a variety of advantages, it is still question whether students would accept such technology in schools and which are the possible ways of implementation. Accordingly, the attitudes and opinions of 674 Czech and Slovak students participating more than 30 lab courses with MBL were collected through questionnaire and statistically evaluated.
The results showed that majority of the students (> 88 %) considered the activities to be interesting and motivating with clear instructions, work with the MBL system and the set-up of the system was evaluated as simple. More than 70 % of students also considered lab course as beneficial for their knowledge development and that the acquired knowledge is well applicable in other science courses.
Nevertheless, the significant differences between Czech and Slovak students were identified as Slovak students showed more positive attitudes to the activities. In overall, the results show that students positively evaluate the activities and work with MBL systems and consider their implementation in science courses as meaningful and useful.