Effects of Hands-On Experiences on Student Achievement, Interest, and Attitude in Chemistry

<p>This study examined the effect of hands-on experiences on student achievement, interest, and attitude in chemistry. The researcher gathered data from 82 students enrolled in an East Texas high school chemistry course for the 2019-2020 school year. Historical data from five-unit tests were used to assess differences in mean achievement scores between test items aligned with hands-on laboratory experiences and test items aligned with computer-simulated experiences. An independent t-test and a paired t-test were used to statistically evaluate the data. The independent t-test showed no statistically significant difference. However, the paired t-test did indicate a statistically significant difference. To assess attitude and interest in chemistry, focus group interviews were conducted with one student from each of the seven participating classes. Transcripts of the interviews were quantized to analyze keywords and frequency of codes. Codes were cross-tabulated to find themes in the discussions. Analysis of the data revealed that students’ interest in and positive attitude toward science increased after participating in hands-on laboratory experiences, while computer simulated laboratory experiences increased negative attitude and decreased interest in chemistry. Meanwhile, students perceived learning from both hands-on and computer-simulated laboratory experiences. </p>

Name thesis:degree_name

Doctor of Education

Level thesis:degree_level

Dissertation

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Secondary Education and Educational Leadership

Year dc:date.available

2020

Author dc:creator

• Adkins, Donna Gretchenn

Contributors dc:contributor

• Dr. Barbara Qualls, Ph.D.
• Dr. Kevin Langford, Ph.D.
• Dr. Stacy Hendricks, Ed.D.

• Hands-on laboratory experiences
• computer-simulated laboratory experiences
• attitude toward science
• interest in science
• high school chemistry
• Curriculum and Instruction
• Education
• Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research
• Educational Leadership
• Educational Methods
• Science and Mathematics Education

Repository record dc:identifier

https://scholarworks.sfasu.edu/etds/343

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarworks.sfasu.edu:etds-1369