The use of Electronic devices for learning of science: a study conducted with grade 11 students
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Date
2014
Authors
Herath, H. M. N.
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
The University of Peradeniya
Abstract
Competitiveness to get admission to Sri Lankan Universities make students stressful and seek alternative ways to be successful. Their prime aim is to achieve good results at the G.C.E Ordinary Level and Advanced Level examinations by using different modes of learning. One way is to use electronic devices that are available supplementary resources in learning science. This study was aimed to find out the use of electronic devices among 11th graders for learning science in four urban schools in the Kandy.district. Study objectives are: to identify the types of electronic devices and purposes of using them by grade 11 students, to recognize the types of electronic devices that are used for learning science and explore students' attitudes in using electronic devices and the problems they face when using electronic devices for learning. Two female schools and two male schools (2 government & 2 semi-government) were selected to collect data, by administering a questionnaire for selected 100 students and conducting in-depth interviews with 10 students. Analysis of questionnaire revealed that students used electronic devices not only for science learning but also for other purposes as well. For instance they had used television (77%) , computer (70%) , telephone (27%), radio (7%), iPod (5%), and kindle and galaxy tab (2%) for learning science. At the interviews students stated that they can find more information within a short period of time by using the internet and also the coloured photographs and attractive presentations in the television and internet helped them in retaining facts for a long time. Low students had used telephone and radio for learning science for the student's use of telephone was banned inside the school and radio was having only audio character. Most of the students (94%) had responded positively to the given statement "The uses of electronic devices are helpful in learning of science". Students have mentioned that they came across problems when using electronic devices for learning. Since students do not have computers with internet facilities at home, they expressed the need of it for the benefit of all students. Most of the students have television at home nowadays. Furthermore, they suggested that allowing them to use school computers after school and in holidays which will help them to use the internet only for learning of science.
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Keywords
Electronic devices , Learning