Understanding the Enabling and Constraining Factors in Using the Virtual Lab: Teaching Science in Rural Schools in South Africa

Autor/inn/en	Shambare, Brian; Simuja, Clement; Olayinka, Theodorio Adedayo
Titel	Understanding the Enabling and Constraining Factors in Using the Virtual Lab: Teaching Science in Rural Schools in South Africa
Quelle	In: International Journal of Information and Communication Technology Education, 18 (2022) 1, (15 Seiten)Infoseite zur Zeitschrift PDF als Volltext Verfügbarkeit
Zusatzinformation	ORCID (Shambare, Brian) ORCID (Olayinka, Theodorio Adedayo)
Sprache	englisch
Dokumenttyp	gedruckt; online; Zeitschriftenaufsatz
ISSN	1550-1876
Schlagwörter	Rural Schools; Science Instruction; Computer Simulation; Science Experiments; Foreign Countries; Scientific Concepts; Concept Formation; Hands on Science; Distance Education; Teaching Methods; Barriers; Educational Benefits; Secondary School Teachers; Science Teachers; Technological Literacy; Pedagogical Content Knowledge; South Africa + Suchen Sie Ihr Suchwort? Rural area; Rural areas; School; Schools; Ländlicher Raum; Schule; Schulen; Teaching of science; Science education; Natural sciences Lessons; Naturwissenschaftlicher Unterricht; Computergrafik; Computersimulation; Ausland; Concept learning; Begriffsbildung; Distance study; Distance learning; Fernunterricht; Teaching method; Lehrmethode; Unterrichtsmethode; Bildungsertrag; Science; Teacher; Teachers; Science teacher; Wissenschaft; Lehrer; Lehrerin; Lehrende; Technisches Wissen; Pädagogische Kompetenz; Südafrika; Süd-Afrika; Republik Südafrika; Südafrikanische Republik
Abstract	It is commonly accepted that learners gain better understanding of science concepts when they perform 'hands-on' experiments in the lab. However, the lack of lab infrastructure, particularly in most rural schools, negatively affects the teaching of science. With the increasing potential of ICT to education, virtual laboratories (VL) have emerged as an alternative to the real laboratories. Like any ICT educational tool, it is important to understand the enabling and constraining factors in teaching with the VL. Therefore, this study presents the enabling and constraining factors in using the VL from teachers' perspectives. Particularly, this study is guided by the research question: What are the enabling and constraining factors in using the virtual lab to mediate learning of science through scientific experiments? Data were collected through semi-structured interviews and lesson observations. The results reveal that the Virtual Lab has several enabling factors and also revealed some constraining factors. Nevertheless, findings suggest the VL is a suitable alternative to the real lab. (As Provided).
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Erfasst von	ERIC (Education Resources Information Center), Washington, DC
Update	2024/1/01