Different CAI Methods and Their Impacts on the "Star's Evolution" Achievement and Attitudes toward CAI of Senior High School Students

Author: Chun-Yen Chang(Department of Earth Science,National Taiwan Normal University), Yng-Lin Chen(Department of Earth Science,National Taiwan Normal University)

Vol.&No.：Vol. 45, No.2
Date：October 2000
Pages：1-20
DOI：10.6300/JNTNU.2000.45(2).01

Abstract：

The purpose of this study was to (1) develop the computer-assisted instruction (CAI) on the subject of Star's Evolution; and (2) examine the effects of different CAI methods on the achievement and attitudes toward CAI of senior high school students. A static-group comparison design involving four classes and 180 students, who were enrolled in a public senior high school in Taipei City, was employed. The experimental group (n=92) received the Teacher-Guided CAI (TGCAI); whereas the comparison groups (n=88) received the Self-Maneuvered CAI (SMCAI). Statistical analyses on the Star's Evolution Test posttest scores indicated that the TGCAI was nearly more effective in promoting students' achievement than was the SMCAI approach given the same coverage of content. Most notably, there were significant differences in favor of the TGCAI on the middle- and lower-achievement students' test performance between the experimental and comparison groups, but not on the higher-achievement students' test performance. Statistical analyses on the Attitudes toward CAI posttest measures revealed that both groups held positive attitudes toward the CAI. However, the SMCAI produced significantly more positive attitudes of students than did the TGCAI on the total scores and "user's interface" sublevel items. Nevertheless, no statistically significant increase or decrease in student attitudes toward the CAI was found for either group on the "frame presentation","subject content", and "whole perception" sublevel items. As a result of the current study, it is suggested that integrating "teacher-guided and self-maneuvered approaches" into CAI seem to have promise in enhancing students' learning of earth-science concepts and promoting students' positive attitudes toward CAI.

Keywords：Computer-Assisted Instruction, Earth Science, Secondary Education

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