TITLE:
Designing Learning Objects for a Computer Science Course: Are There Any Effects on Developing Practical Skills and Professional Interests among Students of Computer Department, Faculty of Education, University of Dammam?
AUTHORS:
Ghadeer W. Alharthi, Abdellatif E. Elgazzar, Ahmed M. Nouby
KEYWORDS:
Designing Learning Objects; Wiley’s Model; e-Learning; Practical Performance Skills; Professional Interests; University e-Course
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Social Sciences,
Vol.2 No.2,
January
9,
2014
ABSTRACT:
This research aims at investigating the
effectiveness of Designing Learning Objects for the Course “Basics of Communications
and Networks” according to Wiley’s Model on Developing Practical Skills(PS) and
Professional Interests(PI) among Students of Computer Department, Faculty of
Education at Jubail, University of Dammam, KSA to get the answer to the major
question: Are there any effects on developing practical skills and professional
Interests? The research implemented the experimental research method in a
quasi-experimental control group with pretest-posttest design. The sample was
purposive one, consisted of (54) subjects from two sections of female students
of those enrolled in the course during the first semester of the year 2012-2013
in the Faculty of Education at Jubail. The two sections were randomly assigned
to the two groups: experimental group (27) and control group (27) students. Two
research hypotheses were formulated to answer the major question. The Course
“Basics of Communications and Networks” was developed using eLearning Objects
(LO) according to Wiley’s Model through a practical/or operational model, and
then refereed. Two research tools: Observation Checklists of practical skills
(OCPS), and Professional Interests Test (PIT) were developed and validated
thru refereeing. The experimental group learned through the eLearning Objects
Design (Treatment) of the course while the control group learned through the
regular teaching method of that course. The two research tools: OCPS and PIT
were implemented before and after the experiment for both groups. Data were
processed and then analyzed using SPSS package and the two hypotheses were
tested. Results showed a statistically significant difference between the two
means of the experimental group and the control group for the experimental group
in OCPS for the experimental group, while there was no statistically
significant difference between the two means in PIT. So, the answer of the
major question: that there were Effects of designing eLearning Objects on
Developing Practical Skills, while no effects on developing Professional
Interests among Students of Computer Department, Faculty of Education. Some
recommendations as well as some suggestions for future research, based on this
research results were provided.