A Study of the Status, Problems and Needs Concerning Computer Assisted Instruction Applications for Teachers in Technical Colleges under the Department of Vocational Education in the Educational Region 8. Pisut Chaiwong
Abstract:
The aims of this reasearch were to compare learning achievement and problemsolving
abilities gained from two laboratory instructions: Conventional and problem-solving
laboratories. It was believed that the problem-solving type would develop higher abilities than
the conventional one. Instruments used in this study were: two types of laboratories,
observation sheets, and achievement test items
Two types of laboratories under the same content were constructed. Three topics
from digital techniques were selected as the theme of laboratory development. The themes
involved Binary, Modulus Counter and Code Converter Circuit. Existing laboratories under the
above topics were surveyed, selected and task analysed. Informations obtained from the task
analysis were catagorized in terms of process, knowledge and skill involved in the experiment.
The analysed informations were used to develop conventional and problem-solving
laboratories. Conventional laboratories were developed by modifying some experimental
procsses in the selected laboratories to suit the research purpose while problem-solving
laboratories developed according to their problem-solving cycle. The two types of
laboratories developed were unanimously approved at the rate of 0.6-l by five experts in terms
of developmental processes and thier characteristics.
Sixty multiple-choices test items measuring learning achievement were developed
t?om a set of information analysed from content of digital technique. The test possessed the
following qualities : content validity of 0.68-1.00, difficulty index of 0.58 and discrimination
power of 0.68. These quality were approved also by the test experts.
Another 50 multiple choices test items measureing 13 problem-solving skills were
developed. From item analysis, the test possessed an average diffrculty 0.58, average
discrimination power of 0.36 and reliability of 0.76. An observation sheet was developed
Under expertss supervision to monitor students working procedure.
Samples used for the study were 60 students of Cheing Mai technical college.
Thirty Students were randomly assigned as a control group working with conventional
laboratory. Another thirty students were randomly assigned as an experimental group working
with problem-solving laboratory. Prior to the experiment, both group were pre-tested to ensure
their equal entry performances. Scores collected from the experiment were statistical analysed
in the form of T-test.
It was found that the problem-solving laboratory yielded better problem-solving
abilities at a significant different level of 0.01 as hypothesis set. Detailed analysis revealed
a fact that problem-solving laboratory enhanced better comprehension and application abilities
than the conventional one but did not have much effect on the recalling abilities. The
experiment also revealed an insiguiticant different on the knowledge level. The study,
however, indicated a significant difference on the frst 8 problem-solving skills and
insignificant difference on the last 5 skills.