Abstract:
The objective of this study was : 1) to investigate and design a learning management system using virtual science simulations on a collaborative online platform in order to enhance the scientific inquiry skills of early secondary school students, and 2) to study the effects of using virtual science simulations on a collaborative online platform to development of scientific inquiry skills of early secondary school students. The data collection tools used in this study included: 1) a scientific inquiry skills assessment, 2) an observation checklist of inquiry behaviors, 3) an attitude scale towards scientific inquiry, and 4) an evaluation of learning outcomes based on student work. The study compared the levels of scientific inquiry skills between the experimental group, which learning activities on virtual science simulations with collaborative online platform (n=25), and the control group, which learning activities based on virtual science simulations (n=25). The data analysis was conducted using statistical techniques, including the T-test for independent samples to compare the groups' levels of scientific inquiry skills, and the T-test for dependent samples to compare the pre- and post-learning levels of scientific inquiry skills within the experimental group.