Using Edmodo online application as a supplement to enhance student level of performance and critical thinking in the learning process of Thermodynamic course

摘要

This study evaluates the effect of using the online learning technology platform to improve the student level of performance and critical thinking in thermodynamic course. Edmodo is a free educational learning platform was used in this study for virtual communication between students and the instructor. The study was conducted in the first semester of the academic year 2018–2019 and it lasted for around five weeks involving two cycles. The number of students involved in the study were thirty-eight students studying introduction to thermodynamic course. Thermodynamic course is a compulsory undergraduate course that must be taken at the early stages of B.Sc. program in Chemical Engineering at the University of Bahrain. The students were almost half-female, and all seem to be comfortable with online applications and are used to the social media in different ways. Three different methods were used to measure the effectiveness of the online approach including tests, questionary, and interviews. Student's attitude towards Edmodo was found to be positive which means it can be used as out-of-class learning tool. Impact on students was obvious and I believe more positive feedback and improvements can be achieved if Edmodo is used in the whole session. The level of student's engagement can also be improved if the online quizzes and assignments were graded so students will have more motivations to be part of the online learning activities.