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?

摘要

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.