supervisors: Hannie Gijlers
Genetics is a key discipline for understanding biodiversity, disease mechanisms, and genetic engineering, occupying a central place in science education. Learning genetics often proves challenging due to the extensive use of professional terminology and abstract concepts, necessitating educators to explore more effective teaching methods to enhance student understanding and interest. With the advancement of technology, virtual characters have been introduced as a visual presentation tool in educational fields, particularly in digital learning environments. These representational elements may enhance learner engagement and motivation. This study aims to assess the impact of virtual character presentation on the learning processes of students in genetics courses.
Methodology
This research will analyze the log file data of Taiwanese middle and high school students learning genetics on the Go-Lab platform. The dataset includes records of 250 middle school students learning Mendelian monohybrid inheritance and 150 high school students studying dihybrid inheritance. These log files record student interactions using two different presentation modes: with virtual characters and with pure text instructions. The study will involve data cleaning and preprocessing, followed by descriptive statistical analysis to explore how different presentation methods affect student learning behavior. Additionally, comparative analyses will be conducted to assess whether the use of virtual characters significantly impacts the students' learning process.
references
Chen, H. C., Gijlers, H., Sui, C. J., & Chang, C. Y. (2023). Asian Students’ Cultural Orientation and Computer Self-Efficacy Significantly Related to Online Inquiry-Based Learning Outcomes on the Go-Lab Platform. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 32(5), 743-758.
de Jong, T. (2019). Moving towards engaged learning in STEM domains; there is no simple answer, but clearly a road ahead. Journal of computer assisted learning, 35(2), 153-167.
Li, Q., de Jong, M. D., & Karreman, J. (2021). Getting the picture: A cross-cultural comparison of Chinese and Western users’ preferences for image types in manuals for household appliances. Journal of Technical Writing and Communication, 51(2), 137–158.
Thomson, N., & Stewart, J. (2003). Genetics inquiry: Strategies and knowledge geneticists use in solving transmission genetics problems. Science Education, 87(2), 161–180. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.10065