Computers to Supplement Instruction in Science Labs

Abstract: Horticulture and Applied Biology and Chemistry students at a large comprehensive high school in Southeast Georgia participated in a study comparing traditional and computer-supplemented laboratory methods. Student attitudes, teacher attitudes and student performance were measured using journal entries, observations, surveys and post-tests. Both groups received similar instruction and preparation for laboratory activities in plant science, but the Applied Biology and Chemistry students completed computer-supplemented labs using BioBLAST software while the Horticulture students completed traditional plant science labs. Results showed favorable student and teacher attitudes toward the computer-simulated experiments. Results on the post-tests did not show a significant difference from one group to the other