A comparison and evaluation of the effectiveness of computer simulated laboratory instruction versus traditional laboratory instruction in solid state electronics circuitry

This study was designed to compare and evaluate the effectiveness of computer simulated laboratory instruction versus traditional laboratory instruction (utilizing actual electronics components) for educating college students about solid state electronics circuitry. The study also examined the students\u27 attitude toward computer simulated laboratory instruction versus traditional laboratory instruction as a means of conducting laboratory activities;A pretest-posttest control group design was used in this experiment. In this study, the researcher randomly assigned subjects to particular groups. The experimental group received the pretests, experimental treatment, posttest I, traditional treatment, posttest II, and the posttests, while the control group received the pretests, traditional treatment, posttest I, experimental treatment, posttest II, and the posttests;Findings indicated that no significant difference existed between the computer simulated laboratory instruction and the traditional method of instruction as revealed by the mean scores of the posttest I with the pretest as a covariate, posttest III with the posttest II as a covariate, and posttest III with the pretest as a covariate;Findings also indicated no significant difference existed between students\u27 attitude toward computer simulated laboratory instruction and traditional methods of instruction. Results did reveal that student attitudes were favorable to a similar extent with regard to both the simulation and the traditional methods of laboratory instruction;Findings indicated that significant differences did exist between the computer simulated laboratory instruction and the traditional method of instruction as revealed by mean scores of the posttest II with the posttest I as a covariate. The results revealed that the simulation group scored significantly higher than the traditional group. Since the treatment groups switched after two weeks perhaps, the sequence of instruction was an important factor. Also, a significant difference was found between the combined pretests and the combined posttests means of the experimental and control groups. This indicated that both instructional methods contributed to higher posttest III scores;The results of this study revealed that combined computer simulated laboratory instruction with the traditional methods of instruction will maximize the students\u27 understanding of solid state electronics circuitry;From this study, the researcher concluded the following: (1) students learned electronics circuitry concepts more when they utilized actual electronics components and then used computer simulations; and (2) computer simulated laboratory instruction should be used to extend the traditional methods of laboratory instruction