Pedagogically-Improved blended learning of a chemistry course through a computerized virtual laboratory.

Abstract

In the last decades, ICT has been promoting the creation and adoption of new learning and teaching styles. Virtual (computerized) laboratories play vital roles in learning and teaching by overcoming some limitations of conventional hands-on experiments. The number of chemistry (physical) laboratories in the Science Laboratory Technology (SLT) Department in Accra Technical University (ATU), Ghana is inadequate for the current population of students. Consequently, laboratory practice by students is very low. In this paper, we propose a virtual chemistry laboratory with simulated experiments for SLT students in ATU to support their education. To corroborate the research problem, we utilized a quantitative (questionnaire) research method, which involved a sample size of 271 SLT students (n = 271). Evaluation results of the study showed that the majority of students in the SLT Department are willing to use the virtual chemistry lab, and most of the students consider the virtual labs as an educative platform that would help them attain practical knowledge in their chemistry studies.