Abstract
This study was carried out to evaluate the effectiveness of mobile learning app based on collaborative learning in authentic environment (known as AKSES) and its impact on the preschool students’ basic scientific process skills competency namely; observation, classification and communication. In addition, the study also investigated competency patterns of the students’ skills. This study was a quantitative study which used two sets of instruments which looked into AKSES application and marking rubrics of the students’ basic scientific process skills. Based on quasi-experimental study, the duration of the study was seven weeks and six learning activities were implemented. Two rural preschools were selected based on quota sample selection and 25 students were in each controlled and treatment groups. Analysis of the survey data was carried out in the form of descriptive and inferential analysis involving Mann-Whitney U test. The Mann-Whitney U test analysis found significant differences in competency patterns of basic scientific process skills in both groups. Meanwhile, the competency patterns of basic scientific process skills indicated positive increase among all preschool students after the utilization of AKSES application in learning activities based on collaborative learning strategy in an authentic environment.
Highlights
The tactfulness of a teacher in determining the most effective and viable approach to be applied in T&L process is essential
Real learning based on actual situations and realities is capable of exposing students as to how a concept materialised and applied in real life (Latham & Carr, 2012)
According to Noor Azean (2012) authentic learning refers to a learning characterization that encompasses activities based on real situations with the application of skills and knowledge of a concept that ranges from problem-solving approach up to the authentic activity itself
Summary
The tactfulness of a teacher in determining the most effective and viable approach to be applied in T&L process is essential. There is a number of relevant researches to authentic learning and its components as follow: Notwithstanding, to achieve meaningful learning i.e. authentic learning environment, students have to be exposed to a learning activity that encourages them to communicate and exchange opinions with one another (Dikkers, 2013a; Tham & Tham, 2013; Woodley-Cook, Prabhudesai, & Moloney, 2013) There is another learning strategy that is capable of increasing students’ communication level and other skills during the T&L process such as collaborative learning strategy. Apart from the abovementioned strategies, teachers would have to consider alternative approaches in delivery of teaching information besides the traditional methodologies commonly applied in the classroom This is to draw students’ interests with particular to the young ones to understand the lesson and systematically in support for learning in authentic environment as well as the initiation of collaborative learning. It is seen as capable in helping to increase students’ required skills as in the preschool learning that involves inculcation of scientific process (Lati, Supasorn, & Promarak, 2012; Turiman et al, 2012)
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