From Objectivism to Constructivism: The Effect of a Multimedia Constructivist Learning Environment on Form Four Students’ Achievement in Science & Its Impact on Computer Usage in Learning

Abstract

This study is conducted to examine the effects of a multimedia constructivist environment on Form Four students' achievement in the learning of Microorganism and Their Effects on Living Things. The Constructivist Learning Environment (CLE) was developed and is compared with the Ministry of Education courseware, Objectivist Learning Environment (OLE) .The purpose of the following study also to examine the impact of CLE vs. OLE use of computer for students. Both on-task (note taking, academic activities) and off-task (email, instant messaging, games, movies) behaviours were examined by surveying students. The CLE was assigned to 34 students whereas the OLE was assigned to 32 students. The independent variables were the multimedia approaches, i.e. the CLE and the OLE, whereas the dependent variable was the students' achievement (postest) and survey results on computer usage. Gender was selected as the moderator variables. This study found that (i) The students who are using the CLE courseware approach showed a significant difference in their achievement score compared to the students who are using the OLE courseware approach, (ii) The male students did not show a significant difference compared to the female students in their achievement score, (iii) The male students who are using the CLE approach showed a significant difference compared to the male students who are using OLE approach in their achievement score, (iv) The female students who are using the CLE approach showed a significant difference compared to the female students who are using OLE approach in their achievement score and (v) The students who are using the CLE courseware approach showed a significant difference of time spending on computer usage for learning compared to the students who are using the OLE courseware approach Overall, these findings support the positive effect of multimedia constructivist environment on the learning of Microorganism and Their Effects on Living Things. Keywords :Alessi and Trollip (2001), Constructivist Learning Environment (CLE), Jonassen (1999), Objectivist Learning Environment (OLE),