Overcoming Laboratory Anxiety through Technology-Integrated Laboratory Activities

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the effect of technology-integrated activities on the students' laboratory anxiety. The adapted instrument, Laboratory Anxiety Questionnaires (LAQ) was administered as a pre-test to 46 BS Food Technology students who enlisted in Organic Chemistry Laboratory at the Mariano Marcos State University, City of Batac, Philippines. The researchers conducted action research in a search for ways to achieve 21st-century pedagogy to gear students in gaining 21st-century skills for them to become future proof and to thrive in a transforming world. Mobile applications and video clips were used in the instruction. After technology integration and performing the laboratory activities in two weeks, LAQ was applied as a post-test. The study was designed as a pre-test-postest without control group action research. Frequency and percentages were computed to determine the specific laboratory anxieties that were overcome after the intervention. Results showed that the anxiety in handling chemicals, laboratory materials and equipment, laboratory accidents and committing mistakes during the experiment were overcome in high percentages. The integration of technology such as mobile applications and videos reduces the students' laboratory anxiety.