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Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation among students for laboratory courses – Assessing the impact of virtual laboratories

Publication Type : Journal Article

Publisher : Science Direct

Source : Computers & Education Volume 198, June 2023

Url : https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2023.104758

Campus : Amritapuri

School : School of Biotechnology

Center : Amrita Mind Brain Center, Biotechnology, Computational Neuroscience and Neurophysiology

Department : biotechnology

Year : 2023

Abstract : Understanding the role of motivation in engaging students in laboratory skill education is crucial for learning and academic achievement. Physical laboratories in science are considered experiential learning environments where students develop high-level conceptual learning. Attitudes towards these laboratories affect the efficacy of skill training. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, computer-based virtual laboratories (VL) had emerged as a potential medium for skill training and experimentation, compatible with lockdown restrictions. However, there remains a significant gap in VL adoption due to the lack of awareness and familiarity of VL amongst teachers and students. This study examined the key motivational factors impacting the efficacy of VLs to teach students laboratory skills and tasks. The survey-based data for the study was collected using an intrinsic motivation inventory (IMI) scale, self-reported survey responses for extrinsic factors, and a teachers' VL perception scale. Independent sample t-test and automatic linear modeling (LINEAR) were used to analyze the data. The findings show that the animated graphic learning materials of VLs had a higher impact on students' intrinsic motivation than the e-book learning materials. The role of teachers was also crucial in increasing students' motivation levels for performing laboratory experiments using VL. The results also indicate performing VL experiments for longer durations or multiple times, positively influenced students’ laboratory performance.

Cite this Research Publication : Shyam Diwakar, Vysakh Kani Kolil, Saneesh P. Francis, Krishnashree Achuthan "Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation among students for laboratory courses - Assessing the impact of virtual laboratories", Computers & Education Volume 198, June 2023

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