Virtual laboratory package for conducting Nigerian secondary school physics experiments: How novel, how interactive and how friendly?

Abstract

This study was carried out to examine the novelty, interactive and user-friendly features of virtual laboratory package meant for conducting selected Nigerian secondary school physics experiments. Descriptive survey research was adopted and three research questions guided the study. Purposive sampling technique was employed to select 57 respondents (comprising 22 instructional design experts & 35 computer experts) who assessed the package in terms of the aforementioned features using questionnaire. The questionnaire was subjected to validation and reliability checks prior to usage for data collection. Data gathered were analyzed using Mean and Standard deviation. Findings revealed that experts considered the package novel and user-friendly but not interactive. Based on these findings, it was recommended that awareness on novel learning technologies should be created in schools, and that, developers should ensure learning packages possess interactive features that will enhance communication and improve their chances of being selected and utilized in teaching and learning process.