ASSESSMENT OF THE EFFECTS OF EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY TOOLS ON STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES

Abstract

This study examined if there were any significant differences in students’ achievement scores in science for three units that were taught using traditional methods of instruction and a unit that was taught using educational technology tools in instruction and specifically, interactive multimedia technology. A one-way repeated measures ANOVA was carried out to assess if the differences between the test means were significantly different. Findings showed that students’ scores for the four units were significantly different, F (3, 219) = 22.702, p˂ 0.0005. Students scored higher on the posttest after the use of interactive multimedia technology in instruction. The results of the current study indicate the need to change educational anticipations, as teaching methods become more active, student-centered and constructivist. Multimedia has attributes that can help students improve their learning and motivation while being engaged in active, student-centered and constructivist learning environments. The use of instructional interactive multimedia can satisfy more than one learning modality and can be more effective in meeting students’ learning needs.