Mobile Based Inquiry Learning Application for Experiment Planning in the 8th Grade Chemistry Classroom

Abstract

Although inquiry-based learning has been used in science classrooms for some time, students still have low inquiry skills, especially when it comes to formulating hypotheses and research questions and planning experiments. Taking stock of a growing number of mobile devices in schools and many advantages offered by mobile learning, we tried to solve the problem with the help of mobile learning. We developed a mobile based inquiry learning application which can be used as part of the chemistry lesson where students have to plan chemistry experiments. The application was tested in an 8 th grade chemistry lesson with 22 students. Pre- and post-test showed no significant change in students’ experiment planning scores because we only used the tool in one lesson; however, data collected by a questionnaire on feedback and potential usefulness of the tool according to the UTAUT model and conducted interviews confirmed that the application was easy to use and has potential in learning chemistry. Students and their teacher saw many benefits of the application, such as chance for individual learning, immediate and individual feedback and ease of use. According to our study, the application works well on both individual and collaborative learning scenarios. Observations confirmed that the application was easy to use and students had positive emotions while using it. In order to further test the application and get more data, a larger sample is needed for testing. Using the application in a longer period of time is also suggested.