Paper Info
Title
Students' perceptions of constructivist Internet learning environments by a physics virtual laboratory: the gap between ideal and reality and gender differences.
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to investigate the perceptions of Internet users of a physics virtual laboratory, Demolab, in Taiwan. Learners' perceptions of Internet-based learning environments were explored and the role of gender was examined by using preferred and actual forms of a revised Constructivist Internet-based Learning Environment Survey (CILES). The students expressed a clear gap between ideal and reality, and they showed higher preferences for many features of constructivist Internet-based learning environments than for features they had actually learned in Demolab. The results further suggested that male users prefer to be involved in the process of discussion and to show critical judgments. In addition, male users indicated they enjoyed the process of negotiation and discussion with others and were able to engage in reflective thoughts while learning in Demolab. In light of these findings, male users seemed to demonstrate better adaptability to the constructivist Internet-based learning approach than female users did. Although this study indicated certain differences between males and females in their responses to Internet-based learning environments, they also shared numerous similarities. A well-established constructivist Internet-based learning environment may encourage more female learners to participate in the science community.
Year
DOI
Venue
2008
10.1089/cpb.2007.0024
CYBERPSYCHOLOGY & BEHAVIOR
Field
DocType
Volume
Constructivism (philosophy of education),Adaptability,Social psychology,Virtual Laboratory,Constructivist teaching methods,Psychology,Learning environment,Multimedia,Perception,The Internet,Negotiation
Journal
11
Issue
ISSN
Citations 
2
1094-9313
4
PageRank 
References 
Authors
0.46
10
3
Name
Order
Citations
PageRank
Shih-Chyueh Chuang1765.92
Fu-Kwun Hwang2305.42
Chin-Chung Tsai32269164.88