Determining the effects of microscope simulation on achievement, ability, reports, and opinions about microscope in general biology laboratory course

Abstract

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the effects of microscope simulation software on prospective science teachers’ laboratory achievements, microscope use, laboratory reports and views on microscope which was prepared for general biology laboratory. The case study design was adopted for the research. The participants were 49 science teacher candidates. Almost half of them assigned as comparison group while the others are assigned as implementation group. While the comparison group continued to have laboratory activities through traditional method, the implementation group had laboratory activities with the support of interactive microscope software. The data of the study was collected through the achievement test for biology laboratory, observation form for microscope use, assessment scale for laboratory reports, and views on microscope form. The qualitative data was analyzed through the inductive analysis processes while the quantitative data was analyzed through statistical methods. As a result, the microscope simulation had no effect on laboratory achievements and laboratory reports but help to develop ability to use microscopes. As a result, the development of educational software which can be used at the higher education levels as well as the primary and secondary education levels have high potential to bring positive results. © 2019 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.