Does modality principle occur in the learning of C++ computer programming using screencasting?

This study examined whether the modality principle occurs or not in the learning of C++ computer programming using screencasting. According to Mayer and Clark (2011), the modality principle is defined as presenting words as speech rather than on-screen text is more effective in learning. In other words, the learning process will be more effective when information is explained by audio narrations rather than on-screen text. A true experimental pre-test and post-test research design was conducted to determine the modality effects. The experiment consisted of 65 first-year undergraduate students (aged 19-22) who have never attended any formal computer programming course prior to the study. The sample were randomly assigned to two groups: the first group received the screencasting and narration (SN) mode whereas the second group received the screencasting, text, and narration (STN) mode. After that, pre-test was conducted to ascertain their score before being exposed to the treatments. The pre-test results were used as covariate in the two-way ANCOVA analysis. Results showed that the SN mode students outperformed the STN mode students in the post-test. The significant outcome of the result might be due to the effectiveness of the SN mode that supported the Modality Principle.

PEMANFAATAN AUGMENTED REALITY PADA MEDIA PEMBELAJARAN SEJARAH TENTANG BENDA-BENDA BERSEJARAH PENINGGALAN KERAJAAN MAJAPAHIT DI TROWULAN MOJOKERTO

Sistem pembelajaran di sekolah saat ini pada umumnya masih menggunakan buku dan alat peraga tradisional sebagai media pembelajaran dalam kelas. Hasil pembelajaran pada mata pelajaran sejarah, khususnya tentang benda-benda bersejarah yang mengindikasikan masih rendah hasil belajar dan motivasi belajar peserta didik. Maka diperlukan media pembelajaran yang dapat membantu pembelajaran, dari penelitian ini peneliti berusaha mengatasi masalah tersebut dengan mengembangkan media pembelajaran berupa aplikasi dengan memanfaatkan teknologi augmented reality yang berbasis android untuk mensimulasikan gambar benda 3D. Sistem kerja Augmented Reality menggunakan marker based tracking. Dengan menggunakan software 3d Max dan plug-in Vuforia. Pembuatan media pembelajaran dengan teknologi Augmented Reality dengan menggunakan Modality Principle. Peserta partisipan yang direkrut adalah peserta didik kelas XI SMA Wachid Hasyim 2 Sidoarjo. Penelitian ini menggunakan penelitian eksperimen, diawali dengan tes awal (pretest), kemudian diberikan perlakukan (treatment) dan diakhiri dengan sebuah tes akhir (posttest) yang akan diberikan kelas eksperimen dan kelas kontrol. Pada hasil penelitian menunjukkan tidak ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara hasil belajar pre-test antara kelompok kontrol dan kelompok eksperimen. Selanjutnya dari hasil post-test menunjukkan ada peningkatan hasil belajar peserta didik dan motivasi belajar pada proses belajar, ada perbedaan yang signifikan antara kelompok kontrol dan kelompok eksperimen. Kelompok eksperimen lebih tinggi secara signifikan dalam motivasi belajar dibandingkan dengan hasil belajar pada kelompok kontrol. Dari observasi dan wawancara yang didapat peserta didik lebih aktif pada kegiatan pembelajaran dan peserta didik bersemangat untuk mengikuti pembelajaran. Hal ini membuktikan bahwa peserta didik tertarik pada media ini yang bisa membangkitkan motivasi belajar.

Designing and Implementing an Effective Courseware for the Enhancement of e-Learning

The objective of this study is to determine the effect of applying the cognitive theory of multimedia learning in an e-learning environment. Three versions of a course on how to master skills in Adobe Photoshop were designed and given to a sample of (60) students to test their effectiveness. This research sample was divided into three groups. The first was an experimental group that studied the subject through Course Facilitated Multimedia Principles (CFMP), like the multimedia principle, the modality principle and the contiguity principle. The second experimental group studied the subject through Course Not-Facilitated Multimedia Principles (CNFMP), which did not apply the multimedia principle. The last group is a control group that studied the subject through traditional methods. Learning outcomes were determined by achievement test. Differences between pre and post-test scores were analyzed. The results show that the students in the first experimental group had improved their academic achievement by 53.70%, while the students in the second experimental group improved by 45.80%. Finally, the students in the control group had improved their achievement only by 30.5%. The findings affirm that CFMP has more effect on student achievement than the traditional way or the CNFMP. This is an indication that the application of the multimedia principles has improved the students' ability to comprehend, and achieved higher levels in learning. We recommend that educators should continuously examine the effectiveness of their pedagogical strategies and smartly apply technologies to enhance student's learning.

THE EFFECTS OF TWO COMPUTERIZED PROGRAMS IN REDUCING JORDANIAN TERTIARY STUDENTS SPELLING ERRORS

This study investigated the effects of using two computerized programs on reducing the spelling errors Jordanian tertiary students. Ginger and Microsoft Word 2007 were used as two modes of presentation. These programs represented the textaudio and text modes, respectively, according to the modality principle. The spelling error levels (i.e., high, medium, and low) of the students were compared. This study was conducted based on Mayers cognitive theory of multimedia learning, dual route theory of efficient spelling, and spelling in the context approach. The modality principle was similarly used as an effective tool for improving the spelling performance and reducing the spelling errors of students. The study sample comprised 80 male and female second-year students who were purposefully selected from Hashemite University in Jordan. Both study groups took pre- and post-tests as well as participated in structured interviews to answer the main questions of the study. The spelling errors of these Jordanian students were classified into four types according to Cooks classification. the interference between the Arabic and English languages was clarified. The phonological differences between these languages may cause many spelling mistakes that may also affect how students pronounce words. The modality principle must be integrated into the instructional, curriculum, computer-based, and web-based designs to help students develop their spelling performance. EFL professors are encouraged to use programs with contextual spelling features for teaching their students how to spell. Future studies must investigate the effects of these contextual features on other language skills, such as pronunciation, grammar, and vocabulary. These studies must also measure the effects of using computerized programs on how students pronounce words.