INFLUENCE OF VIDEO AND SIMULATED MODES OF VIRTUAL LABORATORY ON UNDERGRADUATES’ SCIENCE MANIPULATIVE SKILLS IN PHARMACOLOGY IN NORTH- CENTRAL NIGERIA
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to determine the influence of video and simulated modes of virtual laboratory on undergraduates’ science manipulative skills in pharmacology in North-Central Nigeria. The study employed a Pretest-posttest control group quasi-experimental design. A multistage sampling technique was used, three universities were purposefully sampled, and a purposive sampling technique was also used to select three programmes: Medical Sciences, Veterinary Medicine and Nursing Sciences. Intact class was used, and treatments were randomly assigned to institutions. The institutions were assigned to Virtual laboratory simulation (VLS) (41), Virtual laboratory video (VLV) (53) and the control group (41) Total participants were 135. The Students' Virtual Laboratory Manipulative Skills Checklist (SVLMCL) was the measuring instrument used. Virtual Laboratory video package (VLVP), Virtual Laboratory Simulation Package (VLSP), Physical Laboratory (PL), were the procedural instruments used. Two null hypotheses were formulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) with Scheffe post hoc tests were used. Treatment significantly affected students' science manipulative skills (F (2, 115)= 8.03; p<.05; ŋ2 =.46). Undergraduates in the VLS group obtained higher mean score in manipulative skills in Pharmacology Practical ( = 38.54) than those in the VLV ( =36.54) control group ( =28.65). Gender had no significant effect (F (1, 115) = .33; p>.05; ŋ2 =..99), The findings of the study strongly affirm improved students’ science manipulative skills in Pharmacology through VLS and VLV. Based on these findings, it was recommended that Lecturers and laboratory technologists/Scientists handling Pharmacology practical be encouraged through training, workshops and provision of resources to integrate the video and simulated modes of the virtual laboratory in teaching and learning Pharmacology in the institutions of higher learning in North-Central Nigeria
