The Effectiveness of Discovery-Based Virtual Laboratory Learning to Improve Student Science Process Skills

Abstract

The inadequate condition of the laboratory, facilities, and infrastructure is the main obstacle to the lack of practicum activities. The purpose of this study was to examine the effectiveness of discovery-based virtual laboratory learning in improving science process skills of students. This type of research is a one-group-pretest-postest design research. Population and sample taken were students who took Basic Chemistry II course. The data collection method was carried out in a documentary manner and data analysis was in the form of calculating the percentage increase in science process skills and the criteria for the effectiveness of N-Gain. The results obtained were discovery-based virtual laboratory learning that succeeded in improving students' science process skills. Science process skills with high criteria increased by 91% and in the moderate category by 9%. Based on the N-Gain calculation, discovery-based virtual laboratory learning obtained an average percentage of effectiveness of 66% so it can be concluded that discovery-based virtual laboratory learning is quite effective in improving student science process skills. Through discovery-based virtual laboratory learning, student science process skills are more easily developed so that learning becomes more meaningful.

Students' Science Process Skills and Understanding on Ohm's Law and Direct Current Circuit Through Virtual Laboratory Based Predict-Observe-Explain Model

“…In addition, students can run simulations using their laptops, smartphones, or tablets anywhere. Nirmala & Darmawati (2021) also stated that students could be trained in several science process skills through virtual laboratory activities, making learning more exciting and fun. Most of students have science process skills in good categories after learning.…”

“…This study shows that students have the opportunity to improve the science process skills through investigation activities such as observation, formulating problems, hypnotizing, collecting data, testing hypotheses, and concluding. Also, Nirmala & Darmawati (2021) found that virtual laboratory learning has succeeded in improving students' science process skills.…”

The Effect of Science Kit and Supervision Models on The Implementation and Implications on The Evaluation of Science Practicum Distance Learning

“…Practicum plays a crucial role in face-to-face tutorials because it can provide students with scientific method training by following the instructions detailed in the instruction sheet. Practicum is a learning interaction between students and learning materials to observe and understand material about nature (Nirmala & Darmawati, 2021). By doing practicum, students will become sure of one thing.…”

The Application of Inquiry Intelligent Tutoring System in Biology Practicum

“…Biology consists of theory and practical science. However, the Biology learning process will be more straightforward if the learning process is not only obtained through a collection of theories, laws, principles, and facts and related to how knowledge is obtained, namely by experiment (Ani Cahyadi et al, 2021;Nirmala & Darmawati, 2021;Selwyn & Renaud-Assemat, 2020).…”

“…Moreover, many students struggle with formulating hypotheses, testing their theories, and completing practicums. In the conventional practicum, laboratory assistants will offer direct feedback when students make mistakes throughout the learning process (Almroth, 2015;Nirmala & Darmawati, 2021). However, in a virtual laboratory, lab assistants cannot accompany all students as they practice at home, and they do not receive feedback throughout the learning process when they misread data or lose vital knowledge (Bangert et al, 2022;Engzell et al, 2021).…”