The innovative use of smartphone for sound STEM practical kit: a pilot implementation for secondary classroom

ABSTRACT

Background

Recent studies have highlighted the application of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) knowledge into daily life via hands-on practical works. The limitations of the existing conventional laboratory work can be potentially overcome by the implementation of the innovative use of smartphones as an experimental tool due to its effectiveness and convenience to apply anywhere and anytime.

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to develop and evaluate the effectiveness of a sound STEM practical kit using free mobile apps for secondary school students. This study also examined student perceptions of the implementation of the developed sound practical kit.

Sample

Two intact Form 2 classes of secondary school students from a mainstream school in the state of Perak, Malaysia, were chosen using the cluster sampling method as research sample. One of the classes was selected as an experimental group (n = 36 students) with the implementation of developed sound practical kit, while the other class was a comparison group (n = 30 students) employing a conventional teaching method.

Methods

A developmental research design according to the ASSURE (Analyse learners; State objectives; Select media and materials; Utilise media and materials; Require learner participation; and Evaluate) instructional design model and quasi-experimental were employed in this study. A set of achievement test and open-ended questions were employed as research instruments. The data were analysed using a non-parametric test that included Mann-Whitney test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test, while the students’ feedbacks and comments were analysed using Qualitative Data Analysis (QDA) software.

Results

The findings demonstrated a significant difference between the posttest of the comparison group and the experimental group students.

Conclusions

In summary, the developed sound practical kit improved students’ understanding on the topic of sound. In implication, this study indicates that the implementation of STEM practical kit using free mobile apps promotes the interactive STEM teaching and learning process in secondary education.

KEYWORDS:

• Mobile learning
• secondary education
• sound STEM practical kit
• STEM education

Acknowledgments

This research has been carried out under the Fundamental Research Grant Scheme for Research Acculturation of Early Career Researchers (RACER) (2019-0171-107-62 (RACER/1/2019/SSI09/UPSI//2)) provided by the Ministry of Higher Education, MALAYSIA. The authors would like to extend their gratitude to Universiti Pendidikan Sultan Idris (UPSI) that helped to manage the grants.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia 2019-0171-107-62 [RACER/1/2019/SSI09/UPSI//2].