Evaluation of CAL in higher education Geography
- 1 March 2000
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Computer Assisted Learning
- Vol. 16 (1) , 72-82
- https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1365-2729.2000.00117.x
Abstract
In recent years the promotion and incorporation of computer‐assisted learning courseware has been a feature of many Geography departments in higher education in the UK. There is little disagreement that this development needs to be thoroughly evaluated to ensure quality and effectiveness. However there has been a lack of rigorous evaluation in practice. A detailed illuminative evaluation of 120 Geography students using focus group interviews and an attitude survey reveals that CAL packages remain unpopular with most learners. This can be attributed to the content and presentation of packages but it is also suggested that contexts of use and perhaps staff disinterest are explanatory factors. Some gender‐based and age‐based attitude differences are noted. This type of evaluation is of greater use to curriculum developers than objective‐led approaches.Keywords
This publication has 11 references indexed in Scilit:
- Checklists for the Evaluation of Educational Software: Critical Review and ProspectsInnovations in Education and Training International, 1998
- Evaluating Courseware: Some Critical QuestionsInnovations in Education and Training International, 1998
- Evaluating Undergraduate Education: the use of broad indicatorsAssessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 1996
- Rating Teaching in the USA: probing the qualifications of student raters and novice teachersAssessment & Evaluation in Higher Education, 1996
- Equality and CAL in Higher EducationJournal of Computer Assisted Learning, 1995
- Emerging technologies, ISD, and learning environments: Critical perspectivesEducational Technology Research and Development, 1992
- Cognitive Style, Gender, Attitude toward Computer‐assisted Learning and Academic AchievementEducational Studies, 1992
- Teaching techniques to attract women to science: Applications of feminist theories and methodologiesWomen's Studies International Forum, 1989
- Computer literacy: the pigeonhole principleACM SIGCAS Computers and Society, 1988
- Teaching spatial modelling using interacting computers and interactive computer graphicsJournal of Geography in Higher Education, 1985