Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher education
IntroductionE-learning innovations have transformed higher education, particularly in STEM fields like chemistry. Traditional laboratory instruction faces limitations such as high costs, safety concerns, and accessibility issues. Virtual laboratories provide scalable alternatives to enhance student...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-02-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Education |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1485600/full |
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| author | Nawal Alqallaf Zahra Almahmeed Ahmad Alsaber Bedour Alboloushi Anwaar Alkandari Fatimah Alhashem |
| author_facet | Nawal Alqallaf Zahra Almahmeed Ahmad Alsaber Bedour Alboloushi Anwaar Alkandari Fatimah Alhashem |
| author_sort | Nawal Alqallaf |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionE-learning innovations have transformed higher education, particularly in STEM fields like chemistry. Traditional laboratory instruction faces limitations such as high costs, safety concerns, and accessibility issues. Virtual laboratories provide scalable alternatives to enhance student engagement and comprehension. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Crocodile Chemistry program in improving students’ understanding of chemical concepts, academic performance, and motivation at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET).MethodsA quasi-experimental design compared an experimental group (n = 102) using Crocodile Chemistry with a control group (n = 103) following traditional laboratory instruction. Pre-test and post-test assessments were conducted using the Alternative Chemical Concepts Test. Paired t-tests measured performance changes, and correlation analysis assessed learning consistency. The Partial Credit Model (PCM) evaluated test reliability and instructional effectiveness.ResultsPaired t-tests revealed significant performance improvements for the experimental group (p < 0.05), whereas the control group showed minimal changes. PCM analysis demonstrated higher reliability for the experimental group (0.774) compared to the control (0.403), indicating better differentiation of student abilities. Correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between pre- and post-test scores (r = −0.795, p < 0.001), confirming the program’s role in enhancing learning outcomes.DiscussionThe findings highlight the potential of virtual laboratories to modernize chemistry education by improving comprehension, engagement, and academic performance. This study supports the integration of digital tools in higher education to enhance learning outcomes and student motivation. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-3f278d294675471f9c1bb765140ddabe |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2504-284X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-02-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Education |
| spelling | doaj-art-3f278d294675471f9c1bb765140ddabe2025-02-07T06:49:37ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Education2504-284X2025-02-011010.3389/feduc.2025.14856001485600Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher educationNawal Alqallaf0Zahra Almahmeed1Ahmad Alsaber2Bedour Alboloushi3Anwaar Alkandari4Fatimah Alhashem5Department of General Sciences, College of Nursing, The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait City, KuwaitDepartment of Natural Sciences, College of Health Sciences, The Public Authority for Applied Education and Training, Kuwait City, Kuwait City, KuwaitDepartment of Business and Management, American University of Kuwait, Salmiya, KuwaitDepartment of Business and Management, Kuwait College of Science and Technology, Kuwait City, KuwaitDepartment of Business and Management, Kuwait Technical College, Kuwait City, KuwaitIndependent Researcher, Kuwait City, KuwaitIntroductionE-learning innovations have transformed higher education, particularly in STEM fields like chemistry. Traditional laboratory instruction faces limitations such as high costs, safety concerns, and accessibility issues. Virtual laboratories provide scalable alternatives to enhance student engagement and comprehension. This study evaluates the effectiveness of the Crocodile Chemistry program in improving students’ understanding of chemical concepts, academic performance, and motivation at the Public Authority for Applied Education and Training (PAAET).MethodsA quasi-experimental design compared an experimental group (n = 102) using Crocodile Chemistry with a control group (n = 103) following traditional laboratory instruction. Pre-test and post-test assessments were conducted using the Alternative Chemical Concepts Test. Paired t-tests measured performance changes, and correlation analysis assessed learning consistency. The Partial Credit Model (PCM) evaluated test reliability and instructional effectiveness.ResultsPaired t-tests revealed significant performance improvements for the experimental group (p < 0.05), whereas the control group showed minimal changes. PCM analysis demonstrated higher reliability for the experimental group (0.774) compared to the control (0.403), indicating better differentiation of student abilities. Correlation analysis showed a strong relationship between pre- and post-test scores (r = −0.795, p < 0.001), confirming the program’s role in enhancing learning outcomes.DiscussionThe findings highlight the potential of virtual laboratories to modernize chemistry education by improving comprehension, engagement, and academic performance. This study supports the integration of digital tools in higher education to enhance learning outcomes and student motivation.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1485600/fullchemistrye-learningvirtual laboratoryvirtual simulationCrocodile Chemistry programchemical concepts |
| spellingShingle | Nawal Alqallaf Zahra Almahmeed Ahmad Alsaber Bedour Alboloushi Anwaar Alkandari Fatimah Alhashem Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher education Frontiers in Education chemistry e-learning virtual laboratory virtual simulation Crocodile Chemistry program chemical concepts |
| title | Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher education |
| title_full | Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher education |
| title_fullStr | Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher education |
| title_full_unstemmed | Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher education |
| title_short | Advancing education through e-learning innovation: the case of the Crocodile Chemistry program in higher education |
| title_sort | advancing education through e learning innovation the case of the crocodile chemistry program in higher education |
| topic | chemistry e-learning virtual laboratory virtual simulation Crocodile Chemistry program chemical concepts |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2025.1485600/full |
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