A CORRELATIVE STUDY OF CD-ROM PICTURE BOOKS IN CLASSROOMS AND SCHOOL CHILDREN’S FORMATION OF DESCRIPTIVE CONCEPTS

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ABSTRACT

The central focus of this study was the development, use and evaluation of CD-ROM picture books in elementary school science teaching. Three CD-ROM picture books based on the Campus Insects unit from the new elementary school science curriculum in Taiwan were developed. A quasi-experimental method was used to compare the use of the CD-ROMs and traditional teaching approaches on student performance. The Reading Comprehension Tests of Insect Curriculum scores of the treatment-group students were significantly better than those of the comparison group with a 1.12 effect size. Students taught through normal means acquired few descriptive concepts of insects and could not use scientific terms to present ideas. However, students taught with CD-ROM picture books acquired middle-level or high-level descriptive concepts and used scientific terms to present ideas. CD-ROM picture books designed in this pattern can attract students’ interest in their classes; therefore, we suggest primary school teachers use these books in their science teaching.

KEY WORDS

CD-ROM picture books descriptive concepts scientific terms 
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© National Science Council, Taiwan 2010

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.Department of Science EducationNational Taipei University of EducationTaipeiRepublic of China
  2. 2.Taipei County Sioushan Elementary SchoolTaipeiRepublic of China
  3. 3.Taipei County Jian Elementary SchoolTaipeiRepublic of China

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