The effectiveness of remote-controlled laboratory system for primary science education

The research aims to provide a critical evaluation of an innovative context of remote-controlled laboratory (RCL) system which is specifically designed and developed to employ technology-enhanced inquiry for the development of scientific knowledge, skills, values and attitudes that related to primary science education. The first part of this study is to design and develop of an innovative context of RCL system through technology-enhanced inquiry for Hong Kong primary science education. However, it is hard to evaluate this innovative system just based on the design or development itself. As a result, this RCL system is firstly applied and evaluated by Hong Kong student teachers who have studied the science education and related teaching training courses. Then, a critical evaluation using in a real classroom setting will be conducted as the second part of the study. RCL activity is a subset of technology enhanced learning (TEL) which is employing latest and innovative technology that can be potentially applied into science education context particularly in primary level. The RCL system is commonly divided into two major parts, namely, hardware and software. The hardware part consists of the data acquisition system, digital input or output (IO), camera, and various types of sensors. The software part executes data logging as well as controls and displays the real-time experiment on the computer screen via the Internet. The application of the RCL system is aimed at studying certain scientific principles that related to topic “Adaptation of plants to the environment” by conducting inquiry experiments through the RCL system. The underlying scientific concepts and principles closely match the General Studies curriculum of Hong Kong primary education as recommended by the Education Bureau of the HKSAR. Moreover, I shall assess if these RCL activities can offer an effective, meaningful and fun learning to primary students in my further evaluation study.