Effectiveness of Using Appropriate Blended Learning Tools for Teaching and Learning Computer Programming Related Courses

Abstract

With the advent of technology there are plenty of blended learning tools available for us to use in teaching and training activity. Selecting appropriate tools for a particular category of students and the nature of the subject being taught is important to achieve better academic results. Hence, the objective of this research is to assess effectiveness of various blended learning tools and to find the appropriate tool for teaching a computer programming related subject. The subject considered in this research is “Knowledge-based systems (ECP3126)” offered for electronics engineering students at Multimedia University of Melaka campus in Malaysia. This subject was delivered using four selected blended learning digital tools; ED puzzle virtual classroom videos, Home works on MMLS, MMLS online Quiz and MMLS discussion board, at the beginning of Trimester 2, 2018/2019. They were asked in the middle of the trimester to rate the usefulness of the four selected blended learning digital tools in a 5-point scale using an online survey.  The analysis made in the form of a bar graph of the students’ feedback shows that out of the four tools “ED puzzle virtual classroom videos” is the most useful one with a score of 65, that is followed by “MMLS discussion board” with a score of 59. Hence more number of “virtual classroom videos” was used during the second half of the trimester. The effectiveness of using “virtual classroom videos” compared to other tools was revealed when the achievements of the students in terms of their academic performance were compared with previous year. It clearly shows that the academic performance of the students of year 2019 is better than of students of 2018. Hence it is recommended to choose appropriate tools based on students’ interest as we are moving towards student centred learning.