Dissertation
Laboratory equipment for teaching and students’ attitudes towards technology
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Laboratory equipment for teaching and students’ attitudes towards technologyThis study found that the status of laboratory apparatus for teaching has a significant positive effect on students' attitudes towards technology (β = 0.172; SE = 0.068; t = 2.529; p = 0.011; f2 = 0.010). In the context of mechanical engineering education in Ghanaian technical universities, this suggests that students with increased access to laboratory equipment have a more favourable attitude towards technology. These findings are consistent with prior research that emphasizes the significance of laboratory apparatus in shaping students' attitudes towards technology (e.g., Chatterjee et al., 2022; Yapa et al., 2019) The positive relationship between LET and ATT can be understood through the lens of Kolb's (1984) experiential learning theory, which posits that hands-on experience with technology is essential for nurturing positive attitudes and improving learning outcomes. Students are able to engage in practical, hands-on learning experiences when they have access to high-quality laboratory apparatus, which can lead to more positive attitudes towards technology. On the basis of these findings, it can be concluded that the status of laboratory equipment for teaching has a significant positive influence on students' attitudes towards technology. However, it is essential to acknowledge the research's limitations. First, the sample size and scope are restricted to mechanical engineering students at Ghanaian technical institutions, which may limit the generalizability of the findings to other disciplines or nations. Second, the study relies on student self- reported data, which may be susceptible to social desirability bias. Future research could incorporate objective measures of laboratory equipment quality and student attitudes as a means of addressing this problem. Nonetheless, the study provides important insights into the relationship between the condition of laboratory apparatus for teaching and students' attitudes towards technology in Ghanaian technical universities. The findings suggest that enhancing the quality and availability of laboratory equipment can improve students' attitudes towards technology, which may then result in improved learning outcomes in mechanical engineering programmes. These insights can assist policymakers and educators in bridging the digital skills divide and improving the quality of engineering education through the use of disruptive technologies. Download 2.1 Mb. Share with your friends:
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