MATERIALS AND METHODS
In order to conduct a comparison between traditional learning and technology enhanced learning, we designed several e-lessons with different styles of learning according to VAK model. These e-lessons are intended to explain arithmetic, logical and relational computer operations for students. The study aims at comparing students’ results after studying this course in different learning styles which are: traditional, visual, audio, and kinesthetic styles, the last three styles represent VAK model. Each e-lesson is structured as following:
• Lesson 1 : Arithmetic operations lesson: ( precedence rules and examples )
• Lesson 2 : Relational operations lesson: ( precedence rules and examples )
• Lesson 3 : Logical operations lesson: (Precedence rules and examples)
• Lesson 4: Precedence rules of combination of all types of operations
with examples Several e-lessons were designed to explain these lessons but in different learning styles explained in the VAK model which are: Visual, Auditory, and Kinesthetic learning styles. To satisfy the student's preferences 3 e-lessons were designed to correspond to these 3 learning styles: visual e-lesson, auditory e-lesson and kinesthetic e-lesson.
In visual e-lesson, the students watch video lessons that explain precedence of operations in the lesson in moving symbols. Also, lessons give an example on how to solve an equation containing one or more operation in moving symbols, where the movement of the operations shows the correct operation execution precedence. In auditory lessons, audio is added to the video lesson. The audio is voice recorded that explain the lesson being viewed in video. In this style, students can hear and see explanation of different lessons with equations examples solved in the same style. In kinesthetic lessons, students are able to
move objects representing operations by dragging them into their correct order according
to the precedence rules. Using this style students interact with equations and learn the lessons by trial and error. this is similar in nature to active learning techniques, which is recommended by many researchers in order to reach a higher percentage of students[11].
In order to conduct the comparison between traditional learning and technology enhanced learning, several experiments are conducted to test students’ achievement after taking these lessons in the previously described e-lessons. A description of all experiments conducted and their results are described in the following section.