Investigating the influence of virtual chemistry laboratories on learners’ attitudes towards chemistry in rural schools

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.38140/ijer-2025.vol7.2.16

Keywords:

Learners’ attitudes, chemistry, rural schools, virtual laboratories, secondary schools

Abstract

This study investigates the influence of Virtual Chemistry Laboratories (VCLs) on Grade 12 learners' attitudes towards Chemistry in rural secondary schools in the Sekhu­khune East District, Limpopo Province, South Africa. Employ­ing a quasi-experimental pre-post non-equivalent control group design, 115 learners were assigned to an experimental group (EG) utilising VCLs and a control group (CG) receiving conventional teacher-centred instruction. The Attitudes To­wards Chemistry Scale (ATCS), comprising 24 items, was val­idated by two senior education specialists in Chemistry. Reli­ability analysis indicated a Cronbach’s alpha of 0.82, demon­strating good internal consistency. To compare pre–post ATCS results, data were analysed using ANCOVA at a = 0.05. The covariate (pre-ATCS scores) significantly predicted post-test scores, F(1,112) = 8.56, p = 0.004, n² = 0.07. After controlling for pre-test scores, the instructional method had a significant effect, F(1,112) = 20.62, p < 0.001, n² = 0.16, with the experi­mental group outperforming the control group. The results suggest that VCLs significantly improved learners’ attitudes towards Chemistry, highlighting their influence as learner-centred instructional tools. The study recommends integrat­ing VCLs into the Physical Sciences curriculum and providing professional development for educators to effectively imple­ment VCL-based instruction.

Author Biographies

Rudorwashe Hungwe, Durban University of Technology, South Africa

Rudorwashe Hungwe is a doctoral student in the School of Education at the Durban University of Technology in South Africa. His studies focus towards the integration of immersive virtual chemistry laboratories for effective academic achievement and attitudes improvement.

Mamothibe Thamae, Durban University of Technology, South Africa

Dr Mamothibe Thamae is an Senior Lecturer in the School of Education at the Durban University of Technology in South Africa. She has presented at local and international conferences and has written several journal articles, has a passion for Teacher Education and Decolonisation in education, and lectures Physical Chemistry and Analytical Chemistry.

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Published

2025-10-11

How to Cite

Hungwe, R., Thamae, M., & Dewa, M. (2025). Investigating the influence of virtual chemistry laboratories on learners’ attitudes towards chemistry in rural schools. Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research, 7(2), a16. https://doi.org/10.38140/ijer-2025.vol7.2.16

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (2025): Interdisciplinary Journal of Education Research

Section

Education Research Articles

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Copyright (c) 2025 Rudorwashe Hungwe, Mamothibe Thamae, Mendon Dewa

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

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