Using Web-Based Instruction To Improve Achievements in Professional Courses in The Chinese Naval Academy

• Main Author: Lee, Jueen
• Published: NSUWorks 1999
• Subjects: Computer Sciences
• Online Access: http://nsuworks.nova.edu/gscis_etd/664

This study conducted the first research that related to educational technology on the professional courses offered by a military school in the Republic of China. As the only educational institute to prepare professional naval officers, the Chinese Naval Academy (CNA) has consistently proven to be a good learning environment for the midshipmen to prepare them as the major combat force of Republic of China Navy (ROCN). Since educational technology progressed rapidly in these few years, the CAN granted permission to conduct experimental research to examine the effect of Web-based instruction (WEI) and a survey to understand the students' attitude toward WEI as a part of their learning environment. All 113 freshmen, the subjects of the experimental research were randomly assigned: 55 in the control group and 58 in the experimental group. The subject matter was a unit of a mandatory course: The International Regulations for Preventing Collisions at Sea. A newly designed WBI served as the treatment. The measurement instrument was provided by the CNA. The survey was designed based on Shneiderman's (1997) Questionnaire for User Interface Satisfaction and participation in the survey was voluntary. The major findings of the experimental research include: (a) the academic backgrounds of the two groups were equal to each other; (b) the experimental group had a better average score with a statistical significant difference between two groups; (c) the scores distribution of the post-test also demonstrated that WBI may help the students who were not successful in the conventional teaching method to do well in their studies. The return rate of the questionnaire was 73.5% (113 distributed and 83 returned). The students solidly showed their enthusiasm for the WBI with the answers of the survey. Based on these findings, the researcher made some concluding observations: (a) WBI must verify its usability by alpha and beta tests and an experimental research must be conducted before it is put in use; (b) the first WEI implementation in the CNA had a positive impact on the learning of the subject matter; (c) the CNA should build its own manpower to create the WEI for maintaining the national security; (d) the midshipmen agreed that the WBI was enjoyable and provide a good instructional delivery system; and (e) the CNA should create a database for maximizing developer productivity. The researcher has concluded that widespread implement of WEI will improve the readiness of the junior officers of ROCN.