Indicators and Profile Groups of Readiness in Using Virtual Laboratory of Science Teacher

Abstract

The purposes of this research were 1) to synthesize the indicators of readiness in using virtual laboratory of science teachers and 2) to analyze a latent profile of readiness in using virtual laboratory of science teachers. the quality of readiness assessment in using virtual laboratory of science teachers. This research studies on two stages by interview the virtual technology and science education specialists, with a total of eight persons. The sample group was high school teachers, Central region across Thailand, with a total of 144 teachers, two-stage random sampling. Data were collected by using semi-structure interview and readiness assessment in using virtual laboratory of science teachers’ questionnaire. This study examines the quality of measures in terms of their content validity and reliability (Omega=.971-.984). The data were analyzed using latent profile analysis with Mplus Version 7.3 programming.

The research revealed the following findings:

1. The readiness assessment in using virtual laboratory of science teachers’ questionnaire is a 5-point rating scale, Likert type ranging from 1(Strongly disagree) to 5( Strongly agree) of 42 items comprising of three indicators in terms of TPACK competency, technology using attitude and Virtual laboratory resources.

2. Latent profile analysis of readiness in using virtual laboratory of science teachers can be classified into 3 classes (VLMR =219.881, p=0.0965, AIC =2,628.07, BIC=2,740.923, Adjusted BIC=2,620.681, and Entropy = 0.931): Class 1 Teacher lacking of readiness in using virtual laboratory (14.58%), Class 2 Teacher lacking of knowledge and skill in using virtual laboratory (50.69%), and Class 3 Teacher having readiness in using virtual laboratory (50.69%).