Identification of Quality Indicators of Visual-based Learning Material in Technology Education Programs for Grades 7-12.

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify the quality indicators of visual-based learning material in technology education for grades 7-12. A three-round modified Delphi method was used to answer the following research questions: RQ1: What indicators should quality visual-based learning material in technology education have to be effective and efficient in transmitting information for grades 7-12? RQ2: What are the indicators of the learner's characteristics that impact the selection of visual-based learning material in technology education for grades 7-12? The quality indicators were determined by consensus reached by a panel of 21 educational experts randomly selected from participants in two NSF funded projects that pilot and field-tested visual learning material in technology education courses. The two funded projects were VisTE and TECH-Know. In the first round, the experts' panel was provided with examples of quality indicators. The example indicators in the first round instrument derived from the literature review. The first round of the modified Delphi method used an open-ended questionnaire format in which the experts were asked to keep, reject, modify or add a new characteristic. The responses generated by the first round contributed to the development of the Round II instrument. In the second round, panelists were asked to value and rank from lowest to highest the items identified on Round I on a 5 point Likert-scale. In Round III the experts' panel was asked to accept or reject the quality indicators derived by the second round. Based on an analysis of data collected on Rounds I, II and III conclusions were drawn.