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Web-Based Instruction Towards Developing the Higher Order Thinking Skills of Students in Biochemistry


Computer use in educational instruction has developed considerably over time, rather than the instructional tool for study. The use of the Internet and the World Wide Web (WWW) proliferate in institutions to help students in their pursuit of information. The WWW is an exciting medium for the development of classroom activities. Level of student’s understanding, perception, motivation to learn, cognitive skills and academic performance may be enhanced with the use of this tool. However, there is lack of integration of www into actual teaching and learning. Computers through web-based instruction offer the potential of improving undergraduate science education. This quantitative and qualitative study based on Ausubel’s theory of meaningful learning probed the effectiveness of web-based instruction in developing the higher order thinking skills of students in biochemistry. Samples were students in Bachelor of Science in Chemistry of the Central Luzon State University, Science City of Munoz, Nueva Ecija. It was conducted during the second semester of school year 2002-2003. Phenomenographic data and those taken from observations, questionnaires and interviews were triangulated with an analysis of students’ performance on examinations, written reports, students’ statements during classroom discussions, and web-based transcripts. The statements made by the students during classroom discussions were clustered in the phase I category, which is sharing and comparing of information. The written examinations and reports showed evident responses to application and synthesis, slightly evident responses to synthesis questions, and very evident responses to evaluation questions. Generally, evident responses were noted in their written examinations and reports. The web-based transcripts indicated that students analyzed, synthesized, and evaluated information gathered from the web in answering the questions in the study guide given by the teacher. In addition, learning styles and learning strategies were found to be related to students’ performance on higher order thinking skills. The often used learning strategies by the students helped in the development of their higher order thinking skills as this was found to be strongly related to their performance in written examinations and reports. The visual learners were also found to perform better using web-based instruction. Results indicated that web-based instruction has the potential to develop higher order thinking skills of students in biochemistry.

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