Control Grouped Pedagogical Experiment to Test the Performance of Second-generation Web Maps and the Traditional Maps at the University of Debrecen

• Main Authors: Dániel Balla, Marianna Zichar, Judit Boda, Tibor József Novák
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: The International Academic Forum 2015-01-01
• Series: IAFOR Journal of Education
• Subjects: Web map; e-learning; education of geography
• Online Access: http://iafor.org/archives/journals/education/journal-of-education-v3-i1/V3I1_Balla_et_al.pdf

Almost every component of the information society is influenced by elements built on communication technology. Learning also tends to be related to the dynamic usage of computers. Nowadays, a number of applications (online or offline) are also available that engage large groups of potential users and simultaneously provide a virtual environment to facilitate learning. This study introduces the self-developed interactive blind map teaching-examining e-learning system of the University of Debrecen. Results of testing the system with a control group are also presented.Both experimental and control groups of students were required to sita test of topographic knowledge following a semester of study. The pass mark for the test was 80%. The experimental group used the new digital environment to study, while the control group prepared for their exam using paper maps in the traditional way. The key research questions addressed by the study were to determine whether exam results obtained by the group using the ‘digital’ method better than those of the control's; and if there were a difference between the exam performances of the two groups, was this statistically significant and, therefore, likely to occur in other similar scenarios?