The Smartboard in Chemistry Classrooms: What is Its Effect on Chemistry Teaching and Learning in Selected Topics in Grade 11?

Abstract

The study aimed to investigate the effect of using the smartboard on teaching and learning acid-base reactions by applying qualitative and quantitative calculations. The effect of the smartboard on knowledge retention of the concept application was examined and compared to traditional teaching methods. A quasi-experimental design with experimental and control groups using the pretest and posttest design was adapted for the study. A convenient sampling technique was used to select 284 Grade 11 students from an urban region of The Gambia. We prepared an achievement test with 15 questions to collect data. While the experimental group studied the topics using the smartboard, the control group studied using traditional teaching methods. The achievement test was prepared to measure the groups' differences in knowledge retention and application. The same test was applied to compare the pretest and posttest to measure group differences. The independent t test results showed a significant difference (p = .000) between the experimental group (M = 34.30, SD = 18.971) and the control group (M = 28.01, SD = 13.853). Furthermore, the results of the knowledge-retention rate were higher among the experimental group participants (M = 29.23, SD = 14.232) than in the control group (M = 26.72, SD = 12.673). This leads to the conclusion that using the smartboard provides an educative contribution to technology integration in the classroom, especially innovation in teaching and learning.