The effect of the learning objects enriched instructional environments on learners' achievements learners' attitudes and learners' motivations

The main purpose of this research is to examine the effects of learning objects (LOs) enriched instructional environments on learners? achievement, attitudes and motivations and to assess the opinions of learners and teachers participated in this setting regarding the implementation process. For this purpose, a study was conducted in the Science and Technology courses on 7th grade students in two public schools in the province of Elazığ in 2007-2008 school year. During the implementation process in which both qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis approaches were employed together, learning objects have been deployed based on their weekly content of the course schedule, by selecting from a variety of repositories related to the unit ?The Structure and Properties of Matter? from science and technology curriculum class named ?The Structure and Features of Matter?. Moodle was used as a learning management system in order to deliver LOs.The study group of this research consisted of 78 students from four 7th grade classes. There were one experimental group and one control group from each of the two middle schools (School A and School B). In the control group, traditional teaching method was used, while the experimental group was subject to LOs enriched instructional settings which LOs were used orderly depending on course content. Academic achievement test and attitude survey, performed within quantitative data collection process of research, were designed originally by the researcher and their pilot tests were completed before the implementation. Furthermore, Keller?s Course Interest Survey was utilized for learner motivation. Those tools (achievement test, attitude and motivation surveys) were administered to Experimental Group A and Control Group A as only post-test, to Experimental Group B and Control Group B as pre-test and post-test. Besides, achievement test was administered to all groups after six weeks from the implementation as a retention test. In the qualitative data collection phase, perceptions and attitudes of both teachers and students towards this process were examined by means of interview, observer notes and assessment surveys.As a result of the analysis of the collected data, it is determined that LOs enriched instructional settings has an impact on students? achievement and permanent learning positively. It is also identified a noticeable positive effect on students? attitude and motivation. When the opinions of students and teachers were analyzed, it was concluded that this implementation was generally beneficial and under sufficient physical conditions more successful results may be obtained. This research is quite important in terms of proving that LOs can be utilized for enriching instruction in both middle school level and traditional course environment. This study has shown that it is necessary to generalize LO design in Turkish and establish repositories which deliver Turkish LOs immediately.Key Words: Learning Objects, Repositories, Science and Technology Instruction, Qualitative Research, Learning Management Systems.