Impact of Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies Interactive Video in the Learning of First Law of Thermodynamics

Abstract

Thermodynamics is one of the most challenging course for students as it contains many physical concepts and abstract scientific principle that were less familiar among them. Blended Learning Open Source Science or Math Studies (BLOSSOMS) approach, developed by the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) as a framework for blended learning, was used to design the lesson for teaching energy conversion in Thermodynamics. This research used quasi experimental design, where two groups of students from the Faculty of Chemical Engineering in UTM taking Thermodynamics course were investigated: a Treatment group that used the Energy Conversion BLOSSOMS video in the Thermodynamics class, and a Control group that used conventional lecture style. Students from both classes were given a pre and a post test on energy conversion concept inventory to compare their achievement in thermodynamics before and after the learning of thermodynamics in class. The collected data were analysed using SPSS version 22. Findings had shown that the video has slight effect on the students’ achievement in the inventory test on Thermodynamics Energy Conversion in Generating Electricity.