A structural equation model to analyse the antecedents to students’ web-based problem-solving performance

Authors

  • Fan-Ray Kuo Department of Information Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 70, Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan
  • Gwo-Jen Hwang Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec.4, Keelung Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.284

Keywords:

web-based learning, problem solving ability, structural equation model, information seeking

Abstract

Web-based problem-solving, a compound ability of critical thinking, creative thinking, reasoning thinking and information-searching abilities, has been recognised as an important competence for elementary school students. Some researchers have reported the possible correlations between problem-solving competence and information searching ability; however, few studies have proposed what factors might affect students’ web-based problem-solving performance. In this study, a five-phase web-based learning approach is proposed; moreover, a web-based problem-solving model was developed to investigate the factors that might affect students’ web-based problem-solving performance. To evaluate the effectiveness of the proposed approach, an experiment was conducted by engaging 201 fifth- and sixth-graders from three elementary schools in a series of web-based problem-solving activities. Structural equation modelling was employed to analyse the antecedents affecting the students’ web-based problem-solving performance. From the analysis results, it was found that task-technology fit could be the major factor affecting the students’ intention to learn on the Web, as it highly affected their web-based problem-solving performance.

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Author Biographies

Fan-Ray Kuo, Department of Information Management, National Sun Yat-Sen University, Kaohsiung, Taiwan 70, Lienhai Rd., Kaohsiung, 80424, Taiwan

Dr. Fan-Ray Kuo received his PhD degree from the Department of Information and Learning Technology of National University of Tainan, Taiwan, in December 2011. His is currently a Post Doctor of Department of Information Management of National Sun Yat-Sen University. His research interests include web-based learning, problem solving and technology acceptance model.

Gwo-Jen Hwang, Graduate Institute of Digital Learning and Education, National Taiwan University of Science and Technology, 43, Sec.4, Keelung Rd., Taipei, 106, Taiwan

Dr. Gwo-Jen Hwang is currently a Chair Professor at the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology. He received his Ph.D. degree in Computer Science and Information Engineering from the National Chiao Tung University in Taiwan in 1991. Dr Hwang has many academic research and administration experiences. In addition, he serves as an editorial board member and a reviewer for more than 30 academic journals. His research interests include web-based learning, mobile and ubiquitous learning, computer-assisted testing, artificial intelligence in education. Owing to his distinguished achievements in mobile and ubiquitous learning studies, in 2007, Dr. Hwang was elected as the Chair of the Special Interest Group of Mobile and Ubiquitous Learning in the Information Technology Education Division of the National Science Council in Taiwan. He has been serving the position since then.

Dr. Hwang has published nearly 400 academic papers, including 150 papers in such professional journals as British Journal of Educational Technology, Computers & Education, Educational Technology & Society, Innovations in Education and Teaching International, Interactive Learning Environment, and Computer-Assisted Learning among others. Owing to the good reputation in academic research and innovative inventions in e-learning, he received the annual most Outstanding Researcher Award from the National Science Council in the years of 2007 and 2010.

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Published

2015-08-07

How to Cite

Kuo, F.-R., & Hwang, G.-J. (2015). A structural equation model to analyse the antecedents to students’ web-based problem-solving performance. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 31(4). https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.284