A virtual classroom to motivate primary school children in Natural Sciences: experiences and results

Abstract

The lack of motivation among primary school students in any subject area is a significant obstacle to learning. Therefore, every effort to make subjects more engaging by introducing computer resources is a successful way to boost academic motivation. This paper explores this issue and aims to present the results of implementing a virtual classroom using the Moodle platform for teaching natural sciences to fifth-grade students in the municipality of Sagua la Grande. The virtual classroom combines several computer resources, including short educational videos, interactive activities in H5p, and resources developed by the author that use images and stories. Methods such as triangulation of documentary sources, an observation guide, a heat map, and a satisfaction survey were applied. The integration of the instruments applied allowed us to verify the validity of the results obtained, especially regarding the primacy of high levels of individual and group motivation, as well as to make inferences about the different indicators of academic motivation that will allow us to design educational strategies. The experience developed can serve as a benchmark to demonstrate the ability of primary school students to interact with educational platforms.