Impact of a Digital Repository on Producing e-Courses for Mathematics Teachers

Abstract

In light of the rapid and increasing spread of technology in all aspects of life, developing the skills for producing e-courses for teachers has become an important need. This empirical research aims at designing a digital repository based on interactive learning objects and measuring its impact on developing the skills necessary for producing e-courses based on Quality Matters (QM) standards for middle school mathematics teachers. We apply both a descriptive analytical approach and an experimental approach to achieve this objective. This empirical research was conducted on a random sample of 60 schoolteachers, who were randomly divided into two groups: an experimental one, consisting of 30 schoolteachers who were trained using the digital repository based on interactive learning objects; and the control, consisting of 30 schoolteachers who were trained using the traditional training method. The research tools consisted of an achievement test and a quality assessment card for e-courses based on QM standards. To analyse the data, an independent sample t-test was used. The results revealed that, in contrast with the control group, the experimental group acquired superior skills in designing and producing e-courses, as well as in the quality of e-courses. These results confirm the importance of using digital repositories based on interactive learning objects as one of the modern directions for future development in the production of e-courses based on QM standards for middle school teachers.