Evaluation of Virtual Workspace Laboratory: Cloud Communication and Collaborative Work on Project-Based Laboratory

Abstract

This study evaluated the success or failure of using Virtual Workspace (VW) in a project-based physics laboratory. This study uses a qualitative approach with 4E evaluation methods: educational effectiveness, ease of use, involvement, and environment. Data were collected through a questionnaire to evaluate the implementation and practical functions of the VW CCCW. In addition, data were also collected using interview techniques to find out how the perceptions of students and instructors or lecturers during project-based physics practicums apply VW CCCW. The sample of this study consisted of 126 respondents consisting of 104 prospective physics teacher students, 12 lecturers of basic physics courses, and ten laboratory instructors representing public and private teacher education universities in Aceh. The evaluation findings show that VW has been successfully implemented and tested. The use of virtual workspaces as a tool in practical work is very effective in training 4C skills. Therefore, as an implication in the 4.0 revolution era, virtual workspaces in practicum can be a new way to work collaboratively with task management, creative action plans, communication and problem solving, critical thinking and completing projects, and practicum performance evaluation and assessment.