UNVEILING THE ESSENCE: EXPLORING THE IMPORTANCE OF DIGITAL CHARACTER LABORATORY THROUGH A COMPREHENSIVE NEED ASSESSMENT

Abstract

Character development in individuals is crucial for their holistic growth and success in various aspects of life. With the increasing demand for online and distance learning platforms, creating innovative and effective tools that foster character development in digital environments is essential. This study presents a comprehensive need assessment of digital character laboratory development for learners in higher education. This study aims to identify the key requirements and challenges in designing a digital character laboratory that promotes the development of positive values, ethics, and social skills among learners. The need analysis is based on a comprehensive review of existing literature and empirical studies, i.e. a survey. The survey involved 371 lecturers, teachers and students. The study found that 47.9% of respondents knew a character laboratory, but 71.97% said they did not have a character laboratory. As many as 53.72% of respondents stated that the character laboratory could benefit the learning process. These data indicate that the character laboratory needs to be developed. Moreover, other data shows that time is one of the obstacles for 75.53% of respondents to use the character laboratory. Thus, digital character laboratories are urgently needed to be developed. In addition to asking about the challenges of using a character laboratory, the survey consisting of 34 instruments also explored what values and social skills can be developed through a virtual character laboratory. The findings of this need analysis will contribute to developing a robust framework for character digital laboratory design in open and distance learning settings. The framework will address pedagogical considerations, technological requirements, and assessment strategies to ensure the effectiveness of character development interventions. Moreover, it will guide educators and instructional designers to create immersive and interactive learning experiences that nurture learners' personal and social growth.