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American Journal of Physics
written by Zacharias Zacharia and O. Roger Anderson
We investigate the effects of interactive computer-based simulations which are presented prior to inquiry-based laboratory experiments on students' conceptual understanding of mechanics, waves/optics, and thermal physics. In principle, the simulations should serve as a cognitive framework for enhancing the subsequent more open-ended inquiry learning in the subject matter domain of the experiments. To test this prediction, the simulations and experiments were integrated into a one semester class for prospective physics teachers who served as students in the study. Semi-structured interviews were used to assess their ability to make correct predictions about the phenomenon in the experiments before using the latter and give correct explanations of the discrepancies between their predictions and their following observations. Conceptual tests were presented to assess conceptual understandings of each topic. Our results indicate that the use of the simulations improved the students' ability to make acceptable predictions and explanations of the phenomena in the experiments. The use of simulations also fostered a significant conceptual change in the physics content areas that were studied.
American Journal of Physics: Volume 71, Issue 6, Pages 618-629
Subjects Levels Resource Types
Education Foundations
- Alternative Conceptions
- Learning Theory
Education Practices
- Active Learning
= Inquiry Learning
- Instructional Material Design
- Technology
= Computers
General Physics
- Physics Education Research
- Lower Undergraduate
- Upper Undergraduate
- Reference Material
= Research study
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© 2003 American Journal of Physics
Additional information is available.
DOI:
10.1119/1.1566427
Keywords:
computer aided instruction, digital simulation, interactive systems, physics
Record Creator:
Metadata instance created July 14, 2005 by Lyle Barbato
Record Updated:
September 25, 2007 by Rebecca Barbato
Last Update
when Cataloged:
June 1, 2003
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Record Link
AIP Format
Z. Zacharia and O. Anderson, , Am. J. Phys. 71 (6), 618 (2003), WWW Document, (https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1566427).
AJP/PRST-PER
Z. Zacharia and O. Anderson, The effects of an interactive computer-based simulation prior to performing a laboratory inquiry-based experiment on students' conceptual understanding of physics, Am. J. Phys. 71 (6), 618 (2003), <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1566427>.
APA Format
Zacharia, Z., & Anderson, O. (2003, June 1). The effects of an interactive computer-based simulation prior to performing a laboratory inquiry-based experiment on students' conceptual understanding of physics. Am. J. Phys., 71(6), 618-629. Retrieved March 29, 2024, from https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1566427
Chicago Format
Zacharia, Zacharias, and O. Roger Anderson. "The effects of an interactive computer-based simulation prior to performing a laboratory inquiry-based experiment on students' conceptual understanding of physics." Am. J. Phys. 71, no. 6, (June 1, 2003): 618-629, https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1566427 (accessed 29 March 2024).
MLA Format
Zacharia, Zacharias, and O. Roger Anderson. "The effects of an interactive computer-based simulation prior to performing a laboratory inquiry-based experiment on students' conceptual understanding of physics." Am. J. Phys. 71.6 (2003): 618-629. 29 Mar. 2024 <https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1566427>.
BibTeX Export Format
@article{ Author = "Zacharias Zacharia and O. Roger Anderson", Title = {The effects of an interactive computer-based simulation prior to performing a laboratory inquiry-based experiment on students' conceptual understanding of physics}, Journal = {Am. J. Phys.}, Volume = {71}, Number = {6}, Pages = {618-629}, Month = {June}, Year = {2003} }
Refer Export Format

%A Zacharias Zacharia %A O. Roger Anderson %T The effects of an interactive computer-based simulation prior to performing a laboratory inquiry-based experiment on students' conceptual understanding of physics %J Am. J. Phys. %V 71 %N 6 %D June 1, 2003 %P 618-629 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1566427 %O text/html

EndNote Export Format

%0 Journal Article %A Zacharia, Zacharias %A Anderson, O. Roger %D June 1, 2003 %T The effects of an interactive computer-based simulation prior to performing a laboratory inquiry-based experiment on students' conceptual understanding of physics %J Am. J. Phys. %V 71 %N 6 %P 618-629 %8 June 1, 2003 %U https://doi.org/10.1119/1.1566427


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