Assessing the Effectiveness of Computer Assisted Instructions in Physics at Undergraduate Level


Abstract views: 489 / PDF downloads: 307

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.51724/ijpce.v3i2.197

Keywords:

Computer Simulation, Physics Education, Electrostatics, Computer-Assisted Instructions

Abstract

Previous researchers have demonstrated significant improvement in students’ conceptual understanding of basic physics using interactive engagement methods of instruction. In this study, the effects of interactive computerbased simulations and animations investigated in classroom on students' conceptual understanding of electrostatics. Two groups – one control and one experimental of students at third year undergraduate level were studied to determine the role of computer simulations and animations in the development of functional understanding of the concepts of force, field, and potential in electrostatics. While few misconceptions persisted, the overall results indicate that students seem to have acquired a good general understanding of these concepts using such package. This occurred mainly in the area of verbal, vector and diagrammatic representation of the abstract physics concepts involved in the study.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

References

Arvind, V.R. & Heard, J.W. (2010). Physics by simulation: Teaching circular motion using applets. Latin American Journal of Physics Education, 4(1), 35-39.

Azar, A. & Şengüleç, Ö.A. (2011). Computer-assisted and laboratory-assisted teaching methods in physics teaching: The effect on student physics achievement and attitude towards physics. Eurasian Journal of Physics and Chemistry Education, Jan (Special Issue), 43-50.

Bakaç, M., Taşoglu, A.K., & Akbay, T. (2011). The effect of computer assisted instruction with simulation in science and physics activities on the success of student: Electric current. Eurasian Journal of Physics and Chemistry Education, Jan (Special Issue), 32-42.

Bayrak, C. (2008). Effects of computer simulations programs on university students achievement in physics. Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 9(4), 53-62.

Bayrak, B., Kanlı, U. & Kandil İngeç, Ş. (2007). To compare the effects of computer based learning and the laboratory based learning on students’ achievement regarding electric circuits. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 6(1), 15-24.

Bilal, E. & Erol, M. (2009). Investigating students’ conceptions of some electricity concepts. Latin American Journal of Physics Education, 3(2), 193-201.

Bonham, S.W., Risley, J.S., & Christian, W. (1999). Using physlets to teach electrostatics. The Physics Teacher, 37(5), 276-281.

Chabay, R. & Sherwood, B. (2006). Restructuring the introductory electricity and magnetism course. American Journal of Physics, 74(4), 329-336.

Dancy, M.H. & Beichner, R. (2006). Impact of animation on assessment of conceptual understanding in Physics. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 2(1), 1-7.

Finkelstein, N.D., Adams, W.K., Keller, C.J., Kohl, P.B., Perkins, K.K., Podolefsky, N.S., Reid, S. & LeMaster, R. (2005). When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 1(1), 1-8.

Fraser, D.M., Pillay, R., Tjatindi, L. & Case, J.M. (2007). Enhancing the learning of fluid mechanics using computer simulations. Journal of Engineering Education, 96(4), 381-388.

Gönen, S., Kocakaya, S. & İnan, C. (2006). The effect of the computer assisted teaching and 7E model of the constructivist learning methods on the achievements and attitudes of high school students. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 5(4), 82-88.

Hake, R.R. (1998). Interactive engagement vs. traditional methods: A six –thousand-student data of mechanics test data for introductory courses. American Journal of Physics, 66(1), 64-74.

Hargunani, S.P. (2010). Teaching of Faraday’s and Lenz’s theory of electromagnetic induction using java based Faraday’s lab simulations. Latin American Journal of Physics Education, 4(3), 520-522.

Holec, S., Spodniaková Pfefferová, M. & Raganová, J. (2004). Computer simulations in mechanics at the secondary school. Informatics in Education, 3(2), 229–238.

Keller, C.J., Finkelstein, N.D., Perkins, K.K. & Pollock, S.J. (2007). Assessing the effectiveness of a computer simulation in introductory undergraduate environments. 2006 Physics Education Research Conference, AIP Conference Proceedings, 883, 121-124.

Kocakaya, S. & Gonen, S. (2010). The effects of computer-assisted instruction designed according to 7e model of constructivist learning on physics student teachers’ achievement, concept learning, self-efficacy perceptions and attitudes. The Turkish Online Journal of Distance Education, 11(3), 206-224.

Maloney, D.P., O’Kuma, T.L., Hieggelke, C.J. & Heuvelen, A.V. (2001). Surveying students’ conceptual knowledge of electricity and magnetism. American Journal of Physics, 69(S1), S12.

McBridge, D.L., Zollaman, D. & Rebello N.S. (2010). Method for analyzing students’ utilization of prior physics learning in new contexts. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 6(2), 1-10.

McDermott, L.C. (2001). Oersted medal lecture 2001: “physics education research-the key to student learning”. American Journal of Physics, 69(11), 1127-1137.

Meltzer, D. (2005). Relation between students’ problem - solving - performance and representational format. American Journal of Physics, 73(5), 463-478.

Meltzer, D.E. & Manivannan, K. (2002). Transforming the lecture-hall environment: The fully interactive physics lecture. American Journal of Physics, 70(6), 639-654.

Monaghan, J.M. (1998). Use of a computer simulation to develop mental simulations for understanding relative motion concepts. International Journal of Science Education, 21(9), 921– 944.

Perkins, K., Adams, M., Dubson, M., Finkelstein, N., Reid, S., Wieman, C. & LeMaster, R. (2006). PhET: Interactive simulations for teaching and learning. The Physics Teacher, 44(1), 18-23.

Pollock, S.J. (2009). Longitudinal study of student conceptual understanding in electricity and magnetism. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 5(2), 1-8.

Saarelainen, M. & Hirvonen, P.E. (2009). Designing a teaching sequence for electrostatics at undergraduate level by using educational reconstruction. Latin American Journal of Physics Education, 3(3), 518-526.

Serin, O. (2011). The effects of the computer-based instruction on the achievement and problem solving skills of the science and technology students. The Turkish Online Journal of Educational Technology, 10(1), 183-201.

Tao, P.K. & Gunstone, R.F. (1999). The process of conceptual change in force and motion during computer-supported physics instruction. Journal of Research in Science Teaching, 36(7), 859-882.

Ubiña, T.D. & Patricio, O.M. (2007). Development of validated computer simulated projectile motion experiments (C-SPEX) for teaching kinematics. MMSU Science and Technology Journal, 1(1), 103-110.

Yeşilyurt, M. (2011). Meta analysis of the computer assisted studies in physics: A sample of Turkey. Energy Education Science and Technology Part B: Social and Educational Studies, 3(2), 173-182.

Downloads

Published

08/27/2011

How to Cite

Tambade, P. S., & Wagh, B. G. (2011). Assessing the Effectiveness of Computer Assisted Instructions in Physics at Undergraduate Level. International Journal of Physics and Chemistry Education, 3(2), 127–136. https://doi.org/10.51724/ijpce.v3i2.197