Assessing the Impact of Computer Simulations on Physics and Chemistry Learning

Abstract

Computer simulations offer a dynamic and flexible teaching strategy that can serve as a powerful tool for motivating students and educators to attain learning outcomes. This study aims to investigate the impact of a teaching strategy based on computer simulations on student learning, in comparison to the conventional one. This study include two classes of 10th grade students from a secondary school in Lisbon, Portugal, with the primary objective of teaching a new topic (photoelectric effect). In the experimental group was used a teaching strategy based on the utilization of computer simulations, whereas in the control group the traditional methodology was adopted. Student learning assessment was conducted by administering a post-lesson test to both groups. The present study found that the use of computer simulation-based methodologies is more engaging for students than traditional teaching methods In fact, the experimental group achieved higher percentages of correct answers (ranging from 96.4 % to 100 %) compared to the control group (ranging from 70.8 % to 83.3 %).