Effects of Phet Interactive Simulation Activities on Secondary School Students’ Physics Achievement

Authors

  • Mohd Nizar Mohd Najib School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia Author
  • Ruzlan Md-Ali School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia Author
  • Aizan Yaacob School of Education, Universiti Utara Malaysia Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.48165/sajssh.2022.3204%20

Keywords:

Interactive Simulation, Learning Module, Physics, Daily Lesson Plan, PhET, Physics Achievement.

Abstract

PhET (Physics Education Technology) interactive simulation is a website-based simulation developed by simulation experts from the University of Colorado Boulder to help students learn physics through simulated learning. This research aims to examine students’ achievement after utilized simulated learning and teaching. A module and teaching plan have been specifically designed by researchers to be integrated with PhET simulation in the students’ teaching and learning processes. This research utilized a quasi-experimental design where pre-and post-tests are multiple choice type of test involved 30 students in the experimental group (using simulated learning) and 30 students in the control group (using conventional learning). The results showed that there were significant differences in pre-and post-tests means scores for the experimental group. On the other hand, the control group showed no significant differences. This proved that PhET simulation, with well-designed module and teaching plan can improve students’ achievement in physics.

References

Ajredini, F., Zajkov, O., & Mahmudi, N. (2012). Case study on the influence of simulations and real experiments on higher order skills. Macedonian Physics Teacher, 48, 29-34. ISSN 0352-0986

Ali, R., Ghazi, S. R., Khan, M. S., Hussain, S., & Faitma, Z. T. (2010). Effectiveness of modular teaching in Biology at secondary level. Canadian Center of Science and Education, 6(9), 49-54. ISSN 1911-2025

Awang & Zakaria (2012). Module for Learning Integral Calculus with Maple: Lecturers’ Views. Journal of Education Technology (11) 3: 234

Aykutlu, I., Bezen, S., & Bayrak, C. (2015). Teacher opinions about the conceptual challenges experienced in teaching Physics curriculum topics. Procedia-Social and Behavioral Sciences, 174, 390-405.

Barron, B. & Hammond, L.D. (2008). Teaching For Meaningful Learning: A Review of Researchon Inquiry-Based and Cooperative Learning. San Francisco: The George Lucas Educational Foundation.

Batuyong, C. T. & Antonio, V.V. (2018). Exploring the effect of PhET interactive simulation based activities on students’ performance and learning experiences in electromagnetism. Asia Pasific Journal of Multidisciplinary Research, 6(2), 121-131.

Chen, Y.-L., Pan, P. -R., Sung, Y. -T., & Chang, K. -E. (2013). Correcting Misconceptions on Electronics: Effects of simulation-based learning environment backed by a conceptual change model. Educational Technology & Society, 16(2), 212-227.

Creswell, J. (2014). Educational research: Planning, conducting and evaluating quantitative and qualitative research (4th ed.). Essex, England: Pearson.

Elangovan, T. & Zurida Ismail (2013). The effect of realistic simulation and non-realistic simulation on Biology students’ achievement. Scientific & Academic Publishing, 3(4), 231- 241. doi:10.5923/j.edu.20130304.03

Findley, K., Whitacre, I. & Hensberry, K. (2017). Intergrating interactive simulations into the mathematics classroom: Supplementing, enhancing, or driving? In Galindo, E., & Newton, J. (Eds.). Proceedings of the 39th annual meeting of the North American Chapter of the International Group for the Psychology of Mathematics Education 2017 (pp.1297-1304). Hoosier Association of Mathematics Teacher Educators.

Gunta, S. & Ousman, K (2015). Problems in the teaching and learning of Physics in the secondary and preparatory schools, the cases of Wolaita and Dwuro zones. In Rajan, D. S., Tekalegn, W, Asmare, A. Desta, T., Alemaychu, B. & Getachew, T. (Eds.), Proceedings of the third annual research proceeding of Wolaita Sodo University 2015 (pp. 129-138). Academia.

Hensberry, K. K. R., Moore, E. B., & Perkins, K. K. (2015). Effective student learning of fractions with an interactive simulation. Journal of Computers in Mathematics and Science Teaching, 34(3), 273-298.

Ibtesam Al-Mashaqbeh (2014). Computer simulation instruction: Carrying out chemical experiments. I.J. Modern Education and Computer Science, 5, 1-7. doi: 10.5815/ijmecs.2014.05.01

Joyce, B., Weil, M., & Calhoun, E. (2011). Models of teaching (8th ed.). Boston, USA: Pearson

Kolcak, D. Y., Mogol, S., & Unsal, Y. (2014). A Comparison of the Effects of Laboratory Method and Computer Simulations to Avoid Misconceptions in Physics Education. Education and Science, 175(39), 154-171. doi:10.15390/EB.2014.2052

Liu, Y.-C., Kuo, R.-L., & Shih, S.-R. (2020). COVID-19: The first documented coronavirus pandemic in history. Biomedical Journal, 43(2020), 328-333.

Ministry of Education (2013). STEM education: Policies and prospects toward achieving international standard and meeting national development needs [PDF text]. Retrieved from www.moe.gov.my

Ministry of Education (2015). Malaysia education for all: End decade review report 2000-2015 [PDF text]. Retrieved from www.moe.gov.my

Ministry of Education (2020). Pemakluman Pelaksanaan Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran Di Rumah (PDPR) [PDF text]. Retrieved from https://www.moe.gov.my/en/pemberitahuan/announcement/pemakluman-pdpr

Ministry of Health (2021). Status Terkini Variant of Interest (VOI) dan Variant of Concern (VOC) di Malaysia Sehingga 31/05/2021[PDF text]. Retrieved from http://covid 19.moh.gov.my/semasa-kkm/2021/06/situasi-terkini-voi-dan-voc-31052021

Novitasari, E., Mohammad, M., & Nonoh, S. A. (2016). Pengembangan Modul Pembelajaran IPA Terpadu Berbaris Inkuiri Terbimbing Tema Matahari Sebagai Sumber Energi Alternatif Di Kelas VII SMP/MTs. Jurnal Inkuiri, 5(1): 112-121.

Nunnaly, J.C. (1978). Psychometric theory (2nd ed.). USA: McGraw-Hill

Nunnaly, J.C. & Bernstein, I.H. (1994). Psychometric theory (3rd ed.). USA: McGraw-Hill

Ornek, F. (2012). The role of computer modelling in enhancing students’ conceptual understanding of Physics. Bulgarian Journal of Science and Education Policy, 6(1), 67-87.

Salmiza Saleh (2014). Malaysian students’ motivation towards Physics learning. European Journal of Science and Mathematics Education, 2(4), 223-232.

Sidin, R. (2004). Pembudayaan Sains dan Teknologi: Satu Cadangan Piawai [Socialization of science and technology: a standard proposal]. Jurnal Pendidikan (UKM), 47-63.

Sopiah Abdullah & Adilah Shariff (2008). The effects of inquiry-based computer simulation with cooperative learning on scientific thinking and conceptual understanding of Gas Laws. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, 4(4), 387-398.

Srisawasdi, N. & Kroothkeaw, S. (2014). Supporting students’ conceptual development of light refraction by simulation-based open inquiry with dual-situated learning model. Journal of Computers in Education, 1(1), 49-79.

Ulen, S., Cagran, B., Slavinec, M., & Gerlic, I. (2014). Designing and evaluating the effectiveness of Physlet-based learning materials in supporting conceptual learning in secondary school Physics. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 23(5), 658-667. doi:101007/s10956-014-9492-x

Utusan Malaysia. (2009). “Dasar 40:60 pelajar sastera sains belum tercapai.”

World Health Organization (2020). Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic [PDF text]. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/emergencies/diseases/novel-coronavirus-2019

Widodo, A., Maria, R.A., & Fitriani, A. (2017). Constructivist Learning Environment During Virtual and Real Laboratory Activities. Biosaintifika, 9(1): 11-18.

Yaacob, A., Siti, N. S., Noor, A. M. & Ruzlan, M. A. (2021). Exploring the use of Storybird application for rural ESL teachers’ professional development. Turkish Journal of Computer and Mathematics Education (TURCOMAT), 12(3), 1200-1210.

Zulfah, H., & Aznam, N. (2018). Development of Natural Sciences Module with Reflective Learning Journal to Enhance Student’s Reporting-Interpretative Skills. Biosaintifika: Journal of Biology & Biology Education, 10(2), 362-368.

Downloads

Published

2022-04-05