Computer-aided experiment in physics teaching

摘要

Evaluation studies aimed at the effectiveness of the use of computer-aided experiments are mostly focused on the role of microcomputer-based laboratories (MBL) in physics teaching where students work in pairs with the computer and they play an active role in their process of learning. Many researches in this field have shown that the MBL method is much more effective in understanding selected concepts than traditional lecture-plus-homework approach. On the base of the research on the role of one computer in the room used for microcomputer-based interactive lecture demonstrations realized at University level we tried to create similar more active school environment for secondary school physics using computer-aided experiments in a way of interactive demonstrations. The basic problem of our pedagogical research was how the computer-aided experiments influence the student understanding of physical concepts. We have chosen several topics to implement these experiments, i.e. Kinematics, Direct electric current and Magnetic field. To evaluate student learning we realized the pedagogical experiment with two participating classes for each topic. Teaching in class 1 was realized with a computer equipped with IP COACH system and teaching in the other class was realized with traditional methods. The results of the post-tests administrated after finishing each of the selected topics have indicated the positive influence of this way of teaching on students understanding of kinematics and direct electric current concepts. In the case of magnetic field teaching it has not been proved. Since the sample of students participating in the research was quite small we are planning to continue our research with larger number of students in the future to get more definite conclusions.