When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment
This paper examines the effects of substituting a computer simulation for real laboratory equipment in the second semester of a large-scale introductory physics course. The direct current circuit laboratory was modified to compare the effects of using computer simulations with the effects of using r...
| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
American Physical Society
2005-10-01
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| Series: | Physical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRSTPER/v1/e010103 |
| _version_ | 1818907519883411456 |
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| author | S. Reid N. S. Podolefsky K. K. Perkins P. B. Kohl C. J. Keller W. K. Adams N. D. Finkelstein R. LeMaster |
| author_facet | S. Reid N. S. Podolefsky K. K. Perkins P. B. Kohl C. J. Keller W. K. Adams N. D. Finkelstein R. LeMaster |
| author_sort | S. Reid |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | This paper examines the effects of substituting a computer simulation for real laboratory equipment in the second semester of a large-scale introductory physics course. The direct current circuit laboratory was modified to compare the effects of using computer simulations with the effects of using real light bulbs, meters, and wires. Two groups of students, those who used real equipment and those who used a computer simulation that explicitly modeled electron flow, were compared in terms of their mastery of physics concepts and skills with real equipment. Students who used the simulated equipment outperformed their counterparts both on a conceptual survey of the domain and in the coordinated tasks of assembling a real circuit and describing how it worked. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-19T21:56:25Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-54569442003e4eee869193dac9343570 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1554-9178 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-19T21:56:25Z |
| publishDate | 2005-10-01 |
| publisher | American Physical Society |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Physical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research |
| spelling | doaj.art-54569442003e4eee869193dac93435702022-12-21T20:04:15ZengAmerican Physical SocietyPhysical Review Special Topics. Physics Education Research1554-91782005-10-0111When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipmentS. ReidN. S. PodolefskyK. K. PerkinsP. B. KohlC. J. KellerW. K. AdamsN. D. FinkelsteinR. LeMasterThis paper examines the effects of substituting a computer simulation for real laboratory equipment in the second semester of a large-scale introductory physics course. The direct current circuit laboratory was modified to compare the effects of using computer simulations with the effects of using real light bulbs, meters, and wires. Two groups of students, those who used real equipment and those who used a computer simulation that explicitly modeled electron flow, were compared in terms of their mastery of physics concepts and skills with real equipment. Students who used the simulated equipment outperformed their counterparts both on a conceptual survey of the domain and in the coordinated tasks of assembling a real circuit and describing how it worked.http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRSTPER/v1/e010103Computer simulationLarge-scale classLab equipment |
| spellingShingle | S. Reid N. S. Podolefsky K. K. Perkins P. B. Kohl C. J. Keller W. K. Adams N. D. Finkelstein R. LeMaster 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 Computer simulation Large-scale class Lab equipment |
| title | When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment |
| title_full | When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment |
| title_fullStr | When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment |
| title_full_unstemmed | When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment |
| title_short | When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment |
| title_sort | when learning about the real world is better done virtually a study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment |
| topic | Computer simulation Large-scale class Lab equipment |
| url | http://link.aps.org/abstract/PRSTPER/v1/e010103 |
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