Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the contribution of a computer simulation to students’ learning of physics concepts (weight and mass). Our simulation was produced using the software Modellus. This study evaluates progresses in understanding made by students (grade 7; 12-13 years old) after one lesson (90 minutes) in three different scenarios: using only “hands-on” activities, using only a computer simulation, and using both. The progresses were measured through pre- and post-tests. The results show that the total gains were higher when students used the computer simulation, alone or together with “hands-on” activities. However, we found that the total gains obtained depend on the teachers pedagogy when using the computer simulation to teach the concepts of weight and mass.
Sarabando et al. (Wed,) studied this question.