Key points are not available for this paper at this time.
Abstract This study aimed to examine the role of a simulation as a potential aid that may help students bridge the gap between theory and reality, in the case of electric circuits. Sixty‐three pairs of students aged about 15 years were presented with two tasks involving real circuits. An open simulation environment was available as an optional aid for the experimental group. Significant differences were found between the achievements of the groups. The use of the simulation contributed to students' confidence and enhanced their motivation to stay on‐task. The detailed analysis revealed the role of the simulation as a source of constructive feedback, helping students identify and correct their miscon‐ceptions and cope with the common difficulties of relating formal representations to real circuits and vice versa.
Ronen et al. (Wed,) studied this question.