Grade 10 Learners’ Science Conceptual Development Using Computer Simulations

Israel Kibirige; Hodi Elias Tsamago

doi:10.29333/ejmste/106057

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Israel Kibirige ¹ ^* , Hodi Elias Tsamago ¹

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¹ University of Limpopo, P/Bag X1106, Sovenga, SOUTH AFRICA^* Corresponding Author

Abstract

This study explored Grade 10 learners’ science conceptual development when conducting practical work using Computer Simulations (CS) and compared achievements with those from Traditional-Chalk-and-Talk (TCT). A pre- and post-quasi-experimental research design was used. 53 learners were assigned to the Experimental Group (EG) and 52 to the Control Group (CG). The EG was taught using CS, while CG used TCT. Interviews were used to identify learners’ experiences after interventions. The overall results show that learners in EG enjoyed science and developed conceptual understanding better than those in the CG (T-test, p < 0.05), (ANCOVA, p < 0.01). The achievements of girls (M=54.60, SD=10.93) and boys (M=54.39, SD=7.90) in EG after intervention were not significantly different t (51) =-0.08, (p < 0.05). Despite the high learner-to-computer ratio environment, these results compare well with those of low learner-to-computer ratio and this is good news to developing countries where there are limited resources.

Keywords

computer simulations
learner-computer ratio
practical work
performance

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This is an open access article distributed under the Creative Commons Attribution License which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

Article Type: Research Article

EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed, Volume 15, Issue 7, July 2019, Article No: em1717

https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/106057

Publication date: 29 Mar 2019

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Article Downloads: 3855

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How to cite this article

APA

Kibirige, I., & Tsamago, H. E. (2019). Grade 10 Learners’ Science Conceptual Development Using Computer Simulations. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(7), em1717. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/106057

Vancouver

Kibirige I, Tsamago HE. Grade 10 Learners’ Science Conceptual Development Using Computer Simulations. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2019;15(7):em1717. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/106057

AMA

Kibirige I, Tsamago HE. Grade 10 Learners’ Science Conceptual Development Using Computer Simulations. EURASIA J Math Sci Tech Ed. 2019;15(7), em1717. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/106057

Chicago

Kibirige, Israel, and Hodi Elias Tsamago. "Grade 10 Learners’ Science Conceptual Development Using Computer Simulations". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 2019 15 no. 7 (2019): em1717. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/106057

Harvard

Kibirige, I., and Tsamago, H. E. (2019). Grade 10 Learners’ Science Conceptual Development Using Computer Simulations. Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, 15(7), em1717. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/106057

MLA

Kibirige, Israel et al. "Grade 10 Learners’ Science Conceptual Development Using Computer Simulations". Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education, vol. 15, no. 7, 2019, em1717. https://doi.org/10.29333/ejmste/106057