Effect of Computer Simulation on Secondary School Students’ Interest in Algebra

Author(s):  
Felix O. Egara ◽  
Chiedu Eseadi ◽  
Augustina C. Nzeadibe
2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
pp. 1077-1087
Author(s):  
Alami Anouar

This article deals with methods for teaching secondary school students about the greenhouse effect. The research question is addressed in a didactic context using ICT. Our experiment used a pre-test and post-test methodology, in which we compared the learning outcomes of two groups of students: experimental group (EG) and control group (CG). Both groups followed the same teaching on the greenhouse effect during a Life and Earth Sciences (LES) class. Our study involved introduction of the following differentiation for the two groups of students: CG received explanations, accompanied by a theoretical presentation of the experiment to demonstrate the greenhouse effect. The students were then presented with the theoretical results. EG used a computer simulation of the same experiment on the greenhouse effect and interpreted the results. At post-test, the experimental group (EG) demonstrated a better understanding of the mechanisms of the greenhouse effect than the control group (CG), and scored better on questions related to infrared radiation as a result of global warming. This has been confirmed by a statistical test of homogeneity. However, on the other questions about the nature and consequences of the greenhouse effect, including on behavior advocated for the protection of the environment, we found no significant differences. Moreover, the students in both groups only proposed actions in response to the consequences of human activity and did not propose actions to respond to the consequences of natural origin. We therefore conclude that computer simulation of the greenhouse effect experiment, accompanied by further scientific interpretation, constitutes a "good didactic situation" to instill a more global understanding of the greenhouse effect.


Author(s):  
Ese Monica Alake ◽  
Jethro Oludare Olojo

Use of computer simulated games among children/students is common and science students are not left out. Whereas poor performance and dwindling enrolment in science subjects have been observed among students in Nigeria, not much evidence has emerged at solving the problems from computer simulation mode of teaching. This study was designed to determine the effects of computer simulation package (CSP) on academic performance of senior secondary school students on the concepts of pollution and energy. Using multi-stage purposive and simple random sampling technique, six hundred (600) Senior Secondary (SS) class two students were selected from twelve co-educational schools consisting of four (4) schools in each of the senatorial districts of the State  and fifty (50) students  participated. Three hundred (300) students each were used for experimental and control groups. A validated Students’ Achievement Test (SAT) instrument, having 30 multiple choice items was used to generate pre-test and post-test data. Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) was used to test each of the hypotheses at 0.05 level of significance. Findings showed that the use of computer simulation package (CSP) has significant effect on students’ academic performance (F-cal 955.93, P = 0.00*< 0.05) while gender showed no significant influence on students’ performance (F-cal 1.03, P = 0.312 >0.05). Thus, science teachers should be trained and retrained in seminars, workshop and conferences on the use of computer simulation packages in order to encourage personalized learning among science students.


Author(s):  
Dr. M.A. OKOLO ◽  
Dr. O. G. OLUWASEGUN

This study is aimed at investigating the ‘Effect of Computer Simulation on Achievement and Interest in Cell Division among Male and Female Secondary School Students in Abuja. The study adopted quasi experimental research design. The sample of the study was 72 students consisting of 33 males and 39 females from two intact classes randomly drawn from all the co-educational schools in the six area councils in Abuja. One class was randomly assigned to the experimental group while the other served as the control group.The experimental group was taught cell division using computer simulation teaching strategy while the control group was taught using the conventional teaching method. The study lasted for six weeks. Two research questions were raised and two corresponding null hypotheses were postulated and tested at 0.05 level of significance. Two instruments were used for data collection which were; Cell Division Achievement Test (CDAT) and Cell Division Interest Scale (CDIS). CDIS was based on four point likert rating scale. CDAT had a reliability coefficient of 0.81 using kuder- Richard K-R 21 and CDIS had 0.86 using Cronbach’s alpha. The results revealed that: Computer simulation strategy was found to be better than the conventional method in teaching and learning of cell division; gender was not a determinant factor in Biology students’ interest ratings in teaching cell division. It was recommended among others that Biology teachers should adapt the use of Computer simulation strategy in teaching cell division.


2002 ◽  
Vol 18 (3) ◽  
pp. 214-228 ◽  
Author(s):  
Heinz Neber ◽  
Kurt A. Heller

Summary The German Pupils Academy (Deutsche Schüler-Akademie) is a summer-school program for highly gifted secondary-school students. Three types of program evaluation were conducted. Input evaluation confirmed the participants as intellectually highly gifted students who are intrinsically motivated and interested to attend the courses offered at the summer school. Process evaluation focused on the courses attended by the participants as the most important component of the program. Accordingly, the instructional approaches meet the needs of highly gifted students for self-regulated and discovery oriented learning. The product or impact evaluation was based on a multivariate social-cognitive framework. The findings indicate that the program contributes to promoting motivational and cognitive prerequisites for transforming giftedness into excellent performances. To some extent, the positive effects on students' self-efficacy and self-regulatory strategies are due to qualities of the learning environments established by the courses.


2012 ◽  
Vol 24 (4) ◽  
pp. 135-142 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jake Harwood ◽  
Laszlo Vincze

Based on the model of Reid, Giles and Abrams (2004 , Zeitschrift für Medienpsychologie, 16, 17–25), this paper describes and analyzes the relation between television use and ethnolinguistic-coping strategies among German speakers in South Tyrol, Italy. The data were collected among secondary school students (N = 415) in 2011. The results indicated that the television use of the students was dominated by the German language. A mediation analysis revealed that TV viewing contributed to the perception of ethnolinguistic vitality, the permeability of intergroup boundaries, and status stability, which in turn affected ethnolinguistic-coping strategies of mobility (moving toward the outgroup), creativity (maintaining identity without confrontation), and competition (fighting for ingroup rights and respect). Findings and theoretical implications are discussed.


2014 ◽  
Vol 45 (2) ◽  
pp. 112-126 ◽  
Author(s):  
Martin Latsch ◽  
Bettina Hannover

We investigated effects of the media’s portrayal of boys as “scholastic failures” on secondary school students. The negative portrayal induced stereotype threat (boys underperformed in reading), stereotype reactance (boys displayed stronger learning goals towards mathematics but not reading), and stereotype lift (girls performed better in reading but not in mathematics). Apparently, boys were motivated to disconfirm their group’s negative depiction, however, while they could successfully apply compensatory strategies when describing their learning goals, this motivation did not enable them to perform better. Overall the media portrayal thus contributes to the maintenance of gender stereotypes, by impairing boys’ and strengthening girls’ performance in female connoted domains and by prompting boys to align their learning goals to the gender connotation of the domain.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Beijia Tan ◽  
Jenee Love ◽  
Leigh Harrell-Williams ◽  
Christian E. Mueller ◽  
Martin H. Jones

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