The Impact of Interactive Computer Simulations on the Nature and Quality of Postgraduate Science Teachers’ Explanations in Physics

Abstract

This study investigated how individuals’ construction of explanations—a way of ascertaining how well an individual understands a concept—develops from an interactive simulation. Specifically, the purpose was to investigate the effect of interactive computer simulations or science textbook assignments on the nature and quality of postgraduate science teachers’ explanations regarding physical phenomena in Mechanics, Waves/Optics, and Thermal Physics. The use of simulations or science textbook assignments was implemented according to the Predict–Observe–Explain model and integrated into a one‐semester conceptual survey course in physics for practising science teachers who served as participants in the study. Data were collected through semi‐structured interviews and were analysed using a qualitative content analysis approach. Results indicate that the use of computer simulations along with the application of the Predict–Observe–Explain model had a positive impact on the nature and quality of science teachers’ explanations. They improved science teachers’ ability to generate scientifically accurate explanations and fostered in‐depth advancement in teachers’ search for explanatory scientific information regarding the physical phenomena under investigation. In addition, teachers’ explanations became more elaborate, reflecting cause‐effect reasoning and formal reasoning.

Acknowledgement

The comments and suggestions of Dr Constantinos P. Constantinou in preparing this manuscript are especially appreciated.

Notes

1. Consistent with scientific concepts and theories.

2. Not consistent with scientific concepts and theories.

3. The nature of explanation categories that were developed by Kaartinen and Kumpulainen (2002) were used for the purposes of this study. See the Data Analysis section for more details.

4. The degree of deepening explanation scale that was developed by Hakkarainen (2004) was used for the purposes of this study. See the Data Analysis section for more details.