University of Twente Student Theses

Login

Drawing based modeling and simulation in primary school science education: the impact on students’ attitude towards science and domain specific knowledge

Schmalz, H. (2012) Drawing based modeling and simulation in primary school science education: the impact on students’ attitude towards science and domain specific knowledge.

[img] PDF
1MB
Abstract:Thirty-one German students (grade 5 and 6) participated in a study which aims at finding out if animation of drawn models contributes to the understanding of complex planetary movements and to a positive attitude towards science. They worked with SimSketch, a modeling tool that gives learners the opportunity to create drawings of phenomena they study and simulate them afterwards. Their task was the model construction of the solar system in which the Venus orbit and the Earth’s perspective of Venus’ retrograde movement were emphasized. The students had to answer special questions before and after the use of SimSketch to enable the measurement of the treatment‘s effects. Results indicate that animation of drawn models contributes to the understanding of complex planetary movements and to a positive attitude towards science although gender differences were found. Male students improved their attitude towards science after the use of SimSketch whereas females did not. The female students in return increased their general planetary knowledge after the treatment which contrasts with the results of male students.
Item Type:Essay (Bachelor)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology BSc (56604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/62417
Export this item as:BibTeX
EndNote
HTML Citation
Reference Manager

 

Repository Staff Only: item control page