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The use of a drawing-based simulation for modeling the solar systems : an experimental study among children in the SimSketch learning environment

Aukes, A.V.A. (2012) The use of a drawing-based simulation for modeling the solar systems : an experimental study among children in the SimSketch learning environment.

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Abstract:Learning science is hard for many students. Modeling is a teaching tool in learning science that enables students to create models of scientific phenomena. This study attempts to bring modeling within the reach of young children by using the SimSketch modeling environment, which is based on freehand drawings that can be converted to simulations. 249 children in the age range from 7 to 18 participated in the study and used SimSketch to create a drawing-based model of the solar system. Participants showed significant differences in pre-and posttest. Young children (7-9 years) showed a significant better score in posttest. Modeling contributed independently to the knowledge acquisition, since the quality of the model influenced the score of the posttest, with the pretest as control variable. The study shows that the drawings-based modeling approach SimSketch has potential to contribute to learning and the understanding of scientific phenomena, especially in young children.
Item Type:Essay (Master)
Faculty:BMS: Behavioural, Management and Social Sciences
Subject:77 psychology
Programme:Psychology MSc (66604)
Link to this item:https://purl.utwente.nl/essays/63166
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