Effect of Algodoo Supported Periodic Table Instruction on Students’ Achievements and Perceptions

Year 2024, Volume: 18 Issue: 1, 31 - 58, 29.06.2024

Hasan Özcan , Esra Koca , Davut Sarıtaş , Hakkı İlker Koştur

https://doi.org/10.17522/balikesirnef.1406845

Abstract

In parallel with the development of software technologies, there has been a growing use of useful and accessible simulation tools in education, enhancing the quality of simulations. This study investigates the effect of an activity designed to teach the periodic table on students’ academic achievement and explore students’ perceptions of the activity. The activity was based on the Algodoo tool, which is primarily used in teaching physics courses. This study employed a convergent parallel design as a mixed-methods research approach. The sample consisted of 31 students (16 males, 15 females) in grade 8, attending a central lower secondary school in a city in the Central Anatolia region of Türkiye. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected and analyzed. The findings demonstrated that the activity supported by the Algodoo simulation software positively impacted students’ academic achievement in learning the periodic table. Furthermore, qualitative data revealed that students had a positive perception of the software in terms of both educational utility and usability. Additionally, students’ scientific skills were developed in the designed instructional environment. According to the findings, the Algodoo software could be incorporated into teaching not only macro-level physics but also chemistry courses.

Keywords

Science Education, Periodic Table, Algodoo, Simulation

Algodoo Destekli Periyodik Tablo Öğretiminin Öğrencilerin Başarılarına ve Algılarına Etkisi

Abstract

Yazılım teknolojilerinin gelişimine paralel olarak eğitimde kullanışlı ve erişilebilir simülasyon araçlarının kullanımı daartmıştır. Bu çalışma, periyodik tabloyu öğretmeye yönelik tasarlanmış bir etkinliğin öğrencilerin başarılarına etkisini araştırmayı ve etkinliklerine dair algılarını keşfetmeyi amaçlamaktadır. Çalışmada kullanılan etkinlik, genellikle fizik konularının öğretiminde kullanılan Algodoo'ya dayanmaktadır. Çalışma, bir karma yöntem araştırma yaklaşımı olarak yakınsak paralel deseni kullanmaktadır. Türkiye'nin İç Anadolu bölgesinde bir şehirde bulunan merkezi bir ortaokuldaki 8. sınıf öğrencilerinden oluşan örneklem, 31 öğrenciyi (16 erkek, 15 kız) içermektedir. Bu çalışmanın desenine uygun olarak hem nicel hem de nitel veriler eş zamanlı toplanıp analiz edilmektedir. Bulgular, Algodoo simülasyon yazılımı tarafından desteklenen etkinliğin periyodik tabloyu öğrenmede öğrencilerin akademik başarısını olumlu yönde etkilediğini göstermektedir. Nitel veri bulguları da, öğrencilerin yazılımı eğitimsel fayda ve kullanılabilirlik açısından olumlu bir şekilde algıladıklarını ortaya koymaktadır. Ayrıca tasarlanan öğretim ortamında öğrencilerin bir takım bilimsel becerilerinin de geliştiği gözlemlenmiştir. Bulgular, Algodoo yazılımının sadece makro düzeyde fizik konuları için değil, aynı zamanda kimya konuları için de öğretimde kullanılabileceğini önermektedir.

Keywords

Fen eğitimi, Periyodik Tablo, Algodoo, Simülasyon

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