Use of Computer Simulation in Teaching Science

Abstract

Introduction

This study was conducted to test if computer simulation could be an effective technique in teaching Science of the grade four pupils during the School Year 2016-2017. The respondents were 64 grade four pupils who were equally divided into two groups. The quasi-experimental design of the research was used in this study. The control group was exposed using the inquiry-based approach while the experimental group received treatment. Pretest and posttest were administered in this study. Data were statistically treated and analyzed using frequency counts, percentage, mean, standard deviation, and t-test.

Methods

The quasi-experimental method of research was used in this study.

Results

Resultsof the study revealed the following: the pupil-respondents in each group were congruently distributed based on their first and second quarter grades; the performances of the pupils were assessed through their scores; both groups performed better in the post-test after being exposed to the two methods of teaching, and pupil-respondents can learn and perform better in the inquiry-based approach and computer-simulated method.

Discussions

The use of computer simulation is an effective technique to capture the interest of the pupils. On the other hand, the inquiry-based approach remains to be an effective tool in imparting knowledge to pupils. Thus, the two methods are both effective techniques in teaching Science