Effectiveness of Computer Simulations in Physics Teaching/Learning : The Effects of Computer Simulations on Undergraduate Students' Physics Achievement

Could Computer Simulations enhance Physics achievement of students? This book deals with the effect of using computer simulations on undergraduate students' achievement in physics theoretical and practical lessons. Using student pre/posttest results as a source of data, the book tried to show how students' achievement was enhanced when physics lessons were supported by computer simulations first in theoretical lessons and then in practical lessons. The study on physics theoretical lessons was made to investigate the effectiveness of computer simulation assisted instructions over traditional instructional methods in enhancing students' achievement, whereas the study on practical lessons was carried out to identify which sequence would work better in physics practical lessons, computer simulated experiments followed by real laboratory experimental activities or real experimental activities followed by computer simulated experiments.