The effect of virtual lab applications covering the unit of motion and force i̇n the 6th grade on the student achievements

The purpose of this study was to investigate and reveal the effect of virtual lab applications covering the unit of motion and force in the 6th grade on the student achievements as well as students view points by comparing traditional science lab activities in the same unit. The study was carried out with 6th grade students as an experimental and a control group in Uşak Province during the fall semester of 2015-2016 school year. The number of students was 48 in the experimental and control group. Teaching in the experimental group was performed with the virtual lab experiments and activities but in the control group traditional lab experiments or activities. As a research method, the qualitetive and quantitative mixed method in this study. An achievement test was implemented to collect data from the students as well as a student viewpoint form was given to the students to learn their opinions about the virtual lab activities. SPSS software was executed to analyze the collected data with the ANCOVA test. Students viewpoints were evaluated by using qualitative analyze techniques. In the result, the virtual lab activities and experiments significantly and positively influenced the achievements of students when their achievements were compared with the control group taught by the traditional method. Additionally, the students coming from the experimental group mentioned that they found the virtual lab activities delighted and the virtual lab activities helped them easily to understand the concepts based on their student viewpoints. Key words: Virtual Lab, Force and Motion Unit, Science Achievement, Student Viewpoints.