The effect of proteus simulation software on students achievement in teaching electronics at technical high schools

The aim of this study is to determine the effects of PROTEUS, simulation software, on students? academic achievement at ?Basic Logical Ports? unit in the Training and Laboratory Applications course, and to state the students? views regarding the software. A cohort of 16 students at 10th grade from Multi-program High School in Mudurnu, Bolu during the 2006?2007 academic year participated in this study. In this study, the randomized post-test only control group design was implemented. While the students in the experimental group used the computer simulation software, students in the control group received the course with traditional laboratory instruction method. Both groups of students were instructed totally in four weeks with four hours at each week. Study guides were distributed to the students and they were asked to follow the steps of the process while implementing the applications. To assess the knowledge students gained in the end of the Training and Laboratory Applications course, an achievement test was developed by the researcher. For the independent samples, t-test was employed to assess whether there were statistically significant differences between the post-test scores of students in the experimental and the control group. The data were collected and stored in the v digital environment to reveal the views of students were transcribed, summarized and interpreted through the pre-determined themes introduced in the interview form. The results revealed that PROTEUS could be used as an alternative to the traditional laboratory applications in the ?Basic Logical Ports? unit. In addition, it is possible to conclude that, through the views of students, PROTEUS increased students? interest and self-confidence in the course, contributed to savings in terms of time and cost, and eliminated the probability of electric shock.