Simulations and animations effects in computer assisted instruction on academic success and retention when teaching of optic unit in pyhsics

The study was conducted to find out the effects of animations and simulations in computer-assisted instruction on academic success and retention when teaching ?optic? unit in physics for the ninth graders in secondary education.The research sample consisted 79 students from a state school in Sarıçam district in Adana. The data was collected during a 10 hour period in 2007-2008 academic term. The data collection tools were prepared by the researcher in line with the optic unit in the 9th grade physics lesson and consisted physics academic success test, pre-test previous to the experimental phase and a post-test following this phase. The students also received a retention test after 12 weeks. The tests were given to one control groups and two experimental groups.The result of the study reveals positive correlations between animations and simulations and students? academic success and retention. When the results from the experimental group, who received computer-assisted instruction with animations and simulations, were compared to these of control group, there was a significant difference in their academic success. However, the analysis didn?t show any significant difference in students? retention levels.Keywords: Physics Instruction, Computer Assisted Education, Computer Assisted Instruction, Computer Animations, Computer Simulations, Optic.