The effect of simulations supported 5E learning cycle model on seventh grade students' understanding and interest on electric concepts

In this study, the effect of simulations, one of the computer-aided educational software, supported 5E learning cycle model on seventh grade students' understanding and interest on electric concepts was investigated. For this purpose in this study, a quasi-experimental design with pre-test-post-test control group, one of the quantitative research designs, was conducted. While the students in the experimental group implemented with the simulations supported 5E learning cycle model approach, the students in the control group traditionally implemented with the 5E learning cycle model approach in the laboratory environment. The study was conducted with seventh grade students from an elementary school in Bartin. There were 14 students (4 girls, 10 boys)in the experimental group and there were 14 students (8 girls, 6 boys)in the control group. The study was conducted in the spring semester of 2016-2017 academic year and lasted for two weeks. Two instruments were used to collect the data, which were the Simple Electric Circuits Diagnostic Test (SECDT) and the Interest and Experience Questionnaire (IEQ). There were five three-tier questions in the SECDT. And, the IEO was consisted of two constructs, five items rated on 4-point Likert scale about student interest in electricity and 10 items rated on 3-point Likert scale about student experiences with electricity. SPSS 22 program was used to analyze the data. Repeated-measures analyses of variance were performed to test the difference between the pre-test-post-test scores of the experimental and control groups. Based on the results, there was no statistically significant difference on the students' understanding of the electric concepts compared to the control group. However, the results showed that there was a statistically significant difference between the groups on the students' interest towards electric subjects. As a result of the study, simulation supported virtual laboratory environments can be increased in order to increase student interest. Teachers and pre-service teachers should support their learning environment with computer-aided software.