Efficacy of Computer-Based Simulation on Students Achievement in Physics Education.

Abstract

The efficacy of Authors’ developed computer-based simulation instructional package for teachingphysics concepts was examined using Pretest – Posttest Experimental group design. Sixty students (30 males and 30 females) SSII students from two secondary schools in Minna, Nigeria, made-up the sample. The schools were randomly assigned to experimental and control groups. The experimental group was taught selected concept of physics using computer-based simulation package (CBSP) and traditional method was used for the control group. Physics Achievement Test (PAT) was used for collecting data for this study. PAT is a 10-item multiple-choice objective type achievement test covering two selected topics in physics. It was administered to the student as pretest and posttest. The data collected were analyzed with the t-test statistics. Results revealed that the students taught with CBSP performed better than the control group. The CBSP was found also to be gender friendly.Based on the findings, it was recommended that physics teachers should used computer-based simulation for improving the students performance in physics education.