Virtual Laboratory in the Role of Dynamic Visualisation for Better Understanding of Chemistry in Primary School
 
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1
Primary School Ormož
 
2
Faculty of Education, University of Maribor
 
 
Publication date: 2016-07-01
 
 
Corresponding author
Nataša Rizman Herga   

Primary School Ormož, Dobravska 2, 2270 Ormož, Slovenia
 
 
EURASIA J. Math., Sci Tech. Ed 2016;12(3):593-608
 
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ABSTRACT
Background:
Understanding chemistry includes the ability to think on three levels: the macroscopic level, the symbolic level, and the level of particles – sub-microscopic level. Pupils have the most difficulty when trying to understand the sub-microscopic level because it is outside their range of experience. This study presents the effective usage of a virtual laboratory that can overcome the gap between the previously-mentioned conceptual levels.

Materials and methods:
We carried out a didactic experiment to test the effectiveness of a virtual laboratory that enables dynamic visualisation. The experiment involved seventh-grade pupils (N = 109) from five different primary schools in Slovenia. We asked ourselves the question as to whether the learning outcomes of pupils are better when they use a virtual laboratory rather than in science classes without a virtual laboratory where dynamic visualisation at the sub-microscopic and sub-micro levels are only explained by means of static demonstrations.

Results:
The results of the didactic experiment showed that, in terms of knowledge acquisition, using a virtual laboratory is better than science classes without dynamic visualisation elements.

Conclusions:
Virtual laboratory in the role of dynamic visualisation increase knowledge and promote effective learning of chemistry.

eISSN:1305-8223
ISSN:1305-8215
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