Teaching Science with Experimental Work and Computer Simulations in a Primary Teacher Education Course: What Challenges to Promote Epistemic Practices?

Using PhET™ Interactive Simulation Plate Tectonics on Initial Teacher Education

“…The feedback given by PST after completing the tasks was quite positive, highlighting their engagement with the simulator and its associated tasks. This fact demonstrates the importance of using this DER, such as simulators, to motivate students to learn Geology, as defended by some researchers (Nafidi et al 2018;Quintana et al, 2004 andPinto et al, 2014). This DER presents itself as a good pedagogical strategy to be adopted in distance learning, since it can be used autonomously by students in an online context.…”

“…The use of digital simulations is very important in Earth sciences since it allows the study of certain processes that cannot be reproduced in laboratory and, therefore, the exploration of the relations between the theoretical framework and the simulated geological processes observed. Simultaneously, it improves the motivation and interest of students in classes (Nafidi et al, 2018;Quintana et al, 2004;Pinto et al, 2014). Digital simulations can be used as educational resources to promote observation, communication, analysis, hypothesis formulation and critical thinking skills of students (Nafidi et al, 2018).…”

Using PhET™ interactive simulation plate tectonics for initial teacher education

“…Computer simulations have evolved considerably from the first simple models, in which interactivity was possible with only one or two defined parameters, to current simulations that are more complex and with more realistic visual representations which allow the user to make changes and observe their effects in real time. In addition, the simulations have unique characteristics which are not present in many other learning tools, such as interactivity, animation, dynamic feedback, exploration and discovery (Podolefsky et al, 2010).…”

“…The use of digital simulations is very important in Earth sciences since it allows the study of certain processes that cannot be reproduced in the laboratory and, therefore, the exploration of the relations between the theoretical framework and the simulations of the observed geological processes. Simultaneously, it improves the motivation and interest of students in classes (Nafidi et al, 2018;Quintana et al, 2004;Pinto et al, 2014). Digital simulations can be used as educational resources to promote observation, communication, analysis, hypothesis formulation and the critical thinking skills of students (Nafidi et al, 2018).…”

“…Regarding PhET™ simulations that were used in the present study, some works showed that they are very useful for engaging students and improving their interest and knowledge in many scientific fields (Hensberry et al, 2013;Lancaster et al, 2013;McKagan et al, 2008;Wieman et al, 2010). PhET™ simulations are created to promote science education, are freely available on the PhET™ website and are more effective for conceptual understanding (Podolefsky et al, 2010;. The simulations are designed with little information in the form of text, so that students can easily use it in the classroom, in a laboratory or as homework (Podolefsky et al, 2010).…”