Using computer simulation of plant growth and development when teaching natural science and technology in class 4

Magistrsko delo obravnava uporabo računalniške simulacije v vzgojno-izobraževalne namene v osnovnih šolah. Preko simulacije lahko orišemo procese in obnašanje pojavov. Učenci ob pomoči tega dobijo bolj konkretne predstave o učni snovi, ki jim povzroča probleme. Tema magistrske naloge se nanaša na poučevanje na razredni stopnji osnovne šole s pomočjo uporabe računalniške simulacije rasti in razvoja rastline. Simulacija se imenuje Extinct − plant survival game. Raziskovalni problem predstavljajo nepopolne in napačne predstave učencev na področju raziskave. Zanimalo me je, kako so učenci motivirani ob poučevanju preko računalniške simulacije, in ali bodo ob konkretnih prikazih rasti in razvoja rastline izboljšali svoje poznavanje na tem področju. Pri raziskovalnem delu sem uporabila kavzalno-eksperimentalno metodo. Podatki so obravnavani kvantitativno. Vzorec raziskave je predstavljalo 96 učencev 4. razredov dveh osnovnih šol v Celju – skupaj štirje oddelki. Z rezultati, ki sem jih pridobila in s pomočjo teoretičnega dela, bi rada prikazala razumevanje zahtevnejših pojmov na področju raziskave pri učencih in kako smo to razumevanje izboljšali s pomočjo računalniške simulacije. Predznanje učencev je bilo solidno, vendar se je v odgovorih že zaznalo kar nekaj napačnih predstav, ki sem jih želela s pomočjo igre tudi izboljšati. Največ napačnih predstav so učenci pokazali pri razlagi načina prehranjevanja rastlin. Veliko učencev je mnenja, da rastline pridobijo hrano preko korenin. Rezultati potestov so bili v prid uporabi računalniške simulacije, saj so učenci dosegali boljše rezultate kot pred izvedeno simulacijsko igro, prav tako so pokazali veliko zanimanje za takšen pouk. Strinjali so se, da bi se veliko več naučili, če bi se učitelji večkrat posluževali računalniških simulacij. Presenetljiv pa je tudi odnos učiteljev, saj so bili navdušeni, nekateri so me po odigrani dejavnosti tudi prosili za naslov spletne strani in fotokopije uporabljenih delovnih listov.This master\u27s degree focuses on using computer simulation with educational intentions in primary schools. Processes and phenomena behaviour can be outdrawn with the help of simulation. Pupils thus get more clear ideas of the contents that they struggle with. The topic of this master\u27s degree refers to teaching at lower primary level with the help of using computer simulation of plant growth and development. The name of this simulation is Extinct–plant survival game. Pupils\u27 incomplete and incorrect ideas in the field of research represent the research problem. The centre of interest was to what extent pupils were motivated when being taught with computer simulation and whether they would improve their knowledge in this field when having clear displays of plant growth and development. Causal-experimental method was used for research purposes. Data was treated with quantitative analysis. 96 pupils (4th class) from two primary schools in Celje, therefore four classes altogether, represent the research sample. With the help of results and the theoretical part I would like to show understanding of more difficult terms in the field of research with pupils and how their understanding was improved with the help of computer simulation. Pupils\u27 prior knowledge was satisfactory but their answers showed quite a few misconceptions, which I wanted to improve with the help of the game. Pupils showed the greatest number of misconceptions when explaining how plants feed themselves. A lot of pupils think plants get their food through their roots. Results of post-tests were in favour of using computer simulation, because pupils got better results than before the simulation game. They also showed great interest in such classes. They agreed they would learn much more if teachers used computer simulations more often. I was also surprised to learn of the teachers\u27 response as they were all very enthusiastic. Some of them even asked me for the website and copies of the used worksheets at the end of the activity