How to foster STEM learning during Covid-19 remote schooling: Combining virtual and video experiments
Salome Flegr1,2,3,4, Jochen Kuhn4, Katharina Scheiter1,3,5
1Leibniz-Institut für Wissensmedien Tübingen, Schleichstr. 6, 72076, Tübingen, Germany.
Learning and Instruction
|April 6, 2023
Summary
Inquiry-based learning enhances physics conceptual understanding. Virtual and video experiments effectively substitute for hands-on activities when in-person labs are not feasible.
Area of Science:
- Science Education
- Physics Education
Background:
- Conceptual understanding is key in science education.
- Inquiry learning with experiments fosters conceptual understanding.
- The Covid-19 pandemic necessitated remote learning, limiting hands-on experiments.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the effectiveness of virtual and video experiments in promoting physics conceptual understanding among seventh graders during remote schooling.
- To compare the impact of combined virtual/video experiments versus virtual experiments alone.
Main Methods:
- 154 seventh-grade students participated in remote schooling.
- Students engaged in inquiry learning using either virtual experiments, video experiments, or a combination of both.
- Different orders of virtual and video experiment combinations were tested.
Main Results:
- Inquiry learning was confirmed to foster students' conceptual understanding in physics.
- Contrary to expectations, combinations of virtual and video experiments were not more effective than virtual experiments alone.
- Both virtual and video experiment approaches supported conceptual learning.
Conclusions:
- Inquiry learning effectively enhances physics conceptual understanding.
- Virtual and video experiments are viable alternatives when hands-on experimentation is impossible.
- Teachers can utilize digital tools to facilitate science learning remotely.
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