Objeto de aprendizagem como ferramenta de modelagem computacional exploratória aplicada ao ensino de física

Abstract

Researches in the field of Computers in Education demonstrate new possibilities in the development and learning of Physics concepts mediated by computer environments. Resources such as animation and interactive simulation allow the construction of concepts and new forms of mental representation of Physics models by students. Learning Objects (LO) are one of the most used computer learning environments. Just the use of such resources does not guarantee improvement in the learning process. The current study investigated how these objects can contribute to the understanding of Physics concepts and how students evaluate the use of such resources for the learning of Physics. The study was conducted at a public school in Fortaleza, Ceará – Brasil, with High School students while conducting computational modeling activitities. Data were collected through the application of an evaluation questionnaire developed for the research. The study concluded that students overcome some difficulties in understanding concepts of Physics and that before a new situation, which was purposely used in the computational environment for this research; some difficulties in the understanding of Physics concepts are detected. The results also indicate the feasibility of such methods as mediating elements in the teaching of Physics, especially in understanding of the photoelectric effect