Simuladores no ensino de Física Experimental: uma abordagem para potencializar o entendimento prático de óptica no ensino médio

Abstract

This paper presents an in-depth study on the use of simulators as a pedagogical tool in teaching and research in optics and physics. The central objective was to evaluate the effectiveness of computational simulators in enhancing the understanding of theoretical and practical concepts in these fields, contributing to the modernization of teaching methods. To this end, a questionnaire was administered exclusively to teachers, aiming to analyze their perceptions of the impact of simulators on physics and optics education. The results obtained, based on the teachers' responses, showed a significant improvement in content assimilation and demonstrated that simulators serve as a valuable complement to traditional methodologies, promoting a more dynamic and interactive learning experience. This study highlights how interactive simulations enable the visualization and manipulation of optical and physical phenomena, providing a practical and accessible alternative, especially in contexts with limited access to conventional laboratories. It was concluded that, although simulators do not completely replace practical experimentation, their integration into the educational environment fosters pedagogical innovation and can contribute to students' interest in physics and optics. Further studies are recommended to explore new technological tools and assess their long-term impact, always considering the perspective and experience of teachers in the teaching-learning process.