School of Education (SEd.)
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Browsing School of Education (SEd.) by Author "Acellam, Robinson"
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ItemEffectiveness of PHET simulations on the conceptual understanding of biological concept in a selected Secondary school in Uganda(Makerere University, 2025) Acellam, Robinson ; Alionzi, Siraji Muhamad ; Okongo, LaurenceThis study investigated the effectiveness of PhET simulations on the conceptual understanding of biological concepts in a selected secondary school in Uganda which focused specifically on the understanding of the effects of PhET simulation-based instruction towards nervous impulse transmission on the senior six students of Gombe secondary school. The study was a quasi-experimental, pre-test and post-test were administered. The sample of the study consisted of 62 participants of which 2 were biology teachers and 60 were senior six students doing biology in their subject combination in Gombe secondary school Butambala District. Over the course of three days, two teachers were trained on the effective use of PhET simulation and they conducted lessons on nervous impulse transmission while integrating Phet simulation. The pre-test, post-test, questionnaires and learners’ attitude scale were used to collect data. The data was analysed using SPSS where the paired samples t-test and descriptive statistics were analysed. The study's findings showed that the PhET simulation-based instruction had a favourable effect on students' conceptual understanding of biological concepts for abstract topic such as nervous impulse transmission as well as their attitudes towards nervous impulse transmission. The students demonstrated higher conceptual understanding after the post-test with mean score shifting from 42.17 in the pre-test to 70.17 in the post-test. In terms of attitudes, the students presented higher levels of positive attitudes towards nervous impulse transmission after the integration of PhET. The teachers were also trained on how to effectively integrate PhET simulation into the teaching and learning however several challenges could still make the adoption of the simulation not effective such as limited ICT skills, inadequate ICT tools and facilities, power outages among others. Therefore, the integration of PhET simulations in the teaching and learning of biology not only strengthens learners’ conceptual understanding of impulse transmission but also fosters positive attitudes toward the subject while equipping teachers with practical skills for effective classroom application. From the study, it is recommended that school administrations prioritize investments in basic ICT infrastructure, including computers, projectors, and reliable electricity access, to enable teachers to practically apply PhET simulations in everyday classroom teaching while teacher training institutions integrates digital pedagogy, particularly simulation-based teaching, into their curriculum so that new teachers graduate with the skills to employ these tools effectively in biology and related sciences.