Abstract

ALBUQUERQUE HEIDEMANN, Leonardo; SOLANO ARAUJO, Ives  and  VEIT, Eliane Angela. Experimental and computer simulation activities: what are the main factors that influence the decision of teachers to use it in their classrooms?. Rev. electrón. investig. educ. cienc. [online]. 2014, vol.9, n.2, pp.42-57. ISSN 1850-6666.

Several studies have been shown the potentialities and benefits of the use of Experimental Activities (EA) and Computer Simulation Activities (CSA) in physics education. However, it is still not being used systematically enough in the Brazilian high schools, as could it be. In this paper we employ the Theory of Planned Behavior by Icek Ajzen to analyze the main factors that influence physics teachers' decision to make use or not of EA and CSA in their classes. Our data indicate as important factors: the teachers' theoretical knowledge about the potentials and limitations of EA and CSA in physics education; the available infrastructure to implement the activities and the feeling the teachers have about their own ability to conduct these activities. The results suggest that training courses for teachers should direct their efforts not only in order to familiarize future teachers with a wide range of experiments and simulations that enable them to use EA and CSA as teaching strategies, but also to make them aware the theoretical potential and limitations of these strategies.

Keywords : Experimental activities; Computer simulations; Teacher training; Theory of Planned Behavior.