Computer Simulations

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Simulation is the imitation of the operation of a real-world process or system.The act of simulating something first requires that a model be developed; this model represents the key characteristics, behaviors and functions of the selected physical or abstract system or process. The model represents the system itself, whereas the simulation represents the operation of the system over time. Simulations have the potential to engage students in "deep learning" that empowers understanding as opposed to "surface learning" that requires only memorization. Simulations are the way scientists do their work. Using instructional simulations gives students concrete formats of what it means to think like a scientist and do scientific work. …show more content…

When students create an electric circuit with an online program, they are learning about physics theory by simulating an actual physical set-up. Computer simulations represent the real world by use of a computer program. Simulations can be a valuable tool in the science classroom. They can exemplify scientific concepts and situations thereby allowing students to explore the nature of things. Issues such as cost, safety, scope, time and scale can be overcome by the use of a scientific simulation. Computer simulations help visual learners understand problems that they would not thoroughly understand simply through reading about them or solving word problems. The sophistication and variety of computer simulations in the field of science is increasing rapidly. According to Hargrave and Kenton there are four characteristics of pre-instructional simulations that are important in science education: they are exploratory environments, they contain variables that can be manipulated by the student, they allow the student numerous attempts to complete the task and they provide feedback that is consistent with the phenomenon it …show more content…

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