Learning Electricity through Constructing Computational Models of Complex Systems

The paper explores students' learning of electric circuit in physics through constructing computational models of complex systems using Much. Matter in Motion platform. This study focuses on development of mental models that associate properties of a circuit at the macro level with elements at the micro level. We compared the learning of electricity, systems components by eighth-grade students using the MMM platform with students’ learning following a normative curriculum using textbooks. Results show that the experimental group successfully cultivated their learning at the micro level more than the comparison group and their reasoning included connecting between the macro and micro levels. Using clustering methods, a novel progression of five mental models were found that can provide for better scaffolding of learning electricity. (מתוך המאמר)