An Analysis of Students’ Misconceptions on the Implementation of Active Learning of Optics and Photonics Approach Assisted by Computer Simulation

Abstract

Misconceptions take place in a variety of Physics lesson subjects including the Light and Optics. This study aimed at determining the students’ misconceptions and the effectiveness of Active Learning of Optics and Photonics (ALOP) approach assisted by computer simulation to reduce misconceptions among students on the material of optical instruments. The mixed method was employed in this study using embedded mixed method design. The study was conducted to students of grade XI in one senior high school in Bandung. The participants were divided into two groups: control group and experimental group in which each group consisted of 23 students. A conventional learning was applied in the con-trol group while the experimental class implemented ALOP computer-aided simulation learning. The instrument used to identify students’ misconceptions were Four-Tier Optics and Photonics Test (FTOPT), consisted of 18 items, which was given during the pre-test and post-test. The results showed that misconceptions were disseminated over the concept of eyes, camera, magnifier, mi-croscopes, and telescopes. Additionally, ALOP approach using computer-aided simulations is effective to reduce students’ misconceptions on the material of op-tical instrument.