Effect of computer-simulated teaching tools on Rwandan senior four students’ understanding of graphs of projectile motion

Abstract

This study intended to assess the extent to which computer-simulated teaching tools influence Rwandan senior four students’ understanding of graphs of projectile motion. Two schools were purposively selected, and 54 students were grouped in the control and experimental groups. Students’ scores on a multiple-choice test were collected and analyzed using frequencies and inferential statistics. Results showed that students in the experimental group got the average normalized gain in the medium range, t(36)=3.944, p<0.01 whereas in the control group it was in the low range, t(16)=1.788, p>0.05. It was found that students in the experimental group improved their understanding of graphs of projectile motion better than students who were taught using traditional methods, t(52)=-2.194, p=0.033. The study shows that using computer-simulated teaching tools influences positively students’ understanding of graphs of projectile motion. The use computer-simulated teaching tools in teaching projectile motion is recommended for physics teachers and further studies.