O uso do simulador computacional PHET no ensino de circuitos elétricos DC

Abstract

This study discusses the use of the computational simulator PhET Interactive Simulations in the teaching of direct current (DC) electrical circuits in High School, highlighting its contribution as a didactic tool in the teaching and learning process of Physics through Information and Communication Technologies (ICT) .The study aimed to analyze the contributions of the simulator to the understanding of electricity contents, showing how computational simulations can make classes more dynamic, visual, and interactive. The methodology adopted was characterized by a qualitative and quantitative approach, developed through a pedagogical intervention with first year high school students from the Centro Estadual de Tempo Integral José Pereira da Silva, located in Teresina. The research involved 14 students, using the simulator and the MAREEA-PhET questionnaire, an instrument designed to evaluate students’ perceptions regarding the quality, usability, interactivity, and educational contribution of the digital resource. The results showed that the use of the simulator promoted greater student participation, facilitated the visualization of electrical phenomena, and contributed to meaningful learning of the studied contents. It is concluded that the PhET simulator constitutes an efficient pedagogical tool for teaching DC electrical circuits in High School, significantly contributing to the innovation of pedagogical practices mediated by digital technologies.