Simuladores computacionais X oficina de modelos : um estudo entre a alternância destes métodos na aprendizagem de um mesmo fenômeno físico

Abstract

In modern times each day challenges are created by new technologies. Education must enable citizens to master them. This work analyzes the pedagogical impact of using a virtual model (computer simulation) alternated with a physical model (experiment) created by students in an educational workshop. The alternate use of two types of resources allows students to observe not only the use of different models, but participate in its construction. This considerably reduces the difficulty in realizing that the model is only analogous to the physical phenomenon studied, therefore has limitations compared to real one. The theories of Vigotski, Piaget, Papert and the philosophical reflections Bachelard helped in formulating some working hypotheses, in action planning and analysis of data collected. It is a qualitative research that uses on a few moments the researcher‟s intervention. The results indicated that the tools created proved interesting to start students and teachers in a new mode of teaching-learning, allowing students a creative appropriation of formal knowledge. New research perspectives were thus created.