curve rather than four points on it.” However, with the more able group, he would need to plan a
lesson that addressed the premises on which the model underlying the simulation was based.
Teacher B took this latter point further. He was teaching electrical circuits to a group of able
students, also in Year 10. After introducing the theory he then used a CD-ROM called ‘Furry
Elephants’ (see Figure 2) with the group in order to clarify the underlying principles of energy
carrying charged particles before they went on to plan an investigation into the resistance of wire as
individuals.
Unfortunately, some of the graphics used in this simulation indicating energy being dissipated at
specific components conflicted with the conceptual understanding already developed by some of
the more able learners in the group that energy is dissipated throughout a circuit. B used this
discovery of the need to review the models used in many simulations carefully in developing a
second SDI for older students. This second SDI focused on Year 12 (16-17 years) pre-university
physics2 students using the Internet to research and review examples of photoelectric effect
simulations.
Therefore, both of B’s SDIs included discussion around the fact that the students’ understanding of
the topic was actually in conflict with what was being represented in the simulation. B was
particularly pleased with the students’ responses to the second SDI, he concluded that this was an
effective way of using the resources on the Web, because it could circumvent the problems of
incorrect science in the simplified models used:
They have to be critical. They’re being more active and proactive in their learning, rather
then just reacting to what they’re seeing in front of them and automatically grabbing it off the
Web because it looks pretty. They’re being critical. And teaching critical thinking has got to
be a good way forward.
Teacher B hit upon a method of planning for the use of simulations in science that might go some
way toward allaying Wellington’s (2000) concerns about them being idealised and simplified