Computer Modelling in Physics Education Dealing with Complexity

Computer modelling and analysis of measurements with ICT enable secondary students to study situations that are both more realistic and more complex. To fully benefit from these advantages, students need to grasp the structure of the physics domain under study. In a design research project, three ways to help the students grasp the structure of one-dimensional Newtonian dynamics were included into the lesson materials for grade 10 students, namely, (1) a map of this physics domain, (2) goal-free exercises, and (3) graphical models. Students were asked about their opinions on the effectivity of these three ways. The students considered goal-free exercises and graphical models effective for grasping this structure. They found the map rather complicated and only effective when carefully introduced.