Using Videos and 3D Animations for Conceptual Learning in Basic Computer Units

Abstract

This article draws on a one-semester study to investigate the effect of videos and 3D animations on students' conceptual understandings about basic computer units. A quasi-experimental design was carried out in two classrooms; videos and 3D animations were used in classroom activities in one group and those were used for homework in the other group. A three-phase concept test was used to determine the misconceptions, and clinical interviews were conducted to explain the improvements in conceptual understandings. The results indicated that using videos and 3D animations positively affected to remedy misconceptions and no significant difference was found among two groups in terms of conceptual change. Students' perspectives reflected that the videos and 3D animations facilitated the conceptual understanding via concretization, pausing, slowing down, replaying, and enlarging features. Along with the study findings, some implications were included for the use of videos and 3D animations in conceptual learning studies.