The Use of PhET Simulations in Teaching Modality in High Schools in Albania before and during COVID 19-Pandemic

Abstract

In this paper, we present a survey - based study regarding the use of PhET simulations in the teaching modality in high schools of Albania before and during COVID-19.  We are mainly interested in teachers' attitudes on Physics PhET simulations and their impact on the high school students’ performance. This study was performed in 125 high schools, in 10 different cities of Albania.  For this, we have performed a survey composed of 25 questions for 180 teachers, of which 72 % working in public schools. The results show that most of the teachers, have information about PhET simulations but during the classical face to face teaching, the usage percentage was about 41%. While during online classes the use of PhET simulations increased. The results show that the interest of students toward physics increases when PhET simulations are used. What can be understood easily is the fact that even PhET simulations are very useful in understanding physics, both in face to face and online teaching, the teachers in Albania seems not to be so "friendly" with them. Albanian teachers seem to be more attractive by the traditional teaching.