Evaluation of material supported virtual reality and animation on 6th grade students’ success, cognitive levels and loads in the unit of circulatory system

Abstract

The aim of this study was to research the effects of virtual reality and animation supported science teaching software prepared for 6th-grade systems in our body unit circulatory system subject on students’ cognitive load levels, academic success and cognitive levels. Cognitive Level Scale (CLES) and Cognitive Load Scale (CLOS) were used as data collection instrument. When the results of the study were examined, a significant difference was found between cognitive levels of students in favour of the experimental group which received virtual reality software supported teaching. At the same time, since cognitive level scale is an achievement test, a comparison was made between the groups in terms of academic achievement. Academic achievements of the students in the virtual reality software supported experimental group were significantly different and higher when compared with students in the other group. In addition, when cognitive levels of the students were examined, it was found that virtual reality supported experimental group had higher cognitive levels when compared with other groups. When the scores of cognitive load scale were examined, it was found that virtual reality supported experimental group had lower cognitive load. As a conclusion, virtual reality supported science education contributes to students’ academic achievement, their states of having higher cognitive levels and lower cognitive load.

Keywords

• animation
• cognitive level
• cognitive load
• virtual reality