The Use of Interactive Scientific Simulations to Strengthen the Initial Training of Chemistry Teachers ; Uso de simulaciones científicas interactivas para fortalecer la formación inicial de docentes de Química

This paper presents the results of an exploratory research that analyzes the activities designed by teachers in training for the use of interactive virtual scientific simulations. Simulations are considered to be a privileged resource for learning disciplinary content in Natural Sciences. Therefore, the objective of this study is to examine, from a predominantly qualitative approach, its use in the framework of initial teacher training as part of didactic strategies for teaching content related to the pH of a solution. Prospective teachers of Chemistry at the Universidad Nacional de San Juan (Argentina) participated in this research. The development of the study includes three instances: (a) planning of activities that involve the use of a PhET simulation; (b) instance of group discussion to propose ideas to optimize the use of the resource; and (c) reformulation and reorganization of the initial proposals. The data collection technique involves documents produced individually in the first and last instances. The objective of this work is to present an analysis of the activities proposed based on three questions: who to teach, what to teach, and how to teach. The results are examined in the light of categories created around these questions, and it can be concluded that difficulties arise in the proposals for activities related to the level of in-depth study according to the recipients, the approach to the use of simulation, the macroscopic and predominantly conceptual treatment of the contents, and the scarcity of open approaches that challenge the student body. These difficulties lead to recommending an explicit approach to the didactic use of simulations in initial teacher training. ; En este trabajo se presentan los resultados de una investigación exploratoria que analiza las actividades diseñadas por docentes en formación para el uso de simulaciones científicas virtuales interactivas. Se considera que las simulaciones son un recurso privilegiado para el aprendizaje de contenidos disciplinares en Ciencias ...