Abstract:

This article describes the experience, in Ukraine Pedagogical Universities, of training prospective physics teachers in computer modeling. The article focuses on a study carried out in the context of a course on "Computer Modeling" taught in the fourth year out of a five years training program.

The purpose of the course is to expand the students' idea of modeling as one of the modern methods of learning. The leaning goals include: the concept of computational experiments, modeling of deterministic and stochastic systems and skills of using of software environments for creating computer models. In addition, a central goal is to familiarize students in using educational computer models as a means of learning and research activities.

The teaching approach. One of the main forms of training activities on computer modeling in this course is laboratory work: students solve computer simulation problems using three different software tools and expand their understanding of the opportunities of using certain software tools for creating and studying computer models of physical processes. They learn to choose the programming environment for the computer implementation of a mathematical model.

A teaching program and manual "Modeling of Physical Phenomena in Computer Training Programs" (with a CD) has been developed for the course. It was approved by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and implemented in six Pedagogical Universities in Ukraine. The course is divided into five separate logically completed content modules. Each module contains a list of outcomes of students' knowledge after studying the module including basic concepts and basic skills, content of the module with approximate training time, and a list of related topics with annotations.

A pedagogical experiment was conducted from 2007 to 2009. The experiment investigated the hypothesis that the training of prospective physics teachers to create computer models of physical phenomena and processes and to use them in the learning process will contribute to developing their intellectual abilities, deepening their knowledge of computer science, physics and mathematics, and improving their skills of operating various software environments.

Methodology:
The experiment was carried out with 196 students majoring in physics and computer science: 98 students in the check group studied according to a traditional method, and 98 students in the computer modeling experimental group studied according to our proposed method.

The following data were collected about all students:
1. A diagnostic testing of the students (before studying the course) and evaluation testing (after studying the course) using special psychological tests.
2. A final test for comparing the levels of knowledge and skills of students in computer modeling.
3. Achievements in computer science, physics and mathematics.

The results of the comparative research suggest that training prospective physics teachers in computer modeling develops their intellectual abilities to perform mental operations and their general intellectual development. The program deepens their knowledge of the mathematical, physical and computer science disciplines. The students improve their skills of developing algorithms for solving physical problems, of using spreadsheets and programming environment for computer implementation of algorithms.
This experience can be used internationally in the training prospective physics teachers.

Keywords:

Training prospective physics teachers, computer modeling, teaching computer modeling, software tools for computer modeling.