Simulation and Modeling

    Simulation and modeling are another knowledge that I have learned. Both simulation and modeling are in 3D dimension. Many advantages can be cited with respect to the use of simulation and modeling in education. They can increase the interest of a student about a subject.

   Through the simulation, we can observe the process that take in the long period in just few minute or seconds. For example is like the stages of mitosis of animal cell. Simulation offers the possibility to repeat the experiment as often as necessary. All the stages we can see quickly or slowly by control their button in simulation. Execution of the real experiment is impossible because this would take a number of weeks and can therefore not be integrated as such within a lesson. The stages in mitosis are shown clearly and the steps can be repeated. Through traditional ways, students must see the all the stages under the microscope and something the image is not clear. Besides, it is take some time to look all the stages of mitosis. But through this 3D dimension, students can understand and identify the stages in mitosis very well.

   Modeling offers the opportunity to experiment with phenomena or events, which cannot normally be experimented with in the traditional way. They provide students with experience that may be difficult or impossible to obtain in every day life. For example in class it is not possible to experiment actively the movement of the wave. But through the modeling, we can adjust or control their variables. The variables can be controlled in the same time. Unlike traditional experiment only one or two variables we can control and the result we get also not mostly accurate. Besides, it saves time because the experiment can be carried out immediately and do need to set up the apparatus. It also, more efficient because the data collected is more accurate.

    Although they can give many advantages but there also have some of the problems in integrating the use of simulation and modeling in learning. Simulation and modeling may function well from a technical point of view, but they are difficult to fit into a curriculum. Nowadays, the use of this program by teacher to teach their students is very limited. Sometimes, not all simulation and modeling can download and must have internet to access it. So it make difficult if in classroom not have the internet coverage. However, the use of this application, can not replace the practical laboratory. This is because students need practical so that they can better remember it which what they have done.

    There have some ways to overcome problems in integrating the use of the models in learning process. Firstly, since all these application is still new and not widely used in school there will be many issues and some misunderstood regarding this models as a teaching tools. So all teachers must have exposed with them and applying it in classroom hence student and other teacher would understand it more clearly. Students also must exposed with the uses of simulation and modeling besides they still need to do experiment. When experience with aspects of a real experiment is considered important but a practical laboratory only has a limited capacity, and then working with a simulation and modeling program can increase the impact of practical work.