Effectiveness of the MLSKit in Enhancing Students’ Scientific Competency on Light Refraction
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.22337305Keywords:
Instructional Manipulative, Scientific Competency, Light Refraction, Image Formation, Physics EducationAbstract
This action research investigated the effectiveness of the Magnetic Lens Simulation Kit (MLSKit), a researcher-designed instructional manipulative, in enhancing students' scientific competency in light refraction, particularly in predicting the qualitative characteristics of image formation. The study employed a true experimental pretest-posttest design and involved 41 students at Northern Luzon Adventist College, who were divided into an experimental group (n = 21) and a control group (n = 20). A researcher-made 24-item test with a validation rating of 4.95 and a KR-20 reliability coefficient of 0.73 was used. The experimental group received instruction using the MLSKit, while the control group received conventional lecture-based instruction. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, paired-samples t-tests, and independent-samples t-tests. Results showed no significant difference between the groups in the pretest (t = -1.766, p = 0.222), indicating comparable prior knowledge. Both groups significantly improved; however, the experimental group showed greater improvement, increasing from a mean score of 8.333 to 20.810, compared with the control group's increase from 7.550 to 13.250. A significant difference was found in the posttest performance of the two groups (t = -7.728, p = 0.000), with the experimental group performing significantly better. The study concluded that the MLSKit was an effective, low-cost instructional manipulative for enhancing scientific competency in light refraction. Its hands-on approach helped students visualize and understand abstract concepts related to lens image formation, resulting in improved conceptual understanding and learning outcomes in Physics.
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