Loyiso C. Jita

This study employed a descriptive case study design to examine the integration of technology in science education, focusing on the professional development of student teachers in Ghana. Using the technological pedagogical and content knowledge (TPACK) framework as a theoretical lens, the study aimed to address the gaps in existing teacher education programs. Through a technology integration training workshop, the progress of four student teachers in developing their competencies for integrating technology into the teaching of high school physics using simulations was tracked and examined. Drawing on a combination of quantitative (survey) and qualitative data (focus group discussions, semi-structured interviews, observations, and lesson artefacts) sources, findings revealed that the student teachers improved their teaching with technology, which was evident in their developed TPACK, improved content knowledge and developed competencies in the exploration of Physics Education Technology simulation environments. These outcomes suggest a transformative shift in student teacher's teaching approaches, transitioning from a teacher-centered paradigm to a learner-centered one, particularly within the context of simulation environments. Despite initial challenges associated with insufficient content knowledge, establishment of relationships among physics content, teaching strategies and the identified affordances of the simulation environment as well as the shift from traditional to learner-centered approach, the study underscores the pivotal role played by the professional training arrangement implemented for the research.

Teacher-dominated approach is still the most adopted teaching strategy in Ghanaian high schools despite the Government of Ghana’s initiatives to support technology-oriented, learner-centred and interactive teaching practices. This study examined the effectiveness of simulation-based lessons in improving the teaching of high school physics by adapting the five dimensions for meaningful learning with information and communication technology model by Howland, Jonassen and Marra (2012) as a theoretical lens. Using an explanatory case study design, eight pre-service physics teachers from the University of Cape Coast, Ghana were engaged to develop and design simulation-based physics lessons in design teams and enact these lessons among themselves in microteaching sessions. Results showed that the simulation-based lessons were effective in that the pre-service teachers’ teaching practices improved to be learner-centred and interactive. The results also suggested that although a combination of all the dimensions of meaningful learning was key to the effectiveness observed with each of the simulation-based lessons, the Cooperative dimension was found to possess a unique potential for sustaining the other dimensions in order to facilitate improvements in the teaching of physics with simulations. Keywords: high school physics, ICT, interactive teaching, pre-service teachers, simulation-based lessons.