DEVELOPING STUDENTS’ COGNITIVE SKILLS THROUGH EXPERIMENTAL PROBLEMS USING THE VASCAK PLATFORM
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.56525/2wws7955Keywords:
Vascak platform, experimental problems, physics teaching, cognitive skills, virtual laboratory, research culture, scientific method, critical thinking, functional literacy, digital educationAbstract
This article examines the pressing issue of developing students’ cognitive skills in the modern educational system. The authors emphasize the significant role of physics in expanding students’ scientific worldview, engaging them in practical activities, and fostering research abilities. In this regard, solving experimental problems is considered an important tool of the learning process. However, the limited material and technical resources of schools highlight the necessity of employing virtual laboratories and digital platforms.
The article provides a detailed analysis of the effectiveness of performing experimental tasks using the Vascak platform. This resource enables students to independently design virtual experiments, carry out measurements, present results in tables and graphs, analyze data, and formulate conclusions. Such an approach follows the logic of the scientific method and contributes to the systematic development of students’ research culture.
Several examples of experimental tasks are presented: investigating the dependence of a pendulum’s oscillation period on its length, experimental verification of Ohm’s law, determining the density of an irregular-shaped object, and modeling wave interference. Each task is aimed at integrating theoretical knowledge with practical activities and enhancing students’ research skills.
The Vascak platform is characterized by its accessibility, user-friendly interface, and a variety of measuring tools (ammeter, voltmeter, stopwatch, ruler, graph-building module), which allow complex phenomena to be modeled in a clear and visual form. This contributes to saving time, reducing dependence on laboratory equipment, and improving the quality of education, particularly in schools with limited resources. Moreover, analyzing measurement results, identifying sources of error, and comparing data with theoretical values develop students’ critical thinking, data-handling abilities, and reflection skills.
