Digital Technologies in Science Teaching for Children

Abstract

The teaching of science to children in Brazil presents itself as a broad and complex area of understanding due to the different dimensions and influences that directly or indirectly interfere with it, such as historical, socioeconomic, demographic, and cultural contexts, among others. These factors represent current challenges in clarifying didactic proposals, in teacher training, and in promoting students' scientific literacy. There is currently a need to provide more dynamic, interactive, and modern learning experiences that keep pace with technological advancements and are capable of sparking children's interest and curiosity. In this context, we applied the tools Kahoot, Plickers, and PhET Simulations, integrating them into the curriculum to promote more dynamic and interactive learning. Kahoot was used to create real-time quizzes, stimulating active participation and student engagement. Through Plickers, a tool that allows for instant collection of responses, it was possible to assess students' understanding in a practical way without the need for individual electronic devices. PhET Simulations, which offer interactive simulations of scientific phenomena, were employed to illustrate complex concepts, providing a deeper understanding through virtual experimentation. The results showed that the use of these digital tools not only increased students' interest in science classes but also significantly improved knowledge acquisition. Our study observed that the incorporation of digital technologies in science teaching for children can be an effective strategy to improve the quality of education in low-infrastructure contexts, as is the case in many public schools in Brazil.