Developing an Interactive Physics Simulation System to Support the Teaching of Artificial Intelligence for Upper Secondary School Students

Author's Information:

Nguyen Quang Linh

Thai Nguyen University of Education, Thai Nguyen City, Vietnam

Tran Kim Phuong

Sa Pa No.1 High School, Lao Cai, Vietnam

Vol 03 No 10 (2026):Volume 03 Issue 10 October 2026

Page No.: 951-958

Abstract:

The integration of artificial intelligence (AI) content into school science subjects remains limited, particularly in developing countries. This study aimed to develop an interactive physics simulation system supporting the teaching of solid deformation in Grade 10 and examine changes in students’ AI competency after a learning process with the system. A single-group pretest-posttest design was employed over six weeks with 89 Grade 10 students at Sa Pa No. 1 High School, Vietnam, using parallel-form tests, a Likert self-assessment scale, and observation checklists, with data analyzed via paired-samples t-tests. The results demonstrated statistically significant gains in all three AI competency components-understanding AI data, applying algorithms, and evaluating models (p < 0.001)-indicating the feasibility of embedding AI learning within mechanics instruction. Future research should incorporate comparison groups, retention measures, and larger samples across various school contexts to validate these findings.

KeyWords:

AI competency, interactive simulation, physics education, machine learning, secondary students

References:

  1. Bộ Giáo dục và Đào tạo. (2018). Chương trình giáo dục phổ thông: Chương trình tổng thể (Ban hành kèm theo Thông tư số 32/2018/TT-BGDĐT ngày 26/12/2018). https://moet.gov.vn
  2. Campbell, D. T., & Stanley, J. C. (1963). Experimental and quasi-experimental designs for research. Houghton Mifflin.
  3. Casal-Otero, L., Catala, A., Fernández-Morante, C., Taboada, M., Cebreiro, B., & Barro, S. (2023). AI literacy in K-12: A systematic literature review. International Journal of STEM Education, 10, 29. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40594-023-00418-7
  4. Chen, L., Chen, P., & Lin, Z. (2020). Artificial intelligence in education: A review. IEEE Access, 8, 75264–75278. https://doi.org/10.1109/ACCESS.2020.2988510
  5. Cohen, J. (1988). Statistical power analysis for the behavioral sciences (2nd ed.). Lawrence Erlbaum Associates. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203771587
  6. de Jong, T., & van Joolingen, W. R. (1998). Scientific discovery learning with computer simulations of conceptual domains. Review of Educational Research, 68(2), 179–201. https://doi.org/10.3102/00346543068002179
  7. Fraenkel, J. R., Wallen, N. E., & Hyun, H. H. (2012). How to design and evaluate research in education (8th ed.). McGraw-Hill.
  8. Hattie, J. (2009). Visible learning: A synthesis of over 800 meta-analyses relating to achievement. Routledge. https://doi.org/10.4324/9780203887332
  9. Kasneci, E., Sessler, K., Küchemann, S., Bannert, M., Dementieva, D., Fischer, F., Gasser, U., Groh, G., Günnemann, S., Hüllermeier, E., Krusche, S., Kutyniok, G., Michaeli, T., Nerdel, C., Pfeffer, J., Poquet, O., Sailer, M., Schmidt, A., Seidel, T., … Kasneci, G. (2023). ChatGPT for good? On opportunities and challenges of large language models for education. Learning and Individual Differences, 103, 102274. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.lindif.2023.102274
  10. Lakens, D. (2013). Calculating and reporting effect sizes to facilitate cumulative science: A practical primer for t-tests and ANOVAs. Frontiers in Psychology, 4, 863. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00863
  11. Laupichler, M. C., Aster, A., Schirch, J., & Raupach, T. (2022). Artificial intelligence literacy in higher and adult education: A scoping literature review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3, 100101. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100101
  12. Long, D., & Magerko, B. (2020). What is AI literacy? Competencies and design considerations. In Proceedings of the 2020 CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems (pp. 1–16). ACM. https://doi.org/10.1145/3313831.3376727
  13. Miao, F., Shiohira, K., & Lao, N. (2024). AI competency framework for students. UNESCO. https://doi.org/10.54675/JKJB9835
  14. Morris, S. B., & DeShon, R. P. (2002). Combining effect size estimates in meta-analysis with repeated measures and independent-groups designs. Psychological Methods, 7(1), 105–125. https://doi.org/10.1037/1082-989X.7.1.105
  15. Ng, D. T. K., Leung, J. K. L., Chu, S. K. W., & Qiao, M. S. (2021). Conceptualizing AI literacy: An exploratory review. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 2, 100041. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2021.100041
  16. Perkins, K., Adams, W., Dubson, M., Finkelstein, N., Reid, S., Wieman, C., & LeMaster, R. (2006). PhET: Interactive simulations for teaching and learning physics. The Physics Teacher, 44(1), 18–23. https://doi.org/10.1119/1.2150754
  17. Podolefsky, N. S., Perkins, K. K., & Adams, W. K. (2010). Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations. Physical Review Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 6(2), 020117. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevSTPER.6.020117
  18. Rutten, N., van Joolingen, W. R., & van der Veen, J. T. (2012). The learning effects of computer simulations in science education. Computers & Education, 58(1), 136–153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.compedu.2011.07.017
  19. Smetana, L. K., & Bell, R. L. (2012). Computer simulations to support science instruction and learning: A critical review of the literature. International Journal of Science Education, 34(9), 1337–1370. https://doi.org/10.1080/09500693.2011.605182
  20. Su, J., Zhong, Y., & Ng, D. T. K. (2022). A meta-review of literature on the academic use of artificial intelligence in K-12 education. Computers and Education: Artificial Intelligence, 3, 100065. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.caeai.2022.100065
  21. Touretzky, D., Gardner-McCune, C., Martin, F., & Seehorn, D. (2019). Envisioning AI for K-12: What should every child know about AI? Proceedings of the AAAI Conference on Artificial Intelligence, 33(1), 9795–9799. https://doi.org/10.1609/aaai.v33i01.33019795
  22. Wieman, C. E., Adams, W. K., & Perkins, K. K. (2008). PhET: Simulations that enhance learning. Science, 322(5902), 682–683. https://doi.org/10.1126/science.1161948
  23. Zawacki-Richter, O., Marín, V. I., Bond, M., & Gouverneur, F. (2019). Systematic review of research on artificial intelligence applications in higher education: Where are the educators? International Journal of Educational Technology in Higher Education, 16, 39. https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-019-0171-0