Abstract:
Electric circuit is a difficult and abstract topic, and students at all levels of grades struggle to
master this basic concept. At the same time conventional teaching approaches employed by
teachers in physics classrooms that focus on simple electric circuits often result in futile outcomes.
The purpose of this research was to determine if the 5E model learning cycle approach would help
primary students address specific misconceptions in simple electric circuits more effectively than
using traditional teaching strategies. In this thesis, quasi-experimental design involving control and
experimental group was used. A total of eighty 8
th
grade students from two different classes from
Atse Sertse Dingle Primary School in Bahir Dar City in the Amhara Regional State participated in
this study. The experimental and control groups consisted of 42 and 38 students respectively. For
the experimental group lessons on simple electric circuits were taught using the 5E model learning
cycle approach. However, for the control group lessons on simple electric circuits were taught
using conventional teaching strategy. Made of 12 multiple-choice conceptual survey questions on
simple electric circuits was administered prior to the treatment to both groups. A questionnaire of
six items was also given to students to determine their experience and interests about learning
electricity concepts. The pre-test was followed by the treatment for duration of three weeks. After
the lessons for three weeks, post-test survey with the same instrument was administered to both
groups. In order to measure and identify the effect of the 5E model teaching approach in reducing
students’ misconceptions about simple electric circuits, independent and paired samples t-test
analysis was conducted. The finding of statistical analysis indicated that the 5E model teaching
approach significantly reduced students’ misconceptions about simple electric circuits. Further
independent samples t-test analysis and questionnaire responses indicated that, no significant
differences were found between the two group’s CUT pre-test scores. The CUT post-test had
significant difference in favour of the experimental group. Whereas the control group’s mean posttest
were not statistically significant. When CUT post-test scores of the experimental and control
groups were compared, there was significant difference in favour of the experimental group.
Findings of the study revealed that the students' attitude had very weak and inverse correlation
with their conceptions about electric circuit concepts.