Innovative methods of teaching electrical circuits to future teachers through integrated physics and computer science education

Abstract

The object of this research is the innovative methods of teaching electrical circuits to future teachers through the integration of physics and computer science subjects. During the study, the main issues of traditional teaching, low functional literacy and lack of practical skills were identified, and integrated teaching based on the STEM approach was proposed as a solution. As a result, three educational tools, Arduino, Raspberry Pi, and PhET Simulations, were compared in terms of adaptability, cost-effectiveness, and interactivity: the PhET platform scored 9.2 in adaptability and 9.0 in cost-effectiveness, while Arduino led in interactivity with a score of 9.0. Additionally, PhET was shown to have 95% user accessibility, 2-day integration speed, and zero technical cost. Among the participating students, 78% demonstrated improved functional literacy, 76% acquired engineering problem-solving skills, 68% gained programming skills, and 65% mastered digital modeling. These results are explained by the effective combination of visual, practical, and project-based teaching methods. The uniqueness of the obtained results lies in their grounding in specific quantitative indicators and their validation through international comparisons. The proposed methodological model is suitable and effective for use in pedagogical universities, particularly in blended learning formats with digital infrastructure.