The Effectiveness of Using Digital Visual Presentations Compared to Traditional Teaching Supported by Practical Activities in Developing Comprehension, Analysis, and Inference Skills among Primary School Students in Science: A Quasi-Experimental Study

Abstract

This study aimed to investigate the effect of using digital visual presentations compared to traditional teaching methods in teaching Science to second-grade primary school students and to examine their impact on developing attention, comprehension, analysis, and inference skills. The study adopted a quasi-experimental approach using a one-group design. Science was taught using traditional teaching methods for six months, followed by digital visual presentations for another six months with the same group of students. The study sample consisted of 21 second-grade primary school students from Qaem Al-Darb School affiliated with Jazan Education Administration during the academic year 1447 AH. Data were collected using an observation checklist and achievement tests. The data were analyzed using means, standard deviations, and the paired samples T-Test. The findings revealed statistically significant differences at the significance level of (0.05) in favor of traditional teaching methods in improving students’ attention and concentration, comprehension and understanding, analysis and inference skills, as well as overall learning outcomes. The results also indicated that traditional teaching supported by concrete teaching aids, hands-on activities, and direct scientific experiments was more effective in developing deep understanding of scientific concepts than digital visual presentations, despite the latter’s ability to provide visual attraction and classroom interaction. In light of these findings, the study recommended achieving a balance between digital technologies and traditional teaching methods in Science instruction for lower primary grades, ensuring that digital media are used as supportive educational tools rather than substitutes for direct interaction and practical classroom activities.