This study was aimed at exploring the usage of multimedia during a quantum physics class. Five instructors and 385 undergraduate students at the University of Rwanda, College of Education (UR-CE) were observed and surveyed. Thus, the study employed experimental and survey designs. A standardized classroom observation protocol for undergraduate STEM (COPUS) and a validated online survey were used. Classroom observation data were analysed quantitatively using an M.S. Excel spreadsheet, and interpreted descriptively. Likewise, survey data were analysed qualitatively using a note-pencil, and interpreted narratively. The class in which a multimedia method was used, showed more active learning compared to one in which lecturing was used. The findings indicated that instructors (lecturers) were guiding students, and the students were working in the multimedia class. In the lectured class, instructors were found presenting the content to students and students received information passively. Instructors identified the mathematical background as the trigger to students’ negative attitude towards learning quantum physics when they were encouraged to learn through animations, PhET simulations, and YouTube videos. The study recommends the use of multimedia technologies in teaching quantum physics-related concepts.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.