Educational Tool for the Qualitative Analysis of Electric Circuits

Objectives: This article presents a strategy for the qualitative analysis of electrical Circuits. The objective is to serve as a supporting material for the instruction on electrical circuits, framing its development within the trend of constructivism. Methods: The computer tool developed entails an educational proposal that presents a methodology to support the instruction of concepts related to the dynamic response of electrical circuits with resistive, capacitive, and inductive elements. In the application, the magnitude of the variables is represented in terms of the height of the electrical symbols; the height can be modified by the user to make variations in the dynamics of each circuit in real time. Findings: There are several computer tools for the analysis of circuits in the market; however, this work presents a didactic alternative that favors qualitative data, in contrast with popular tools that grant privilege to quantitative data. It has been identified that the application allows showing students’ mistakes in the basic concepts, as well as it allows the strengthening of the learning process thanks to its high visual component. This proposal uses activities of guidance and discussion in relation to key concepts of each circuit studied. Application: This document presents the overview of the tool, its graphic user interface, the didactic proposal suggested for its use, and the methodological aspects required for its use, including the rationale for the suggested activities.