Proteus-based circuit simulation and differentiated learning in vocational electronics education: a quasi-experimental study to overcome laboratory infrastructure limitations in vocational high schools

A quasi-experimental study in Indonesian vocational high schools explored the effectiveness of integrating Proteus circuit simulation software with differentiated learning to address limitations in laboratory infrastructure for electronics education. The research aimed to improve students' cognitive achievement in electrical and electronics fundamentals, finding a positive impact from this pedagogical approach.

Why it matters

Addressing infrastructure limitations in technical education through innovative pedagogical and technological integration is critical for developing skilled workforces. This approach can enhance cognitive achievement, potentially leading to improved educational outcomes and better prepared graduates for technical fields, even in resource-constrained environments.

Key insights

• Vocational high schools (SMK) in Indonesia face a significant gap between electronics curriculum requirements and existing laboratory infrastructure, hindering students' understanding of abstract electrical concepts.
• The study employed a quasi-experimental, nonequivalent control-group pretest-posttest design.
• Sixty-two students from an Electronics Engineering Program at a Central Java vocational high school participated.
• The experimental group (n=31) received Proteus simulation-based learning integrated with a differentiated learning process strategy.
• The research investigated the impact of this approach on students' cognitive achievement in Fundamentals of Electricity and Electronics.

Source

Frontiers in Education — https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/feduc.2026.1878824