Development of Human Circulatory System Prototype as a Teaching Tool Among Secondary School Students

Abstract

The Form 3 Science curriculum in Malaysia includes the Maintenance and Continuity of Life theme, within which students often encounter difficulties visualizing internal organ structures and circulatory processes, particularly heart anatomy. To address these challenges, this study reports a preliminary evaluation of CirculaBody, an interactive circulatory system prototype comprising a Heart Anatomy Puzzle and a Blood Flow Board. The prototype was developed using the ADDIE instructional design model and aims to support experiential learning through tactile and visual representations. Prototype testing was conducted with 15 Form 3 students from a single secondary school using a pre-test and post-test design. Results indicate a modest overall improvement in test scores, with greater learning gains observed in items requiring spatial and structural understanding of heart anatomy. Questionnaire feedback suggests that students perceived the prototype as helpful for visualizing circulatory structures compared to conventional two-dimensional representations. However, the absence of a control group and the small sample size limit causal inference and generalizability. The findings provide initial insights into the pedagogical potential of hands-on and representational learning tools for lower secondary biology and highlight areas for refinement and further investigation through larger-scale, controlled studies.