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PhET Simulations What’s New in Chemistry: Free, Researched, Web-Based Resources
Trish Loeblein and Emily MoorePhET Interactive Simulations,
University of Colorado
Introductions & Goals
Who are you? A. STEM teacherB. AdministrationC. Teacher trainerD. Technology Instructor/ CoordinatorE. Other
Introductions & Goals
What do you know about PhET?A. Never heard of PhETB. Seen PhET, but never used in classC. Used PhET some in classD. Use PhET frequently
Introductions & Goals
Who would you describe your grade level interest?A. Middle SchoolB. High SchoolC. Middle and High SchoolD. Teacher Training
Introductions & Goals
What are your goals today?
1. See what’s new for Chemistry in PhET Simulations Project
2. How sims support inquiry • Features of sims that enable productive inquiry • Design and Research• Specific features for MS/HS learners
3. What does inquiry learning with a sim look like?
4. Activity Design for Inquiry
Session Outline
What is PhET?
Suite of >100 interactive sims on science!
Where is PhET?
http://phet.colorado.edu
Or download!(140 MB)
Who is PhET? University Faculty, Post-docs,
K-12 Teachers, Computer Developers
NSF
The O’Donnell Foundation Hewlett Foundation
University of Colorado
How can PhET be free?
Carl Wieman &Sarah GilbertCollaborative agreement with King Saud University
https://phet.colorado.edu/en/about/sponsors
Accessible
• Open-use License: Creative Commons – Attribution • Easy to translate for World-wide Use:
Over 2700 translations in 59 languages
• Over 15 million sims run per year, and growing
02468
10121416
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009 2010
Sim
s Ru
n (M
illio
ns)
PhET sims run from website 2004-2010-
DownloadedRun Online
Make easy to use Pick and choose which sims
to use by topic, keyword, or grade level
Customize to your environment and your learning goals
Search database of activities of over 500 by PhET or Teacher-users
Adaptable for Variety of Learners
Make easy to use
CCK in middle school: “Make the light bulb light”
CCK in high school: “Explain why the light dims when you turn the heater on”
Circuit Construction Kit
Adaptable for Variety of Learners
Design Process
Design
PhET Development Process
Design Process
Interviews
Design
PhET Development Process
Design Process
ClassroomUse
Interviews
Design
PhET Development Process
Design Process
ClassroomUse
Interviews
Design
PhET Development Process
Design Process
Research Base ClassroomUse
Interviews
Design
PhET Development Process
In the sim intuitive?
Before
In the sim intuitive?
Before After
Compare these tools?
Thoughts on these tools …
Sodium Chloride
http://www.flinnsci.com
Research-Based DesignDesigned to support inquiry learning
Implicitly scaffold inquiry through
design of controls and representations
Allow actions that would be difficult or impossible in the
real world
Create a game-like environment
Use accurate, dynamic visual representations
Show the invisible
Provide an intuitive interface, usable
without instructions
Make simulations highly interactive
Provide real-time, animated feedback
as students play
Lecture/classroomVisual Aid, Demo complement, Interactive Lecture Demos, & Concept tests
?What does sim-based inquiry learning look like?
Lab and RecitationGroup activity, Exploration and discovery
?What might sim-based inquiry learning look like?
Designing Activities Comparison:Build an Atom sim Discussion
Find out the charge of an atom that has 6 protons / 5 neutrons/ 6 electrons. Show the full symbol for this atom.
Investigate to find what determines the mass of an atom. Test your ideas and change if needed. Show examples that fit your rule.
1. What will students be doing in each activity? 2. What will students learn in each activity?3. What’s the teacher doing?
Tips for Productive Inquiry
• 5-10 minute open play: – Establish student ownership for sim– Students get familiar with controls
• Minimize/eliminate “sim-specific directions”• Use open, investigative questions • Use “Creating PhET Activities” handout
How do we assess PhET?
Pre-test Post-test
Sim
Activity
How do students feel?
more same less0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
usefulenjoyable
% st
uden
tsHow __________ was this recitation compared to others?
1. useful for your learning2. enjoyable
N = 155
Stay in touch with social media
How can you contribute?
Email: [email protected]
Send us your ideas for new simsReport bugs
Share your ideas for class use
• Suite of interactive simulations (>100)• Physics, chemistry, math
Expanding into biology, earth science• Research-based and user-tested
• Free! Online or downloadable (~140 MB)• Easy to use and incorporate in class
http://phet.colorado.edu
