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Using Simulations to Teach PhysicsI: PhET simulations: Free, researched, web‐based resources
Kathy PerkinsUniversity of Colorado
Physics Simulation Resources
Comprehensive lists: http://apphysicsb.homestead.com/vls.htmlhttp://fnoschese.wordpress.com/physics‐applets‐animations/
Falstad Gizmos ($$)
The PhET TeamUniversity Faculty, Post-docs,
K-12 Teachers, Software Developers
NSF
Carl Wieman and Sarah Gilbert
King Saud University
The O’Donnell Foundation
Hewlett Foundation
University of Colorado
Funders
Your Prior Knowledge of PhET?
• Used PhET sims in your own teaching?
• Used in online learning?
Workshop Goals
1. Design features that support learning
2. Ways to integrate into & leverage for online learning• What are important supporting technologies?
3. Research based tips to help guide use in class.
What is PhET?Suite of 127 interactive sims on science and math!
Currently Java and Flash will move to HTML5 (slowly)
Is sim engaging? Student learning?
Thoughts or Reflections?
Your thoughts here:• Seeing the invisible – changes and redistribution • Bar graphs change – vocabulary ‘capacitance’ • Immediate feedback • Putting together pieces • Easy to change • Easy to explore, investigate • Dielectric constant • Student motivation / affect : • Visual – seeing what is going on
Thoughts? What aspects do you see supporting your students’ learning?
Finding PhET
http://phet.colorado.edu
Or download!(300 MB)
Making PhET Accessible
• Open‐use License: Creative Commons – Attribution(Commercial companies = Request to donate to project)
• Easy to translate for World‐wide Use: Over 3000 translations in 74 languages
• Over 45 million sims run per year, and growing
Make easy to use Flexibility for you to Pick and choose which sims to use Customize use …
to your environment and your learning goal Search database of activities (>800 by PhET or Teacher‐users)
CCK in grade school: “Make the light bulb light”
CCK in college: “Explain why the light dims when you turn the heater on”
Circuit Construction Kit
Made for easy use
… In online “Lecture”• As a visualization in lecture –• Interactive – clicker questions • Interactive lecture demos
… In online “Lab”• Labs around it • Tutorial group problem solving
… In online Homework/Assignments• Outside material – Open play • Homework
?Ideas, Benefits, Drawbacks, and Challenges for Integrating PhET in online learning?
Use in lecture ‐ Visualization
Work by PhET Collaborator: Jack Barbera (UNC)Jessica R. VandenPlas (NAU)
Common expert visualization
0
10
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Perc
enta
ge o
f Stu
dent
s **Static (N = 164, No Sim)
**Static (N = 112, With Sim)
Answer ChoicesA B C D
No Sim (N=164)Sim (N=112)
CorrectWhat if you cool the gas?
Use in lecture – Interactive Engagement
The pie graph shows the energy of the Skater, where could she be on the track?
A
B
C
DEPE
KE
“Lecture”
“Lab”
Homework
?Use of PhET sims
Opportunity for student scientist‐like
exploration
Research‐Based DesignDesigned to support inquiry learning
Provide real‐time, animated feedback as students play
Implicitly scaffold inquiry through design
of controls and representations
Make simulations highly interactive
Use accurate, dynamic visual representations
Show the invisible
Provide an intuitive interface, usable
without instructions
Create a game‐like environment
Allow actions that would be difficult or impossible in the
real world
“Lecture”
“Lab”
Homework
?Use of PhET sims
Opportunity for student scientist‐like
exploration
But, no silver bullet: Context and Activity
critical
• Start with open exploration / play (5‐10 min)– Establish student ownership of the sim
• Minimize or eliminate “sim‐specific directions”• Use open, investigative questions
Research‐based: Tips for Productive Inquiry
Set the canon angle to 45 degrees …
Explore all the things that affect projectile
distance.
Make easy to useTechnologies: Embed Sims
Make easy to useYour Recommended Technologies?
Your recommendations: • Camtasia: Screencapture, voice over, mouse visual, etc. (online lectures)
Next Generation PhET Sims
HTML5/Touch/iPadIncreased data in/outIncreased customizationWhat do you want?
• Suite of interactive simulations (>125)• Physics, chemistry, math
Expanding into biology, earth science• Research‐based and user‐tested
• Free! Online or downloadable (~300 MB)• Easy to use and incorporate in class
http://phet.colorado.edu