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Using Simulations to Teach Physics I : PhET simulations: Free, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Using Simulations to Teach Physics I : PhET simulations: Free, - - PowerPoint PPT Presentation
Using Simulations to Teach Physics I : PhET simulations: Free, researched, web based resources Kathy Perkins University of Colorado Physics Simulation Resources Comprehensive lists: http://apphysicsb.homestead.com/vls.html
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The PhET Team
University Faculty, Post-docs, K-12 Teachers, Software Developers
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NSF Carl Wieman and Sarah Gilbert King Saud University The O’Donnell Foundation Hewlett Foundation University of Colorado
Funders
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Your Prior Knowledge of PhET?
- Used PhET sims in your own teaching?
- Used in online learning?
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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.
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What is PhET?
Suite of 127 interactive sims on science and math! Currently Java and Flash will move to HTML5 (slowly)
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Is sim engaging? Student learning?
Thoughts or Reflections?
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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?
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Finding PhET
http://phet.colorado.edu
Or download! (300 MB)
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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
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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
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… 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?
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Use in lecture ‐ Visualization
Work by PhET Collaborator: Jack Barbera (UNC) Jessica R. VandenPlas (NAU)
Common expert visualization
10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Percentage of Students
**Static (N = 164, No Sim) **Static (N = 112, With Sim)
Answer Choices
A B C D
No Sim (N=164) Sim (N=112)
Correct What if you cool the gas?
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Use in lecture – Interactive Engagement
The pie graph shows the energy of the Skater, where could she be on the track?
A B C D E
PE KE
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“Lecture” “Lab” Homework ?
Use of PhET sims
Opportunity for student scientist‐like exploration
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Research‐Based Design
Designed to support inquiry learning
Provide real‐time, animated feedback as students play Implicitly scaffold inquiry through design
- f 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
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“Lecture” “Lab” Homework ?
Use of PhET sims
Opportunity for student scientist‐like exploration But, no silver bullet: Context and Activity critical
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- 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.
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Make easy to use Technologies: Embed Sims
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Make easy to use Your Recommended Technologies?
Your recommendations:
- Camtasia: Screencapture, voice over, mouse visual, etc. (online lectures)
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Next Generation PhET Sims
HTML5/Touch/iPad
Increased data in/out Increased customization What do you want?
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- 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