Developed by: Fred Goldberg and many others
middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
calc based
alg based
conceptual
Overview
What? A suite of computer simulations for teaching physics and physical science. Each simulation allows one to create many different situations to explore phenomena, conduct simulated experiments to test your own models, and to get feedback including multiple representations.
Why not? These simulations are very old and may not run on modern computers.
Topic outline
STATIC ELECTRICITY AND MAGNETISM
Electric & Magnetic Field Patterns
Electrostatic Lab Bench
Indicating Electrophorus
Faraday Pail
Dipole Playground
Coulomb Lab Experiment
ELECTRIC CIRCUITS
Current Electricity
Electric & Magnetic Devices
Electric & Magnetic Devices (reduced)
Coil & Magnets
FORCES AND MOTION
Force & Motion
Force & Motion (PET/PSET)
Interactions & Motion
LIGHT AND COLOR
Shadows & Pinholes
Reflection & Refraction
Mirror Images
Lens Images
Color Beams
WAVES AND SOUND
Ripple Lab
Sound Lab
SMALL PARTICLE THEORY
Microscopic Pressure
Ideal Gas
Gas Simulator
Gas Diffusion
Evaporation
Freezing & Melting
Student skills developed
- Conceptual understanding
- Using multiple representations
- Making real-world connections
Instructor effort required
- Low
Resources required
- Projector
- Computers for students
Resources
Teaching Materials
You can download the simulations for free from the PhysPort CPU Computer Simulators curriculum page. However, these simulations are very old and may not run on modern computers.
Research
Bronze ValidationThis is the third highest level of research validation, corresponding to:
- at least 1 of the "based on" categories
- at least 1 of the "demonstrated to improve" categories
- at least 1 of the "studied using" categories
Research Validation Summary
Based on Research Into:
- theories of how students learn
- student ideas about specific topics
Demonstrated to Improve:
- conceptual understanding
- problem-solving skills
- lab skills
- beliefs and attitudes
- attendance
- retention of students
- success of underrepresented groups
- performance in subsequent classes
Studied using:
- cycle of research and redevelopment
- student interviews
- classroom observations
- analysis of written work
- research at multiple institutions
- research by multiple groups
- peer-reviewed publication
References
- F. Goldberg, How Computer Technology Can be Incorporated into a Physics Course for Prospective Elementary Teachers (American Institute of Physics, College Park, 2000).
- F. Goldberg, "Integrating experiments and computer simulations to promote learning," APS Forum on Education Newsletter (Fall 2010), pp. 33-36.
- D. Huffman, F. Goldberg, and M. Michlin, Using Computers to Create Constructivist Learning Environments: Impact on Pedagogy and Achievement, J. Comput. Math. Sci. Teaching 22 (2), 151 (2003).
- V. Otero, F. Goldberg, and A. Johnson, How Does the Computer Facilitate the Development of Physics Knowledge by Prospective Elementary Teachers?, J. Educ. 181 (2), 57 (1999).
