Developed by: PhET Interactive Simulations, University of Colorado - Boulder
middle schoolhigh schoolintro collegeinter-mediateupper levelgrad school other
calc based
alg based
conceptual
Overview
What? Open-ended game-like simulations with an intuitive interface and minimal text appropriate for a variety of class settings. Includes expert visual models that make the invisible visible and provide multiple representations, enabling scientist-like exploration and real-world connections.
Why? They are free and easy to incorporate into nearly any teaching environment or style. They are based on research into how students learn, student understanding of specific science concepts, and user interface design. Effective use of PhET simulations can lead to improved conceptual learning.
Why not? If your goal is for your students to learn to use real lab equipment, or if you don't have access to computers, PhET simulations might not be the best approach.
Example materials
Classroom video
Topic outline
Here is an example of how to incorporate PhET simulations into an introductory physics class:
(IC In Class Activity; CQ clicker questions; HW homework; Demo: teacher centered group discussion)
|
Semester 1 Unit 1: Introduction to Motion: Moving Man: IC/CQ Unit 2: More on motion and Measurement Vector Addition: IC/CQ Unit 3: Forces and the Laws of Motion Publishing skills: curve fit, drawing, tables Forces and Motion: Two activities IC/CQ Unit 4: Work, Energy, Momentum and Collisions Energy Skate Park: Four activities IC/CQ Unit 5: Circular Motion and Semester Project Pendulum: HW/CQ |
Semester 2 Unit 1: Heat and Thermodynamics Friction: Demo Unit 2: Waves: Introduction to light and sound Waves on a String: IC/CQ Unit 3: Electric and Magnetic Forces and Fields Faraday’s Electromagnet Lab: IC/CQ Unit 4: Fluid Mechanics, Semester Projects Density: IC Unit 5: Current, Resistance, Circuits, and Circuit Elements Charges and Fields: Demo |
The PhET website has more example curriculum outlines, e.g for undergraduate physics and high school physics.
Student skills developed
- Conceptual understanding
- Making real-world connections
- Using multiple representations
- Problem-solving skills
- Lab skills
- Designing experiments
Instructor effort required
- Low
Resources required
- Computers for students
Resources
Teaching Materials
You can find over 100 simulations available for free on the PhET website.
PhET also has an activity database where PhET team members and teachers from around the world can contribute teaching activities using PhET simulations. The database contains hundreds of activities that you can download for free, including labs, homework assignments, lectures, activities, concept questions, and more.
Research
Silver ValidationThis is the second highest level of research validation, corresponding to:
- at least 1 of the "based on" categories
- at least 2 of the "demonstrated to improve" categories
- at least 4 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
- W. Adams, Z. Armstrong, and C. Galovich, Can students learn from PhET sims at home, alone?, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2015, College Park, MD, 2015.
- W. Adams, A. Paulson, and C. Wieman, What Levels of Guidance Promote Engaged Exploration with Interactive Simulations?, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2008, Edmonton, Canada, 2008.
- W. Adams, S. Reid, R. LeMaster, S. McKagan, K. Perkins, M. Dubson, and C. Wieman, A Study of Educational Simulations Part I - Engagement and Learning, J. Interact. Learn. Res 19 (3), 397 (2008).
- W. Adams, S. Reid, R. LeMaster, S. McKagan, K. Perkins, M. Dubson, and C. Wieman, A Study of Educational Simulations Part II – Interface Design, J. Res. Comput. Educ. 19 (4), 551 (2008).
- H. Banda and J. Nzabahimana, Effect of integrating physics education technology simulations on students’ conceptual understanding in physics: A review of literature, Phys. Rev. Phys. Educ. Res. 17 (2), 023108 (2021).
- J. Chamberlain, K. Lancaster, R. Parson, and K. Perkins, How guidance affects student engagement with an interactive simulation, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract 15 (4), 628 (2014).
- S. Chaudhury, S. Canatsey, and P. Ward, A perspective on Interactive Lecture Demonstrations as a computer supported collaborative learning (CSCL) activity, J. Phys. Conf. Ser. 1287 (1), 012060 (2019).
- M. Dubson, K. Perkins, W. Adams, N. Finkelstein, S. Reid, C. Wieman, and R. LeMaster, PhET: Interactive Simulations for Teaching and Learning Physics, Phys. Teach. 44 (1), 18 (2006).
- B. Fiedler, E. Moore, T. Sawyer, and B. Walker, Multimodality and inclusion: Educator perceptions of physics simulation auditory display, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2021, Virtual Conference, 2021.
- N. Finkelstein, W. Adams, C. Keller, P. Kohl, K. Perkins, N. Podolefsky, S. Reid, and R. LeMaster, When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment, Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 1 (1), (2005).
- N. Finkelstein, W. Adams, C. Keller, K. Perkins, C. Wieman, and PhET, High-Tech Tools for Teaching Physics: the Physics Education Technology Project, J. Online Learn. & Teaching 2 (3), 12 (2006).
- N. Finkelstein, K. Perkins, W. Adams, P. Kohl, and N. Podolefsky, Can Computer Simulations Replace Real Equipment in Undergraduate Laboratories?, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2004, Sacramento, California, 2004.
- C. Keller, N. Finkelstein, K. Perkins, and S. Pollock, Assessing the Effectiveness of a Computer Simulation in Conjunction with Tutorials in Introductory Physics in Undergraduate Physics Recitations, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2005, Salt Lake City, Utah, 2005.
- C. Keller, N. Finkelstein, K. Perkins, and S. Pollock, Assessing the Effectiveness of a Computer Simulation in Introductory Undergraduate Environments, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2006, Syracuse, New York, 2006.
- R. Khatri, C. Henderson, R. Cole, and J. Froyd, Over One Hundred Million Simulations Delivered: A Case Study of the PhET Interactive Simulations, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2013, Portland, OR, 2013.
- D. López-Tavares, K. Perkins, S. Reid, M. Kauzmann, and C. Aguirre-Vélez, Dashboard to evaluate student engagement with interactive simulations, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2018, Washington, DC, 2018.
- S. McKagan, W. Handley, K. Perkins, and C. Wieman, A Research-based Curriculum for Teaching the Photoelectric Effect, Am. J. Phys. 77 (1), 87 (2009).
- S. McKagan, K. Perkins, M. Dubson, C. Malley, S. Reid, R. LeMaster, and C. Wieman, Developing and Researching PhET simulations for Teaching Quantum Mechanics, Am. J. Phys. 76 (4), 406 (2007).
- E. Moore, J. Chamberlain, R. Parson, and K. Perkins, PhET Interactive Simulations: Transformative Tools for Teaching Chemistry, J. Chem. Educ. 91 (8), 1191 (2014).
- E. Moore, T. Herzog, and K. Perkins, Interactive simulations as implicit support for guided-inquiry, Chem. Educ. Res. Pract 14 (3), 257 (2013).
- E. Morgan and E. Moore, Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, 2016.
- A. Paul, N. Podolefsky, and K. Perkins, Guiding without feeling guided: Implicit scaffolding through interactive simulation design, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2012, Philadelphia, PA, 2012.
- K. Perkins and E. Moore, Increasing the accessibility of PhET Simulations for students with disabilities: Progress, challenges, and potential, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2017, Cincinnati, OH, 2017.
- K. Perkins, E. Moore, and S. Chasteen, Examining the Use of PhET Interactive Simulations in US College and High School Classrooms, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2014, Minneapolis, MN, 2014.
- K. Perkins, E. Moore, N. Podolefsky, K. Lancaster, and C. Denison, Towards research-based strategies for using PhET simulations in middle school physical science classes, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, 2011.
- K. Perkins, N. Podolefsky, K. Lancaster, and E. Moore, Creating Effective Interactive Tools for Learning: Insights from the PhET Interactive Simulations Project, presented at the EdMedia + Innovate Learning, Denver, Colorado, 2012.
- K. Perkins and C. Wieman, A powerful tool for teaching science, Nature 2 (5), 290 (2006).
- N. Podolefsky, Intentional Design for Empowerment, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2013, Portland, OR, 2013.
- N. Podolefsky, W. Adams, K. Lancaster, and K. Perkins, Characterizing Complexity of Computer Simulations and Implications for Student Learning, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2010, Portland, Oregon, 2010.
- N. Podolefsky, W. Adams, and C. Wieman, Student Choices when Learning with Computer Simulations, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2009.
- N. Podolefsky, E. Moore, and K. Perkins, Implicit scaffolding in interactive simulations: Design strategies to support multiple educational goals, 2014.
- N. Podolefsky and K. Perkins, Context Dependence of Teacher Practices in Middle School Science, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2011, Omaha, Nebraska, 2011.
- N. Podolefsky, K. Perkins, and W. Adams, Computer simulations to classrooms: Tools for change, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2009, Ann Arbor, Michigan, 2009.
- N. Podolefsky, K. Perkins, and W. Adams, Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations, Phys. Rev. ST Phys. Educ. Res. 6 (2), 020117 (2010).
- N. Podolefsky, D. Rehn, and K. Perkins, Affordances of play for student agency and student-centered pedagogy, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2012, Philadelphia, PA, 2012.
- A. Price, K. Perkins, N. Holmes, and C. Wieman, How and why do high school teachers use PhET interactive simulations?, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2018, Washington, DC, 2018.
- M. Quezada-Espinoza, V. del Campo, and G. Zavala, Technology and research-based strategies: Learning and alternative conceptions, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2015, College Park, MD, 2015.
- J. Stang, M. Barker, S. Perez, J. Ives, and I. Roll, Active learning in pre-class assignments: Exploring the use of interactive simulations to enhance reading assignments, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, 2016.
- C. Wieman, W. Adams, T. Loeblein, and K. Perkins, Teaching Physics Using PhET Simulations, Phys. Teach. 48 (4), 225 (2010).
- C. Wieman, W. Adams, and K. Perkins, PhET: Simulations That Enhance Learning, Science 322 (5902), 682 (2008).
- C. Wieman, K. Perkins, and W. Adams, Oersted Medal Lecture 2007: Interactive simulations for teaching physics: What works, what doesn’t, and why, Am. J. Phys. 76 (4&5), 393 (2008).
