Teaching conservation of mechanical energy through online PhET simulations
Main Article Content
Abstract
Laboratory experience is a key aspect in teaching physics in lower and upper secondary school in Italy. Many research studies have shown that lab experience can contribute to student motivation. In Italy, however, many schools do not have a science lab or have out of date instruments; some even lack specialized personnel capable of operating the lab. Simulated online physics experiments could help fill these gaps. In this paper, we present a simulation regarding the conservation of mechanical energy available online at the Colorado PhET website.
Article Details
Section
Column "Field experiences"
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References
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Hofstein, A., & Lunetta, V. N. (1982). The role of the laboratory in science teaching: Neglected aspects of research. Review of Educational Research, 52(2), 201-217. doi: 10.2307/1170311
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Jimoyiannis, A., & Komis, V. (2001). Computer simulations in physics teaching and learning: a case study on students' understanding of trajectory motion. Computers & Education, 36(2), 183-204. doi: 10.1016/s0360-1315(00)00059-2
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McKagan, S. B., Perkins, K. K., Dubson, M., Malley, C., Reid, S., LeMaster, R., & Wieman, C. E. (2008). Developing and researching PhET simulations for teaching quantum mechanics. American Journal of Physics, 76(4), 406-417. doi: 10.1119/1.2885199
Rutten, N., Van Joolingen, W. R., & Van Der Veen, J. T. (2012). The learning effects of computer simulations in science education. Computers & Education, 58(1), 136-153. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2011.07.017
Trumper, R. (2003). The physics laboratory–a historical overview and future perspectives. Science & Education, 12(7), 645-670.
Wieman, C. E., Adams, W. K., Loeblein, P., & Perkins, K. K. (2010). Teaching physics using PhET simulations. The Physics Teacher, 48(4), 225-227. doi: 10.1119/1.3361987
Wieman, C. E., Adams, W. K., & Perkins, K. K. (2008). PhET: Simulations that enhance learning. Science, 322(5902), 682-683. doi: 10.1126/science.1161948
Adams, W. K. (2010). Student engagement and learning with PhET interactive simulations. Il Nuovo Cimento, 33(3), 21-32. doi: 10.1393/ncc/i2010-10623-0
Aleksandrova, A., & Nancheva, N. (2008). Using video analysis to investigate conservation impulse and mechanical energy laws. Methodologies and Tools of the Modern (e-)Learning, Information Technologies & Knowledge, 2, 91-96.
Bambill, H. C. R., Benito, M. R., & Garda, G. R. (2004). Investigation of conservation laws using a conical pendulum. European Journal of Physics, 25(1), 31-35. doi: 10.1088/0143-0807/25/1/005
Bryan, J. A. (2004). Video analysis software and the investigation of the conservation of mechanical energy. Contemporary Issues in Technology and Teacher Education, 4(3), 284-298. Retrieved from https://www.citejournal.org/volume-4/issue-3-04/science/video-analysis-software-and-the-investigation-of-the-conservation-of-mechanical-energy
Bryan, J. A. (2010). Investigating the conservation of mechanical energy using video analysis: four cases. Physics Education, 45(1), 50. doi: 10.1088/0031-9120/45/1/005
Doz, D., & Doz, E. (2019, in press). Poučevanje fizike preko simulacij: primer poučevanja ohranitve mehanske energije, Fizika v šoli.
Esquembre, F. (2002). Computers in physics education. Computer Physics Communications, 147(1-2), 13-18. doi: 10.1016/s0010-4655(02)00197-2
Finkelstein, N. D., Adams, W. K., Keller, C. J., Kohl, P. B., Perkins, K. K., Podolefsky, ... LeMaster, R. (2005). When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment. Physical Review - Special Topics - Physics Education Research, 1(1), 1-18. doi: 10.1103/physrevstper.1.010103
George, E.A., Broadstock, M.J., & Vazquez Abad, J. (2000). Learning Energy, Momentum, and Conservation Concepts with Computer Support in an Undergraduate Physics Laboratory. In B. Fishman & S. O'Connor-Divelbiss (Eds.), Fourth International Conference of the Learning Sciences (pp. 2-3). Mahwah, NJ, USA: Erlbaum
Hofstein, A., & Lunetta, V. N. (1982). The role of the laboratory in science teaching: Neglected aspects of research. Review of Educational Research, 52(2), 201-217. doi: 10.2307/1170311
Jewett Jr, J. W. (2008). Energy and the confused student I: Work. The Physics Teacher, 46(1), 38-43. doi: 10.1119/1.2823999
Jimoyiannis, A., & Komis, V. (2001). Computer simulations in physics teaching and learning: a case study on students' understanding of trajectory motion. Computers & Education, 36(2), 183-204. doi: 10.1016/s0360-1315(00)00059-2
Lancor, R. A. (2014). Using student-generated analogies to investigate conceptions of energy: A multidisciplinary study. International Journal of Science Education, 36(1), 1-23. doi: 10.1080/09500693.2012.714512
McKagan, S. B., Perkins, K. K., Dubson, M., Malley, C., Reid, S., LeMaster, R., & Wieman, C. E. (2008). Developing and researching PhET simulations for teaching quantum mechanics. American Journal of Physics, 76(4), 406-417. doi: 10.1119/1.2885199
Rutten, N., Van Joolingen, W. R., & Van Der Veen, J. T. (2012). The learning effects of computer simulations in science education. Computers & Education, 58(1), 136-153. doi: 10.1016/j.compedu.2011.07.017
Trumper, R. (2003). The physics laboratory–a historical overview and future perspectives. Science & Education, 12(7), 645-670.
Wieman, C. E., Adams, W. K., Loeblein, P., & Perkins, K. K. (2010). Teaching physics using PhET simulations. The Physics Teacher, 48(4), 225-227. doi: 10.1119/1.3361987
Wieman, C. E., Adams, W. K., & Perkins, K. K. (2008). PhET: Simulations that enhance learning. Science, 322(5902), 682-683. doi: 10.1126/science.1161948