We give an overview of the Physics Educational Technology (PhET) project to research and develop web-based interactive simulations for teaching and learning physics. The design philosophy, simulation development and testing process, and range of available simulations are described. The highlights of PhET research on simulation design and effectiveness in a variety of educational settings are provided. This work has shown that a well-designed interactive simulation can be an engaging and effective tool for learning physics.
REFERENCES
1.
3.
K. K.
Perkins
, W.
Adams
, M.
Dubson
, N.
Finkelstein
, S.
Reid
, C.
Wieman
, and Ron
LeMaster
, “PhET: Interactive simulations for teaching and learning physics
,” Phys. Teach.
44
, 18
–23
(2006
);M.
Linn
, H.-S.
Lee
, R.
Tinker
, R.
Husic
, and J.
Chiu
, “Teaching and assessing knowledge integration in science
,” Science
313
, 1049
–1050
(2006
);
[PubMed]
T.
deJong
, “Computer simulations: Technology advances in inquiry learning
,” Science
312
, 532
–533
(2006
).
[PubMed]
4.
Wolfgang
Christian
and Mario
Belloni
, Physlet Physics: Interactive Illustrations, Explorations and Problems for Introductory Physics
(Pearson
, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2004
), and webphysics.davidson.edu/Applets/Applets.html.5.
See, for example,
How People Learn: Brain, Mind, Experience, and School
, edited by J.
Bransford
, A.
Brown
, and R.
Cocking
(National Academy Press
, Washington, DC, 2000
).6.
L. C.
McDermott
and E. F.
Redish
, “Resource Letter on physics education research
,” Am. J. Phys.
67
(9
), 755
–767
(1999
);C.
Clark
and R.
Mayer
, E-Learning and the Science of Instruction
(Pfeiffer
, San Francisco, 2003
).7.
W. K.
Adams
, S.
Reid
, R.
LeMaster
, S. B.
McKagan
, K. K.
Perkins
, and C. E.
Wieman
, “A study of educational simulations, Part I – Engagement and learning
,” J. Interactive Learning Res., to be published;W. K.
Adams
, S.
Reid
, R.
LeMaster
, S. B.
McKagan
, K. K.
Perkins
, and C. E.
Wieman
, “A study of educational simulations, Part II – Interface design
,” J. Interactive Learning Res., to be published. Preprints are available from www.colorado.edu/physics/EducationIssues/research/papers_talks.htm.8.
N. D.
Finkelstein
, W. K.
Adams
, C. J.
Keller
, P. B.
Kohl
, K. K.
Perkins
, N. S.
Podolefsky
, and S.
Reid
, “When learning about the real world is better done virtually: A study of substituting computer simulations for laboratory equipment
,” Phys. Rev. Special Topics, Phys. Educ. Res.
1
, 010103
–1
(2005
).9.
C. J.
Keller
, N. D.
Finkelstein
, K. K.
Perkins
, and S. J.
Pollock
, “Assessing the effectiveness of a computer simulation in conjunction with Tutorials in Introductory Physics in undergraduate physics recitations
,” 2005 PERC Proceedings
, edited by P.
Heron
, L.
McCullaugh
, and J.
Marx
(AIP
, Melville, NY, 2006
).10.
N. D.
Finkelstein
, W.
Adams
, C.
Keller
, K.
Perkins
, C.
Wieman
, and the PhET Team, “High-tech tools for teaching physics: The physics education technology project
,” J. Online Teaching Learning
(2006
).11.
PhET’s suggestions for creating guided inquiry-based activities available at phet.colorado.edu/new/teacher_ideas/contribution-guidelines.pdf.
12.
C.
Crouch
, A.
Fagen
, J. P.
Callan
, and E.
Mazur
, “Classroom demonstrations: Learning tools or entertainment?
,” Am. J. Phys.
72
, 835
–838
(2004
).13.
W.-M.
Roth
, C. J.
McRobbie
, K. B.
Lucas
, and S.
Boutonne
, “Why may students fail to learn from demonstrations? A social practice perspective on learning in physics
,” J. Res. Sci. Teach.
34
, 509
–533
(1997
).14.
E.
Mazur
, Peer Instruction: A User’s Manual
(Prentice-Hall
, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 1997
).15.
R. K.
Thornton
and D. R.
Sokoloff
, “Assessing student learning of Newton’s laws: The force and motion conceptual evaluation
,” Am. J. Phys.
66
(4
), 228
–351
(1998
).16.
L. C.
McDermott
, P. S.
Shaffer
, and the University of Washington Physics Education Research Group, Tutorials in Introductory Physics
(Prentice–Hall
, Upper Saddle River, NJ, 2002
).17.
S. B.
McKagan
, K. K.
Perkins
, and C. E.
Wieman
, “Reforming a large lecture modern physics course for engineering majors using a PER-based design
,” in 2006 PERC Proceedings
, edited by L.
McCullaugh
, L.
Hsu
, and P.
Heron
(AIP
, Melville, NY, 2007
).18.
S. B.
McKagan
, K. K.
Perkins
, M.
Dubson
, C.
Malley
, S.
Reid
, R.
LeMaster
, and C. E.
Wieman
, “Developing and researching PhET simulations for teaching quantum mechanics
,” Am. J. Phys.
76
, 406
–417
(2008
).19.
S. B.
McKagan
, W.
Handley
, K. K.
Perkins
, and C. E.
Wieman
, “A research-based curriculum for teaching the photoelectric effect
.” Preprint www.colorado.edu/physics/EducationIssues/research/papers_talks.htm.20.
R. N.
Steinberg
, G. E.
Oberem
, and L. C.
McDermott
, “Development of a computer-based tutorial on the photo-electric effect
,” Am. J. Phys.
64
, 1370
–1379
(1996
).© 2008 American Association of Physics Teachers.
2008
American Association of Physics Teachers
AAPT members receive access to the American Journal of Physics and The Physics Teacher as a member benefit. To learn more about this member benefit and becoming an AAPT member, visit the Joining AAPT page.
