Simulation based design of bridges

Bridges are an excellent example of real world structures that can be used to introduce students to many important STEM concepts. A free desktop software called West Point Bridge Designer is available from the U.S. Military Academy. The software installed without problems and I was up and running in just a few minutes (see screenshot below).

Graphics are great, as is the coverage of all the different aspects of a real world bridge design project, ranging from engineering to economics. Great for kids at any level.

Social aspects of learning important for success of students at risk

Just finished reading an article by Suzanne Brahmia et al at Rutgers on the importance of social aspects of learning to foster success of students at risk. The paper notes a rise in the number of non-traditional students taking physics (females, students from ethnic backgrounds) and identifies common features for at-risk students: low confidence level, lack of community, weak academic preparation and unrealistic expectations. The paper presents a multi-faceted program that supplements lectures, recitations, experiments with group work and reports a significant reduction in drop-out rate. Could free web-based collaborative simulation tools from SimInsights provide yet another medium to bolster the social aspects of learning for at-risk students?

Web based screen video capture

http://screenr.com/ is a useful web-based screen video capture tool that allows instant posting to YouTube. I plan on using this to demonstrate SimInsights simulations. Watch for screenr videos on this blog and on our YouTube channel.

Following site has more details of other similar apps:
http://linuxandfriends.com/2009/09/03/free-screen-video-capture-web-based-solutions/

A private simulation repository for your physics class

SimInsights provides a functionality that many teachers will find very useful: You can create a private repository for the students of your class. Only those who have the "class-codes" (defined below) will be able to access this repository. Here is how it works:

1. Teacher emails siminsights@gmail.com to request a class code
2. SimInsights emails a class code to the requesting teacher
3. Teacher emails code to all students in class
4. Upon receiving class code from teacher, student 1 adds the class code to access the repository
5. Student 1 builds a model and publishes it to the class repository using the class code 
6. Other students begin to comment on student 1's model
7. This happens for all students in the class, due to which the class repository starts filling up with models and comments on them
8. After the due date, teacher begins review of the completed assignments and comments using the 'summary view'

This process was used for the assignment at Fremont High School. The private repository provides a safe-place for the entire class to engage in collaborative simulation based learning. Collaboration allows each student to experience multiple perspectives which helps build meta-cognitive skills. Meta-cognitive skills in turn help develop adaptive-expertise, which is vital for success in a fast changing world.

"Physics to the Rescue" presented at American Association of Physics Teachers (AAPT) Winter Conference 2011

A study on the effectiveness of "Physics to the Rescue" guided-inquiry mini-games was presented in a poster session at the AAPT Winter Conference 2011 in Jacksonville, Florida by Anna Karelina. See poster below.

The study was conducted at Glendale Community College and found that students enjoyed the game very much, spending upto 2.5 hours playing it, when they were asked to only spend upto half an hour on it. Students also reported that the game helped them learn the concepts while having fun and asked for more such games. Following are some quotes:

• Even though the game was hard, it helped me to understand the concept better. We should have more games like this to help us understand better
• I actually like the idea of learning the lessons through game process because it is fun and I think that I learn better since I’m more interested. I had some difficulties but it was not that big deal – that was interesting idea to have us play to understand the concept
• The website was a good [resource] that made me to understand concepts better
• It was an interesting game. It as hard at first because I became confused about frequency but I eventually understood.
• We need homework tasks that will boost our confidence. Something like this one.
• The game helped me understand better… I would like more games like that in order to help me to understand
• The game was interesting and helpful to better understand the subject.

To learn more about Physics to the Rescue, click here.

Simulation based assessments

Most people will agree that simulations can pose richer questions. Here is a simulation based assessment: http://174.143.203.238/index.php/Collision_Question_1.

A screenshot image is included below.

Using SimInsights tools, it is easy to create a collection of such rich assessments and administer them through the web. For more such assessments, click here