Computer and multimedia technologies at practical classes in physics

The paper addresses up to date task of effective introduction of computer-based learning tools into the educational process. Basic principles, features and methods of development and utilization of electronic courses in modern educational institutions are considered. Characteristics that should be inherent in the electronic textbook (manual) are emphasized, so that the e-textbook not only does not yield to traditional textbooks in the quality of comprehension of the educational material, but also employs the digital technology benefits for interactive and dynamic presentation of material, visualization of the studied processes and phenomena. The paper presents the electronic textbook on electrostatics developed by the author for students of technical universities, which corresponds to the current syllabus of the discipline and implements the basic requirements for the technology of creation and use of computer-based learning tools. Brief description of the textbook, its content and principles of operation are given. The e-textbook contains examples of solving problems demonstrated in animated and static way. That allows teacher to control the step-by-step process of solving problem, to demonstrate animated simulation of physical phenomena, followed by discussion and theoretical assessment, which increases interest and motivation of students to study physics. The main purpose of the etextbook when used in practical classes is to teach students to solve problems on their own. Presentation of tasks in the animated way allows to demonstrate reference solution in the form of algorithmic steps, when each subsequent step appears on the screen after most of the students have completed the previous one. Students who have succeeded to solve the task on their own can check their solution with the reference one, and those who have not can get a hint. Analysis confirms that carrying out practical classes in physics with use of our e-textbook is effective. Results of the research have shown that 68% of students who took part in the experiment have mastered methods of solving problems at the sufficient level. About 80% of students have indicated that the use of electronic and multimedia technologies in physics classes is expedient

Nanostructured Silver Substrates With Stable and Universal SERS Properties: Application to Organic Molecules and Semiconductor Nanoparticles

Nanostructured silver films have been prepared by thermal deposition on silicon, and their properties as SERS substrates investigated. The optimal conditions of the post-growth annealing of the substrates were established. Atomic force microscopy study revealed that the silver films with relatively dense and homogeneous arrays of 60–80-nm high pyramidal nanoislands are the most efficient for SERS of both organic dye and inorganic nanoparticles analytes. The noticeable enhancement of the Raman signal from colloidal nanoparticles with the help of silver island films is reported for the first time