Open Source Physics

Open Source Physics (Brown, 2012; Christian, 2010; Esquembre, 2012; Hwang, 2010) empowers teachers and students to create and use these free tools with the associated intellectual property rights given to customise (Wee & Mak, 2009) the computer models/tools to suit their teaching and learning needs. Open Source Physics (OSP) focuses on design of computer models, such as Easy Java Simulations (EJS) and the use of video modeling and analysis (Tracker). They allow students to investigate, explore and analyse data which is either real or simulated. The OSP approach helps users overcome barriers in creating, using and scaling up meaningful ICT use in education. In Singapore, teachers and students have created or customised existing computer models to design and re-purpose EJS models to suit their context and learning needs. Tracker tools allow students to analyse different aspects of a physics phenomena to deepen their understanding of abstract physics concepts. Using Tracker, students record the motion of objects and create their own models to test their ideas in the study of kinematics. Essentially, the two main pedagogical approaches (Figure 1) used in OSP are: Guided Inquiry investigating modeled phenomena(EJS) video analysis (Tracker) Constructionism learning by making new models(EJS) video modeling(Tracker)Comment: 6 pages, 3 figures, Ministry of Education Singapore Publication, i in Practic

Open Educational Resources from Performance Task using Video Analysis and Modeling - Tracker and K12 science education framework

This invited paper discusses why Physics performance task by grade 9 students in Singapore is worth participating in for two reasons; 1) the video analysis and modeling are open access, licensed creative commons attribution for advancing open educational resources in the world and 2) allows students to be like physicists, where the K12 science education framework is adopted. Personal reflections on how physics education can be made more meaningful in particular Practice 1: Ask Questions, Practice 2: Use Models and Practice 5: Mathematical and Computational Thinking using Video Modeling supported by evidence based data from video analysis. This paper hopes to spur fellow colleagues to look into open education initiatives such as our Singapore Tracker community open educational resources curate on http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/p/physics-applets-virtual-lab.html as well as digital libraries http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/ directly accessible through Tracker 4.86, EJSS reader app on Android and iOS and EJS 5.0 authoring toolkit for computer models in Easy Java Simulation-Open Source Physics Project. Recorded session: http://youtu.be/XgPIp6klPyAComment: 5 pages, 10 figures, Overseas Chinese Physicists and Astronomers Conference 23-27 June 2014 OCPA8 Invited Paper, Nanyang Technological University, Singapor

Creating Electronic Books-Chapters for Computers and Tablets Using Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations, EjsS Modeling Tool

This paper shares my journey (tools used, design principles derived and modeling pedagogy implemented) when creating electronic books-chapters (epub3 format) for computers and tablets using Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations, (old name EJS, new EjsS) Modeling Tool. The theory underpinning this work grounded on learning by doing through dynamic and interactive simulation-models that can be more easily made sense of instead of the static nature of printed materials. I started combining related computer models with supporting texts and illustrations into a coherent chapter, a logical next step towards tighter support for teachers and students ,developing prototypes electronic chapters on the topics of Simple Harmonic Motion and Gravity customized for the Singapore-Cambridge General Certificate of Education Advanced Level (A-level). I aim to inspire more educators to create interactive and open educational resources for the benefit of all. Prototypes: http://iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/08-gravity/154-e-book-shm http://iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/09-oscillations/153-e-book-gravity and Apple iBook Store, Google Play Book and Kindle BookComment: 6 pages, 5 figures, 20th International Conference on Multimedia in Physics Teaching and Learning conferenc

Physics Educators as Designers of Simulation using Easy Java Simulation (Ejs)

To deepen the professional practice of physics educators, I seek to highlight the Open Source Physics (OSP) and Easy Java Simulation (Ejs or EJS) community of educators that engage, enable and empower teachers as learners so that we can be leaders in our teaching practice. I learned through Web 2 online collaborative means to develop simulations together with reputable physicists through the open source digital library. By examining the open source codes of the simulation through the Ejs toolkit, I was able to examine and make sense of the physics from the computational models created by practicing physicists. I will share some of the simulations that I have remixed from existing library of simulations models into suitable learning environments for inquiry of physics. http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?board=28.0Comment: 4 pages, 9 figures, American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting Conference 2010 Summer Meeting Portland, Oregon July 17 2

Physics Educators as Designers of Simulation using Easy Java Simulation (Ejs) Part 2*

To deepen do-it-yourself (DIY) technology in the physics classroom, we seek to highlight the Open Source Physics (OSP) community of educators that engage, enable and empower teachers as learners so that we create DIY technology tools-simulation for inquiry learning. We learn through Web 2 online collaborative means to develop simulations together with reputable physicists through the open source digital library. By examining the open source codes of the simulation through the Easy Java Simulation (EJS) toolkit, we are able make sense of the physics from the computational models created by practicing physicists. We will share newer (2010-present) simulations that we have remixed from existing library of simulations models into suitable learning environments for inquiry of physics. We hope other teachers would find these simulations useful and remix them that suit their own context and contribute back to benefit all humankind, becoming citizens for the world. Abstract Footnotes: website prior to the meeting http://www.phy.ntnu.edu.tw/ntnujava/index.php?board=28.0 *Extension of Wee, L. K. (2010, 20 July). Physics Educators as Designers of Simulation using Easy Java Simulation (EJS). Paper presented at the American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting Conference: 2010 Summer Meeting, Portland, Oregon, USA.Comment: 4 pages, 6 figures, American Association of Physics Teachers National Meeting Conference: 2012 Winter Meeting Ontario, California, February 04 to 0

A Case Study of Open Source Physics (OSP) Learning Community (LC)

This paper examined how the Open Source Physics at Singapore learning community of teachers, loosing connected as creators, adapters and users, is projected to be able to self sustain, through the 3Ps scaling-up framework, of Product, Process and People. References were made to another project called WiMVT Web-based iMVT and now known as Collaborative Science Inquiry (CSI), a formalize Ministry of Education (MOE) effort to spread out good practices. Having a vision, reason, and passion-emotion are factors that the authors argue can fuel and propel the spreading of those good teaching and learning practices.Comment: 5 pages, 2 figure

Use of Blended Approach in the Learning of Electromagnetic Induction

This paper traces the importance of pedagogical content knowledge in the digital age to prepare today students for the 21st century. It highlights the need for ICT-based pedagogical models that are grounded in both the learning theories of constructivism and connectivism. One such suitable ICT-based pedagogical model is the TSOI Hybrid Learning Model. By means of a physics blended learning exemplar based on the TSOI Hybrid Learning Model, this paper argues for the use of blended learning approach as the way forward for 21st century teaching.Comment: 11 pages, 6 figures, Science Teachers' Association of Western Australia SCIOS Journa

Geostationary Earth Orbit Satellite Model using Easy Java Simulation

We develop an Easy Java Simulation (EJS) model for students to visualize geostationary orbits near Earth, modeled using Java 3D implementation of the EJS 3D library. The simplified physics model is described and simulated using simple constant angular velocity equation. Four computer model design ideas such as 1) simple and realistic 3D view and associated learning to real world, 2) comparative visualization of permanent geostationary satellite 3) examples of non-geostationary orbits of different 3-1) rotation sense, 3-2) periods, 3-3) planes and 4) incorrect physics model for conceptual discourse are discussed. General feedback from the students has been relatively positive, and we hope teachers will find the computer model useful in their own classes. 2015 Resources http://iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/08-gravity/62-gravity10Comment: 6 pages, 11 figures, 2013 Physics Education Volume 48 Number

Using the knowledge of penumbra with a trick simulation

The study is about a basic shadow experiment, which was enriched with a simulation to understand the reasoning of participants when we use a trick. Two light sources create an umbra and penumbra behind the objects. With this experiment, we asked what would happen when the penumbras interact. Most of the participants predicted the correct solution, that there should be an umbra. Some of the participants choose wrong alternative, and explained in terms of the structure of penumbra.Comment: 3 pages, 3 figures, Latin-American Journal of Physics Education, ISSN 1870-909

Open Source Energy Simulation for Elementary School

With the interactivity and multiple representation features, computer simulations lend itself to the guided inquiry learning. However, these simulations are usually designed for post-elementary students. Thus, the aim of this study is to investigate how the use of guided inquiry approach with customized energy simulation can improve students' understanding of this topic. In this ongoing research, the case study is adopted. In the first phase of the study, we have modified open source energy simulation based on principles for reducing extraneous processing, existing energy simulation and guided inquiry approach. The modified simulation is sent to teachers for evaluation and the feedback is encouraging. In the next phase of the study, the guided inquiry lesson package involving the energy simulation would be designed and deployed in an elementary classroom. Multiple data sources would be collected to seek a deeper understanding on how this learning package can possibly impact students' understanding of the physics concepts.Comment: Proceedings of the 20th International Conference on Computers in Education. Singapore: Asia-Pacific Society for Computers in Educatio