His Program: Hwa Chong Centre for Talent Development (CenTaD)

Proposal for SMTP-GATE Elective Module 2015

The elective module aims to:

1. provide opportunities for students to explore their passion to broaden and/or deepen their learning in Mathematics, the Sciences (beyond the core curriculum) and in other disciplines;
2. empower students to take ownership of their learning; and
3. promote critical thinking and enhance communication skills

Title Computational Modeling with Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations & Open Source Physics 

Subject / Area Physics

Date 28 Apr, 5 May and 12 May

Target Group (eg Open to All GATE students, only for GATE-biology students) Open to All GATE students

Pre-requisites (if any) strong interest 

Instructor (either HCI staff or external) Wee Loo Kang Lawrence

Min class size (if any) 4

Max class size (if any) 30

Synposis

This workshop aims to provide a hands-on bootstrapping experience to the Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EjsS) & Open Source Physics (OSP) modelling and authoring tool.

Day 0

1. Software Download and unzip. http://www.um.es/fem/EjsWiki/Download/Download?action=downloadman&upname=EJS_5.1_150322.zip Test ejs by clicking
   Ejsconsole.jar.
2. Java runtime installed

Some flip video here
http://www.um.es/fem/EjsWiki/Main/Webcasts

Day 1

On day 1, participants will build brand new a simple constant motion model, free fall and bounce up model with pedagogical design such as scientific view, inputs fields and sliders for users to change and interactive productively with the model. Participants will explore the Singapore Digital Library http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/
before deciding on a particular model to customize with the aim to use it to teach other students/teachers about the concepts they personally find difficult/challenging. A template will be provided to facilitate best design view for full screen on android and ios devices and epub3 an interactive eBook format.

outline: 

1. 1. brand new a simple constant motion model my example http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/01_measurement/ejss_model_horizontalvertical/horizontalvertical_Simulation.xhtml, notice how i use constant motion to allow animation
   1. Description: instructional materials, how to guide etc., add link html or xhtml for epub
   2. Model:
      1. Page 1 variables declared should be easy to understand
         1. create logic tabs for group of variables
         2. the initial values/states should be assigned to avoid errors in code generation
      2. Page 2 initialization initial codes to run at beginning of codes, usually used with dropbox menu
      3. Page 3 evolution, what the simulation does every time step dt.
         1. Event to event to compute exact time and position of event such as collision 
      4. Page 4 Fixed relations codes to compute after every time step dt such as kinetic energy = 0.5*m*v^2
      5. Page 5: custom function, codes to run every time, add now to be scale-able across different simulations.
   3. HTMLview: where drawable objects as made visible, equation driven motion etc.
      1. Simple Layout Main/ Right
      2. Bottom Control such as  inputs fields and sliders
2. free fall
   1. y direction
   2. used event to compute exact time and position of event such as collision etc.http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_2kinematics/ejss_model_projectile/projectile_Simulation.xhtml
3. use the http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/00workshop/ejss_src_lookangtemplate.zip as first template to add your own simulation ideas
4. How to share your simulations:Package current simulation, zip the simulation source files 
   

 

Day 2

Day 2, each participant will share some of the common design ideas for trainer to share with the group. If you need ideas ask me, i can suggest a few like how to convert existing EJS Java models into the brand new JavaScript models that run everywhere Android and iOS.
 examples include

1. http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_7gravity/ejss_model_gravity08/gravity08_Simulation.xhtml
2. http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_7gravity/ejss_model_gravity08_1/gravity08_1_Simulation.xhtml
3. http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_7gravity/ejss_model_gravity08_2/gravity08_2_Simulation.xhtml
4. http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_7gravity/ejss_model_gravity10/gravity10_Simulation.xhtml
5. http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_7gravity/ejss_model_gravity11/gravity11_Simulation.xhtml

The remaining time will be for personalized consultation and discussion to improve their design ideas and implement them into their own models.

Add list of things raised and how to overcome they,

1. see this for array using [i] https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44365627/lookangEJSworkspace/lookangejss/03thermalphysics_08kineticmodel/ejss_src_MolecularDynamicsJSPerformancewee.zip
2. Math.pow(x,y) for x^y
3. use brackets ( ) for mathematical function no [ ]
4. 3D Javascript seems to be problematic on Mac, use windows to compile 3D Javascript WebGL, see this https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44365627/lookangEJSworkspace/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_7gravity/ejss_src_gravity10.zip
5. use Fixed Relations for computation that is required after every time step dt
6. Library is setup for students' performance tasks http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/00workshopStudents/
   1. chee hsin yee sliding block model using dvx/dt =m*(-9.81)*Math.cos(theta)*Math.sin(theta) and dy/dt =m*(-9.81)*(1-Math.cos(theta)*Math.cos(theta)). I also have another model for your referencing if you are interested to see how i do http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/02_newtonianmechanics_3dynamics/ejss_model_frictionprimary/frictionprimary_Simulation.xhtml

Mentoring by weelookang@gmail.com and dave@hci.edu.sg
email me your source files for inputs

 

Day 3

Day 3, Final fine tuning of the model created/customised and each participant or pair will present their models created with the design ideas implemented and discuss how the model is to be use in classrooms to promote student better understanding of the concepts they have design to address. All students’ created/remixed models will be shared on the Singapore Digital Library http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/  for the benefit of all.

mentoring by dave@hci.edu.sg
mail me your source files weelookang@gmail.com to include your work on the library

Frequently Asked Questions about Computational Modeling with Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EjsS) and Open Source Physics (OSP)

1. What is the main goal of the Computational Modeling workshop using EjsS and OSP? The primary aim of the workshop is to provide participants with a hands-on introduction to EjsS and OSP, enabling them to create and customize their own interactive simulations. It focuses on empowering students to deepen their learning in science, mathematics, and other disciplines by designing and utilizing computational models. The goal is to create shareable simulations that can enhance understanding of complex concepts by themselves and others.
2. Who is the target audience for this workshop, and what prerequisites are recommended? The workshop is open to all Gifted and Talented Education (GATE) program students, indicating a focus on students with a keen interest in advanced learning. A "strong interest" in computational modeling, science, and math is the primary prerequisite, suggesting the workshop doesn't require extensive prior programming knowledge.
3. What is Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EjsS), and how is it used in this workshop? EjsS is a modeling and authoring tool that allows users to create interactive simulations. In the workshop, participants use EjsS to build models from scratch, modifying existing models, and customizing them for educational purposes. The emphasis is on using these simulations to explore physics concepts, create teaching tools, and share their work with others, leveraging the benefits of JavaScript to allow the models to run on multiple platforms.
4. What specific physics concepts do participants model and explore during the workshop? The workshop covers fundamental physics concepts such as constant motion, free fall, projectile motion, and gravity. Additionally, participants customize and create simulations on topics that they find particularly challenging, encouraging a deeper understanding by exploring them in a personalized manner. Participants are also exposed to models illustrating concepts like frictional forces, energy transfer, wave interference, and electromagnetism.
5. What is the structure of a typical EjsS simulation, according to the workshop? EjsS simulations are built around multiple pages that define different aspects of the model, including:

• Variables: Declaration of the parameters for the model
• Initialization: Setting initial values or codes for the simulation, often with dropdown menus for options.
• Evolution: Rules that dictate how the model changes with time
• Fixed Relations: Formulas used after each time step, like kinetic energy
• Custom Functions: Reusable code for specific computations.
• HTML View: The visual representation of the simulation including layouts, interactive elements, and equation-driven motion.

1. How do participants share and use their created simulations? Participants package their simulations into zipped files. These simulations are then shared on the Singapore Digital Library (http://iwant2study.org/lookangejss/), making them accessible for use by other students and teachers. The goal is to create resources that promote a deeper understanding of concepts to be shared across the community.
2. What kind of support and mentorship do participants receive? Participants receive mentorship from the workshop leaders, who provide guidance on design ideas, technical aspects of using EjsS, and personalized consultation to refine their models. They also provide support to convert existing EJS Java models into the new JavaScript models that work everywhere on different devices. Furthermore, the mentors provide help in implementing specific techniques, such as arrays, mathematical functions, and 3D visualization.
3. What is the overall pedagogical philosophy behind this workshop? The workshop promotes an inquiry-based learning approach where students are empowered to take ownership of their learning. By creating simulations on concepts they find challenging, students enhance their critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills while working to better understand the chosen topics. The sharing of their simulations through the digital library fosters a collaborative learning environment. The program encourages the use of technology for active learning and creating engaging instructional materials.