Moodle Plugin EjsS Learning Analytics https://github.com/felixgarcia/ejss-moodle-plugin Right Top corner on webpage select Download ZIP and save it to your computer say desktop for ease of finding it

Easy JavaScript Simulation Authoring tool EjsS_5.3_190423-beta.zip https://gitlab.com/ejsS/tool/blob/master/Release/EjsS_5.3_190423-beta.zip

Overview:

This document provides a briefing on the main themes and important ideas presented on the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" webpage. The page showcases a wide array of interactive resources, primarily focused on physics and mathematics education, leveraging open educational resources (OER) and open-source tools. A significant emphasis is placed on the development and integration of interactive simulations and learning analytics within the Moodle learning management system. The page also highlights participation in events like the GIREP-ICPE-EPEC-MPTL conference and the SLS (Student Learning Space) Hackathon.

Main Themes and Important Ideas:

1. Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Source Physics: The core principle of this initiative is the utilization and creation of OER, particularly in the domain of physics education. The name itself, "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore," clearly indicates this focus. The licensing information at the bottom of the page explicitly states that "Contents are licensed Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License," reinforcing the commitment to open sharing and adaptation of educational materials.
2. Interactive Simulations for Learning: A dominant theme is the development and use of interactive simulations, primarily built using JavaScript and HTML5. The extensive list of resources demonstrates a vast collection of simulations covering various topics in physics (mechanics, waves, electromagnetism, thermodynamics, etc.) and mathematics (algebra, calculus, geometry, etc.). These simulations are designed to provide students with engaging and visual ways to understand complex concepts. Examples include:

• "Decomposition of ... Vector along any 2 perpendicular axes Advance JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model"
• "Single Slit Diffraction Model HTML5"
• "Magnet Falling Through A Ring JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5"
• "Riemann Integral JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5"
• "Mandelbrot Set (Variable Power) JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5"

1. Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS) Authoring Tool: The page prominently features the "Easy JavaScript Simulation Authoring tool (EjsS)," indicating its importance in the creation of these interactive resources. A link to download the tool is provided: "Easy JavaScript Simulation Authoring tool EjsS_5.3_190423-beta.zip https://gitlab.com/ejsS/tool/blob/master/Release/EjsS_5.3_190423-beta.zip". This suggests a focus on empowering educators to create their own simulations without requiring extensive programming knowledge.
2. Integration with Moodle and Learning Analytics: A key project highlighted is the "Development of Learning Analytics-Moodle Extension for Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS) Virtual Laboratories." This is evidenced by the section titled "20190701-05 04 GIREP-ICPE-EPEC-MPTL Virtual Lab Learning Analytics-Moodle extension" and the mention of a prototype: "Prototype: https://iwant2study.org/moodle/my/Moodle Plugin EjsS Learning Analytics https://github.com/felixgarcia/ejss-moodle-plugin". The final report slides further elaborate on this development: "Final Report Slides https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/0B6Uop3OE_O32T0lSY0JtcXBZV2xVOHUwQVcwamU5SF9PY2lB/edit#slide=id.p6". This indicates an effort to track and analyze student interactions with the EjsS virtual labs within the Moodle environment, potentially to gain insights into learning processes and improve pedagogical approaches.
3. Participation in Educational Events: The page documents participation in various educational events, showcasing the dissemination and recognition of the work being done. The most prominent example is the "GIREP-ICPE-EPEC-MPTL Virtual Lab Learning Analytics-Moodle extension" event in July 2019, where a contribution titled "Development of Learning Analytics-Moodle Extension for Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS) Virtual Laboratories" was presented by a team including Felix J. Garcia Clemente and Loo Kang Wee. Other mentioned events include:

• "SLS Hackathon" with numerous projects listed, demonstrating the application of these tools in the Singapore Student Learning Space.
• "20180530-0601 International Conference on Teaching and Learning with Technology (iCTLT) 2018 Paper Open Source Physics at Singapore"
• "20180531-0601 International Conference on Teaching & Learning with Technology (iCTLT) 2018 booth on interactive simulations"

1. Student Learning Space (SLS) Integration: The numerous "SLS Hackathon" entries highlight a strong focus on developing resources that can be directly used within Singapore's Student Learning Space platform. These projects span various subjects and grade levels, indicating a broad applicability of the simulation tools. Examples include games and simulations for English language (Cloze Passage, Sentence Scrambler), mathematics (Vector Addition, Heat Transfer, Addition/Subtraction Games), and even H2 Computing (Bubble Sort).
2. Recognition and Awards: The mention of "National Day Awards Commendation Medal 2018" and "Platinum and Gold MOE Service Excellence Award (MSEA) 2017" suggests recognition of the efforts and contributions of the individuals or team behind this initiative within the Singaporean educational landscape.
3. Broad Range of Educational Topics: The sheer volume and diversity of the listed interactive resources indicate a commitment to supporting learning across a wide spectrum of topics in physics and mathematics, catering to different educational levels. The inclusion of resources for subjects beyond physics and mathematics (e.g., English Language, Economics, Chemistry) suggests a potential for broader application of the developed tools and methodologies.

Quotes from Original Sources:

• Regarding the learning analytics project: "Contribution title: Development of Learning Analytics-Moodle Extension for Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS) Virtual Laboratories" (This highlights the core focus of the presentation at the GIREP-ICPE-EPEC-MPTL conference).
• Regarding the open licensing: "Contents are licensed Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License" (This clearly states the OER nature of the content).
• Regarding the EjsS tool: "Easy JavaScript Simulation Authoring tool EjsS_5.3_190423-beta.zip https://gitlab.com/ejsS/tool/blob/master/Release/EjsS_5.3_190423-beta.zip" (This provides direct access to the key tool used for creating the simulations).

Conclusion:

The "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" webpage serves as a repository and showcase for a significant effort in developing and utilizing interactive simulations for education, primarily in physics and mathematics. The project emphasizes the use of open educational resources and the open-source EjsS authoring tool. A key development is the integration of these simulations with the Moodle LMS and the incorporation of learning analytics to enhance teaching and learning. The active participation in educational events and the development of resources for the SLS platform demonstrate a commitment to improving educational practices within Singapore and beyond through innovative and freely accessible tools. The breadth of the resources suggests a sustained and impactful contribution to the field of educational technology.

Study Guide: Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore

Overview of the Resource

This resource, hosted at the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" website, serves as a repository for interactive educational tools and materials, primarily focusing on physics and mathematics. It features a wide array of simulations, applets, and games developed using Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS) and other web technologies like HTML5. The site also documents workshops, hackathons, and presentations related to the development and use of these resources in educational settings, particularly within the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS).

Key Themes and Concepts

• Open Educational Resources (OER): The website explicitly identifies itself as a source of OER, implying that the materials are freely available for educational use, adaptation, and sharing under a Creative Commons license.
• Open Source Physics (OSP): The mention of OSP suggests a commitment to making the underlying code and tools accessible for modification and improvement by the educational community.
• Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS): This authoring tool is central to the development of many interactive simulations hosted on the site. Its ease of use allows educators to create and customize virtual laboratories and learning activities.
• Student Learning Space (SLS): The resource frequently references the SLS, indicating a strong connection to Singapore's national e-learning platform and a focus on providing tools that can be integrated into the SLS environment.
• Learning Analytics: The document mentions the "Development of Learning Analytics-Moodle Extension for Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS) Virtual Laboratories," highlighting an interest in tracking and analyzing student interactions with these resources to improve learning outcomes.
• Interactive Simulations: The core of the website consists of a vast collection of interactive simulations covering various topics in physics, mathematics, and even some chemistry and other subjects. These simulations offer students hands-on virtual experiences to enhance their understanding of abstract concepts.
• Hackathons and Workshops: The website documents events like the "SLS Hackathon," which encourage educators and developers to create new interactive learning resources. Workshops and meetups facilitate knowledge sharing and collaboration.
• HTML5 and JavaScript: The simulations are primarily developed using these web technologies, making them accessible through standard web browsers without the need for additional plugins.

Review Questions

Answer the following questions based on your understanding of the provided source material.

1. What does "Open Educational Resources" signify in the context of this website? Explain its implications for educators and learners.
2. What is Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS), and what role does it play in the resources offered on this website?
3. How does the website demonstrate a connection to Singapore's Student Learning Space (SLS)? Provide specific examples from the text.
4. What evidence suggests an interest in "Learning Analytics" related to the use of the interactive simulations?
5. Describe the general types of interactive resources available on the website. Provide a few examples of subject areas covered.
6. What is the purpose of events like the "SLS Hackathon" mentioned in the text?
7. What web technologies are commonly used to develop the interactive simulations featured on this website? Why are these technologies significant for accessibility?
8. The website's breadcrumbs indicate a path: "Home > Interactive Resources > English Language > SLS Hackathon by Maria Stella Primary on Cloze Passage JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5." What does this structure suggest about the organization of the website's content?
9. The resource mentions a "GIREP-ICPE-EPEC-MPTL Virtual Lab Learning Analytics-Moodle extension." What do you infer about the intended use and platform for this extension?
10. What does the licensing information at the bottom of the page indicate about the use and potential commercialization of the resources and the EjsS library?

Answer Key

1. "Open Educational Resources" signifies that the materials on this website are freely available for educational use. This means educators can access, use, adapt, and share these resources without cost, promoting wider access to learning materials.
2. Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS) is an authoring tool used to create many of the interactive simulations found on the website. It simplifies the process of developing virtual laboratories and learning activities, allowing educators with limited programming experience to create engaging content.
3. The website directly mentions "SLS Hackathon" multiple times, indicating events focused on creating resources for the SLS. Furthermore, the breadcrumb navigation includes examples of resources developed by schools (e.g., Maria Stella Primary) likely for use within the SLS.
4. The title "20190701-05 04 GIREP-ICPE-EPEC-MPTL Virtual Lab Learning Analytics-Moodle extension" and the mention of its development for EjsS virtual laboratories clearly suggest an effort to integrate learning analytics capabilities into these interactive tools to track and analyze student engagement and performance.
5. The website offers a wide variety of interactive simulations, applets, and games. These resources cover subjects such as physics (e.g., vector addition, kinematics, magnetism, waves), mathematics (e.g., calculus, algebra, geometry, statistics), and other areas like chemistry and economics.
6. Events like the "SLS Hackathon" are intended to encourage educators, developers, and students to collaboratively create innovative interactive learning resources, particularly for the Singapore Student Learning Space. These events foster creativity and the development of new pedagogical tools.
7. The interactive simulations are commonly developed using HTML5 and JavaScript. These web technologies are significant for accessibility because they allow the simulations to run directly in standard web browsers on various devices without requiring users to install additional plugins or software.
8. The breadcrumb structure suggests a hierarchical organization where "Home" is the top level, followed by "Interactive Resources." Within this category, resources are further organized by subject ("English Language") and then by specific projects or events ("SLS Hackathon") and finally the specific resource.
9. The mention of a "Moodle extension" implies that the learning analytics being developed for EjsS virtual labs are intended to be integrated with the Moodle learning management system. This would allow educators using Moodle to track student activity and performance within the EjsS simulations.
10. The Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License suggests that the content can be used, shared, and adapted as long as attribution is given and any derivative works are shared under a similar license. Separately, commercial use of the EasyJavaScriptSimulations Library requires reading a specific license and contacting the authors, indicating a distinction between the freely available content and the underlying development tool.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the significance of Open Educational Resources (OER) in the context of modern education, using the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" website as a case study. How does this platform exemplify the benefits and potential impact of OER?
2. Analyze the role of interactive simulations, particularly those developed with tools like EjsS, in enhancing student learning in science and mathematics. Based on the variety of resources available on the website, discuss the pedagogical advantages of using such tools.
3. Explore the connection between the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" website and the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS). How does this resource contribute to the goals and functionalities of the national e-learning platform?
4. Considering the mention of "Learning Analytics" and the development of a Moodle extension, discuss the potential of integrating learning analytics with interactive simulations to improve teaching and learning. What kinds of data could be collected and how might this data inform pedagogical practices?
5. Evaluate the collaborative and community-driven aspects evident on the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" website, such as the SLS Hackathons and the open-source nature of some tools. How do these collaborative efforts contribute to the development and dissemination of educational resources?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Open Educational Resources (OER): Educational materials and resources offered freely and openly for anyone to use, adapt, and share.
• Open Source Physics (OSP): An initiative focused on creating and disseminating freely available physics courseware, including simulations and computational tools, with open-source code.
• Easy JavaScript Simulation (EjsS): A free, open-source authoring tool that allows users with limited programming knowledge to create interactive simulations in Java and JavaScript.
• Student Learning Space (SLS): Singapore's national online learning platform that provides students with access to curriculum-aligned resources and collaborative tools.
• Learning Analytics: The measurement, collection, analysis, and reporting of data about learners and their contexts, for purposes of understanding and optimizing learning and the environments in which it occurs.
• Moodle: A popular open-source learning management system (LMS) used by educators to create and manage online courses and learning activities.
• HTML5: The latest evolution of the Hypertext Markup Language, which is a standard markup language used for creating web pages and web applications. It supports multimedia content without the need for plugins.
• JavaScript: A high-level, often just-in-time compiled programming language that is widely used to make web pages interactive.
• Applet: A small application, often written in Java, that runs within a web browser. (Note: HTML5 and JavaScript are increasingly replacing Java applets due to browser compatibility and security concerns.)
• Virtual Laboratory: An online interactive environment that simulates real-world laboratory experiments, allowing students to explore scientific concepts and conduct investigations remotely.
• Hackathon: An event, typically lasting several hours or days, in which people collaborate to rapidly prototype and develop software or other projects. In the educational context, hackathons can focus on creating new learning resources.
• Creative Commons License: A type of public copyright license that enables the free distribution of otherwise copyrighted work. The website mentions the "Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License," which requires attribution to the original author and that any derivative works be licensed under similar terms.

Proposal https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1yqfd01srM1x4bFuZbxRShkRMSHzLv47rxfrsozdSP8I/edit?usp=sharing  

Final Report Slides  https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/0B6Uop3OE_O32T0lSY0JtcXBZV2xVOHUwQVcwamU5SF9PY2lB/edit#slide=id.p6 

 Photo

reference

https://weelookang.blogspot.com/2019/07/girep-icpe-epec-mptl-2019-teaching.html