http://www.dudamath.com/action.html

Awesome math tool

Briefing Document: DuDaMath - Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore

1. Overview:

The webpage is a repository for open educational resources (OER) focusing primarily on physics and mathematics, developed and shared within the Singaporean education system. The site showcases a vast collection of interactive simulations, applets, and tools designed for teaching and learning, with an emphasis on using technology to enhance conceptual understanding. It highlights a strong commitment to open-source principles and collaborative development. The site is hosted under a Creative Commons license, making the resources openly available for use and adaptation by educators and learners. The page also demonstrates a history of workshops, conferences and training sessions showcasing the active engagement of the team with educators in Singapore and beyond.

2. Key Themes and Ideas:

• Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Source Physics (OSP): The core theme is the promotion of OER and OSP in education, particularly in physics and mathematics. This is evident in the website title and the numerous resources offered. The site aims to provide freely available materials for educators to use, modify, and share to enhance their teaching.
• Interactive Simulations and Applets: A significant focus is on the use of interactive simulations and applets, primarily built using JavaScript and HTML5. These tools cover a wide range of physics and math topics, allowing students to explore concepts through virtual experiments and visualizations. This is exemplified by the long list of resources, including:
• "Bar Magnet Field Line Simulator"
• "Three State Radioactive Decay JavaScript Model Simulation"
• "Energy Pendulum Model with Modeling"
• "Secondary Kinematics or Moving Car 1D JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model"
• Technology-Enhanced Learning: The site emphasizes the use of technology to make learning more engaging, interactive, and effective. Tools like "Tracker" for video analysis, Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EJS/EJSS) for creating simulations, and various applets demonstrate a commitment to integrating technology into the educational process.
• Active and Inquiry-Based Learning: The resources often aim to encourage active and inquiry-based learning approaches, empowering students to investigate concepts and develop their understanding. This includes features such as video analysis of real-world phenomena and simulations where students can adjust parameters to see the effect. Several projects and workshops use a "Physics by Inquiry" approach.
• Modelling and Visualization: The website emphasizes the use of modeling and visualization in education. Many of the simulations are designed to allow students to see the underlying models of concepts. This theme is exemplified by a workshop entitled "MODELLING WITH SIMULATIONS_WORK ENERGY POWER".
• Cross-Disciplinary Applications: While the primary focus is on physics, there is an effort to integrate math concepts into simulations. There are also simulation-based lessons designed to enhance metacognition in Mathematics, broadening the scope of use for these tools.
• Teacher Professional Development: The site documents a long history of workshops and training sessions for teachers. This demonstrates a significant effort to support educators in using these OER tools effectively in the classroom. Examples include:
• "20110707 Blended Learning Workshop @NJC 2011 July 07"
• "20120314 Tracker sharing by tat leong"
• "20170123 TRAISI 41190 workshop 2017 ICT Learning Experiences for Teaching Kinematics eduLab@AST"
• Research and Innovation: The projects and awards listed on the site indicate that the work is grounded in research and committed to innovation in educational technology. Examples include:
• "NRF2013-EDU001-EL017 Becoming Scientists through Video Analysis"
• "NRF2015-EDU001-EL021 Modelling-Inquiry Enabled Interactive Textbook"
• "2015-6 UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education"
• "Ministry of Education Outstanding Innovator Award 2013"
• Collaborative Effort: The numerous workshops and named authors suggest a collaborative effort between educators, researchers, and technology specialists to develop and share resources. There are also mentions of collaborations with Prof Francisco Esquembre and Wolfgang Christian, and Prof Fu-Kwun Hwang, demonstrating connections to international experts in the field.
• Adaptability and Customizability: The site also highlights ways in which users can "Re Create or Convert EJS to EJSS" suggesting a focus on customizability for the resources to meet specific needs and contexts.

3. Important Facts:

• Platform: The platform uses HTML5 and Javascript for most interactive simulations which make them easily accessible on different devices, including tablets and smartphones. This supports accessibility and mobile learning.
• Content Scope: The resources cover a broad spectrum of physics topics, from Newtonian mechanics and oscillations to electromagnetism, quantum physics, and more. There is also a strong presence of Mathematics tools.
• Software Used: The website heavily leverages Easy Java Simulations (EJS) and its successor, Easy JavaScript Simulations (EJSS), for creating simulations. Tracker is also used extensively for video analysis.
• Educational Level: The resources target a range of educational levels, from primary school to secondary and junior college (high school) levels. This is evident in the labels like "Primary" and "Secondary" appearing frequently.
• Creative Commons Licensing: The content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, allowing for broad use and adaptation. However, commercial use of the underlying EasyJavaScriptSimulations library requires contacting the developers.
• Significant Impact: The platform has garnered numerous awards, indicating its impact and value in the educational community in Singapore and beyond.

4. Representative Quotes:

• "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" - This reflects the core philosophy of the site.
• "Becoming Scientists through Video Analysis" - Shows a focus on using technology for experiential learning.
• "Modelling-Inquiry Enabled Interactive Textbook" - Highlights the focus on modeling for inquiry-based learning.
• "Open Source Physics at Singapore Ministry of Education GOLD Innergy Award 2016 HQ" - Demonstrates recognition of the platform's value.
• "Use of Video Tracker to Teach Circular Motion and Simple Harmonic Motion" - Explains how specific technologies are being used in physics education.

5. Conclusion:

The "DuDaMath - Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" website is a valuable resource for educators seeking to integrate technology into their teaching of physics and mathematics. The website not only makes available a wide range of simulations, but also shows a dedication to fostering a community of practice, sharing resources, and promoting innovation in education. The strong emphasis on OER, OSP, active learning, and teacher professional development demonstrates a commitment to improving the quality and accessibility of science education. The site's focus on research and innovation suggests that it will continue to evolve and provide valuable resources for the educational community.

Frequently Asked Questions about DuDaMath and Open Source Physics Resources

• What is DuDaMath and its connection to Open Source Physics in Singapore? DuDaMath is an online platform offering mathematical tools, resources, and interactive simulations. It is closely linked to the Open Educational Resources/Open Source Physics (OER/OSP) initiative in Singapore. This initiative aims to provide freely accessible, adaptable educational materials, particularly in physics, leveraging tools like Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EJS/EJSS). DuDaMath and OER/OSP support learning in STEM subjects through simulations, applets, and modeling tools.
• What types of resources are available on the Open Source Physics @ Singapore platform? The platform features a wide array of interactive simulations, applets, and modeling tools covering diverse physics and mathematics topics. These include Newtonian mechanics, oscillations, electromagnetism, optics, thermodynamics, and mathematics. Specific resources range from simulations of falling objects and projectile motion to complex models like radioactive decay, wave superposition, and 3D visualization of various physical systems. There are also primary school level resources available.
• What is the role of Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EJS/EJSS) in these resources? Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EJS/EJSS) is a primary tool used to create the interactive simulations available on the platform. These tools facilitate the development of customisable models and visualizations that allow students to explore scientific concepts interactively. EJS and EJSS enable educators and students to design and modify simulations without requiring advanced programming skills, making modeling and simulation a more accessible educational activity.
• How are these resources used in education? The resources are used to enhance teaching and learning across various educational levels. These include teacher training workshops, direct student learning in classrooms, and independent study. The simulations and interactive tools provide visual and engaging learning experiences, enabling students to explore concepts in a hands-on manner. They are used both in face-to-face classroom settings and in blended learning environments. The emphasis on inquiry-based learning encourages students to "become scientists through video analysis" as stated in the description of some initiatives.
• What are some specific examples of tools or simulations available on the platform? The platform provides many specific tools and simulations including:
• Tracker video analysis tool used to investigate motion.
• Simulations of various physics phenomena (e.g., pendulum motion, circular motion, projectile motion, electromagnetic fields).
• Interactive games for recycling and for mathematics.
• 3D models of physical objects such as DC motors, AC generators, and geometric shapes.
• Primary mathematics applets for learning numbers and shapes.
• Simulations of atomic models and radioactive decay.
• Are these resources freely available and can they be adapted for personal use? Yes, most resources are licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, allowing users to freely use, modify, and share the materials for non-commercial purposes, as long as proper attribution is given and derivatives are shared alike. This promotes sharing and building on educational materials. For commercial use of EJS, a separate license must be sought.
• What kind of recognition and awards has the OER/OSP project received? The project has received several awards for its contributions to education and innovation, including:
• UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education (2015-6)
• Public Service 21 Distinguished Star Service Award (2014)
• Ministry of Education Outstanding Innovator Award (2013)
• Ministry of Education Service Excellence Award (2012)
• Innergy Award Gold (2012) for "Gravity Physics by Inquiry"
• How does the platform support teacher professional development? The platform plays a significant role in teacher professional development by conducting workshops for teachers on using simulation tools such as Tracker and Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations. The workshops help teachers integrate these resources into their teaching effectively. The platform has a robust schedule of teacher training workshops to enable educators to leverage interactive resources effectively in their classrooms.