Executive Summary:

The website cosci.tw, linked to Professor Chen-Chung Liu and collaborating with the Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJSS) project, serves as a repository and platform for a vast array of web-based, interactive educational resources, primarily simulations and games. Hosted in Singapore and connected to the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics (OER/OSP) community, the site focuses on providing free and accessible learning tools, often utilizing HTML5 and JavaScript. The content spans various subjects, including physics, chemistry, mathematics, and even language learning, targeting a wide range of educational levels from primary to tertiary. A significant portion of the resources appears to be developed through hackathons and collaborations, particularly within the Singaporean educational context, such as the Student Learning Space (SLS). The platform champions open educational practices and encourages sharing and collaboration.

Main Themes and Important Ideas/Facts:

1. Web-Based Interactive Simulations and Games: The core of cosci.tw lies in its collection of interactive simulations and games designed for educational purposes. These resources are primarily web-based, utilizing technologies like JavaScript and HTML5, making them accessible through browsers without the need for specific software installations. The list of featured files under the "Web-cloud Based" section provides a clear illustration of this:

• Examples include "Optics Bench JS," "A Level Chemical Bonding Dot and Cross Diagrams JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5," "Eight point compass Interactive For Primary 4 Math Coordinates Literacy HTML5 Applet," and numerous others covering science, mathematics, and language.

1. Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Source Physics (OSP): The site explicitly identifies itself as "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore." This highlights its commitment to providing freely available educational materials. The collaboration with Professor Chen-Chung Liu, who is interested in EJSS and cosci.tw, aims to facilitate the sharing of source codes, aligning with open source principles:

• "Professor Chen-Chung Liu who is interested to collaborate on EJSS and http://cosci.tw/, making it possible to share source codes that can be read into http://cosci.tw/."
• The site explicitly mentions "Open Source Physics by Wolfgang Christian," indicating a connection to this established OSP initiative.

1. Collaboration with Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJSS): The platform has a direct link to EJSS, a toolkit for creating simulations. The stated intention is to strengthen the network among members of the "EJSS family of related projects," suggesting a community-driven approach to the development and sharing of these interactive tools.

• "We definitely welcome such collaboration and hope to strengthen network among members of the EJSS family of related projects. Exciting times!!"
• A direct link is provided: "Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations Toolkit https://www.um.es/fem/EjsWiki/ by Francisco Esquembre and Félix Jesús Garcia Clemente."

1. Broad Range of Subject Areas and Educational Levels: The simulations and games cover a diverse range of subjects, including:

• Science: Physics (optics, waves, mechanics, electromagnetism, thermodynamics), Chemistry (chemical bonding, balancing equations, electrolysis), Biology (food webs, life cycles).
• Mathematics: Geometry (area, perimeter, tangrams), algebra (solving equations), calculus (derivatives, integrals, series), statistics (mean, median, mode), number theory (prime numbers, GCD).
• Language Learning: English (grammar, vocabulary, alliteration, similes, metaphors), Malay (vocabulary, sentence structure), Chinese (vocabulary).
• The resources appear to target various educational levels, from primary ("Primary 4 Math Coordinates Literacy") and lower secondary ("Separation Techniques Lower Secondary Science") to A-Level ("A Level Chemical Bonding") and even potentially tertiary level ("PICUP" exercises often used in university physics).

1. Integration with the Singaporean Education System (SLS): A significant theme is the apparent integration of these resources with the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) platform. Numerous entries mention "SLS Hackathon" projects, indicating that educators and students in Singapore are actively developing and utilizing these tools within their national learning platform.

• Examples include "SLS Hackathon by Yumin Primary on Heat Gain by 3 Materials," "SLS Hackathon by Maria Stella Primary on Cloze Passage JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5," and many more across different subjects and levels.
• There are also mentions of workshops and meetups related to SLS and educational technology ("20180117 11th IPSG and how to make SLS lessons more inquiry-based?," "20190523 SLS Hackathon 2019 HQ Training Session #2").

1. Focus on Interactive Learning and Engagement: The use of simulations and games emphasizes active learning and engagement. Many titles suggest interactive activities, such as "Shoot the simile and metaphor dragons," "Can you Unlock Escape Room JavaScript Simulation Applet HTML5," and various "Catch Correct..." games. This gamified approach aims to make learning more enjoyable and effective.
2. Teacher and Student Contributions through Hackathons: The numerous "SLS Hackathon" entries suggest a model where teachers and students are empowered to create their own educational resources using the available tools and platforms. This fosters a community of practice and allows for the development of resources tailored to specific learning needs.
3. Recognition and Awards: The site mentions achievements such as the "2020 Excellence in Physics Education Award from American Physical Society goes to Open Source Physics Team" and local awards like the "Platinum and Gold MOE Service Excellence Award (MSEA) 2017" and "Innergy Award" submissions. This indicates the quality and impact of the work being done within this community.
4. Licensing: The content is licensed under the "Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License," promoting the free use and adaptation of the materials, provided attribution is given and derivative works are shared under a similar license. However, commercial use of the EJSS library requires a separate license obtained from the University of Murcia.

Potential Areas for Further Exploration:

• The specific nature of the collaboration with Professor Chen-Chung Liu and the NCU LTLab.
• The impact and effectiveness of these resources within the Singaporean education system.
• The processes and outcomes of the SLS Hackathons.
• The level of community engagement and contribution beyond organized events like hackathons.
• The usage statistics and user feedback on the various simulations and games.

Conclusion:

cosci.tw represents a valuable collection of open educational resources, primarily interactive simulations and games, with a strong focus on science, mathematics, and language learning. Its close ties to the EJSS project and its integration within the Singaporean educational landscape, particularly through the SLS platform and hackathon initiatives, highlight a dynamic and collaborative approach to creating and sharing educational tools. The platform's commitment to open access and its diverse range of resources make it a potentially significant asset for educators and learners worldwide.

Study Guide: cosci.tw and Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore

Overview

This study guide is designed to help you review the content of the provided source material, which focuses on the cosci.tw website and the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project. The material highlights a collection of web-based interactive simulations and resources for education, particularly in STEM fields, utilizing tools like Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJSS).

Key Concepts

• Open Educational Resources (OER): Freely accessible and openly licensed learning materials that can be used, adapted, and shared.
• Open Source Physics (OSP): A project focused on creating and disseminating computational tools and resources for physics education, often utilizing open-source software.
• Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJSS): A toolkit that allows for the creation of interactive simulations using JavaScript.
• cosci.tw: A web platform hosting a collection of EJSS-based interactive simulations and resources, often related to science and mathematics education.
• Interactive Simulations: Computer programs that allow users to manipulate variables and observe the resulting changes in a visual or dynamic representation of a system or concept.
• HTML5 Applets: Web applications built using HTML5, CSS, and JavaScript, capable of running in modern web browsers without the need for plugins.
• Collaborative Development: The process of multiple individuals or groups working together to create and improve resources.
• Educational Technology: The application of technology to facilitate and enhance learning.
• Gamification in Education: The use of game-design elements and game principles in non-game contexts, particularly in education, to increase engagement and motivation.

Quiz

Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

1. What is the primary focus of the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project, as indicated by the source?
2. Describe the main functionality and purpose of the cosci.tw website based on the provided information.
3. What is Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJSS), and what role does it play in the resources mentioned in the source?
4. Give two examples of the types of interactive simulations available on the cosci.tw platform.
5. What does the source material suggest about collaboration regarding EJSS and cosci.tw?
6. How does the source indicate the accessibility and usability of the resources hosted on cosci.tw?
7. Based on the tags listed at the end of the excerpt, what are some of the popular subject areas covered by these resources?
8. What do the various "SLS Hackathon" entries suggest about the development and application of these interactive resources?
9. What do the awards mentioned (e.g., Excellence in Physics Education Award) signify about the Open Source Physics project?
10. How are the licensing terms for the content on cosci.tw described in the source material?

Quiz Answer Key

1. The Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore project focuses on creating and sharing freely accessible computational tools and resources for physics education. This often involves the use of open-source software and aims to enhance learning through interactive experiences.
2. cosci.tw is a web-based platform that hosts a collection of interactive JavaScript simulations and other educational resources. It serves as a space for sharing source codes and providing learners with dynamic tools for exploring various concepts, primarily in STEM fields.
3. Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJSS) is a toolkit that enables the creation of interactive simulations using the JavaScript programming language. It is the underlying technology for many of the simulations found on cosci.tw, making complex concepts visually and interactively accessible.
4. Examples of interactive simulations available on cosci.tw include the "Optics Bench JS" for exploring optics principles and the "Balancing Chemistry Equation" applet for practicing stoichiometry. There are also numerous game-based simulations for subjects like mathematics and language learning.
5. The source explicitly welcomes collaboration on EJSS and cosci.tw, indicating an interest in expanding the network of contributors and strengthening related projects. This suggests a community-driven approach to developing and sharing educational resources.
6. The resources on cosci.tw are primarily web-based and utilize HTML5 and JavaScript, indicating they are designed to be accessible through modern web browsers without requiring additional software. The numerous examples suggest a wide range of topics and educational levels are covered.
7. Based on the popular tags, some of the key subject areas covered by the resources include Physics, Mathematics (especially related to learning and teaching with simulations), Chemistry, Biology, and even English Language. There is also a focus on topics relevant to primary and secondary education in Singapore.
8. The numerous "SLS Hackathon" entries demonstrate the active development and application of these interactive resources in educational settings, particularly within the Singapore Student Learning Space (SLS) initiative. These events likely involve educators and developers creating new interactive tools for teaching and learning.
9. The recognition received by the Open Source Physics team, such as the 2020 Excellence in Physics Education Award from the American Physical Society, highlights the significant impact and quality of their contributions to physics education through the development and dissemination of open educational resources.
10. The content on cosci.tw is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, meaning it can be shared and adapted as long as attribution is given and any derivative works are also shared under a similar license. Commercial use of the underlying EJSS library has separate licensing terms.

Essay Format Questions

1. Discuss the significance of open educational resources like those found on cosci.tw in contemporary education. How do they contribute to accessibility, collaboration, and innovation in teaching and learning, particularly in STEM fields?
2. Analyze the role of interactive simulations, such as those created with EJSS and hosted on cosci.tw, in enhancing student engagement and understanding of complex concepts in science and mathematics. Provide specific examples from the listed resources to support your arguments.
3. Examine the collaborative aspect of projects like Open Source Physics and the welcoming of collaboration on cosci.tw. How does this collaborative model benefit the development and dissemination of educational technology and resources?
4. Based on the variety of resources available on cosci.tw (ranging from science simulations to language games), discuss the potential of such platforms to support interdisciplinary learning and cater to diverse educational needs and subjects.
5. Evaluate the impact of initiatives like the SLS Hackathon on the creation and adoption of interactive educational resources. How do these events foster innovation and address the specific needs of educators and students in a particular educational context?

Glossary of Key Terms

• Applet: A small application, often written in Java but in this context also referring to web applications built with HTML5 and JavaScript, that can run within another application, typically a web browser.
• Attribution: Acknowledging the original author or source of a work when using or sharing it, a key requirement of many open licenses.
• Collaboration: The process of working jointly with others on a common project or task.
• Computational Model: A computer program that simulates a real-world system or phenomenon, allowing users to explore its behavior under different conditions.
• Creative Commons License: A set of public copyright licenses that allow creators to share their work while retaining some rights. The Attribution-Share Alike license requires attribution and that derivative works are shared under a similar license.
• HTML5: The latest evolution of the standard that defines the structure of web pages, enabling richer multimedia experiences without the need for plugins.
• Interactive Content: Digital material that allows users to actively engage and manipulate elements, receiving immediate feedback.
• JavaScript: A widely used programming language primarily used to add interactivity to web pages.
• Open License: A type of license that grants permissions for the public to use, share, and sometimes modify a creative work.
• Open Source Software: Software with source code that is freely available and can be modified and distributed by anyone.
• Simulation: The use of a model to imitate the behavior of a real-world system or process over time.
• Source Code: The underlying programming instructions of a software program

 Web Based Easy JavaScript Simulation

Professor Chen-Chung Liu who is interested to collaborate on EJSS and http://cosci.tw/, making it possible to share source codes that can be read into http://cosci.tw/.

http://weelookang.blogspot.com/2017/06/co-sci-is-free-learning-platform.html

 https://weelookang.blogspot.com/2020/01/web-based-easy-javascript-simulation.html

1. Web-cloud Based 

   https://cosci.tw/dev/#loadFeaturedFiles