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

Date: October 26, 2023 (Based on the current year and the information that the content is from a 2014 event, it is safe to assume the document still reflects contemporary values and activities)

Subject: Review of Public Lectures and Resources on Physics Simulations

Source: Excerpts from "20141128 Public Lectures by Prof Francisco Esquembre and Wolfgang Christian @NIE LT12 - Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore"

Overview:

This document reviews a collection of resources centered around the use of interactive physics simulations for education. The primary event highlighted is a set of public lectures by Professor Francisco Esquembre and Wolfgang Christian in 2014. These lectures focused on the use of Easy Java(script) Simulations (EJS) and Open Source Physics (OSP) tools for creating and utilizing these simulations. The website also serves as a repository for numerous examples of these simulations and resources. The overall theme revolves around leveraging technology, specifically simulations, to enhance physics education at various levels.

Key Themes and Ideas:

1. Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Source Physics (OSP):

• The core philosophy is based on using open resources and tools to democratize access to quality educational materials.
• The website itself is a collection of OER, with content licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License.
• The emphasis is on providing free, reusable, and adaptable resources for teachers and students.
• The lectures and resources are linked to larger projects like the US-NSF sponsored comPADRE digital library.

1. Easy Java(script) Simulations (EJS):

• EJS is a primary tool highlighted for creating interactive physics simulations.
• The tool allows instructors to build simulations that can run on various platforms, including computers and mobile devices.
• The lectures specifically mention "Using Easy Java(script) Simulations to create Physics simulations for teaching with tablets," highlighting mobile compatibility.
• EJS simulations can be used for "illustrating physic concepts during in-lecture demonstrations, or to promote thinking-provoking student activities."
• A "Reader App" is mentioned, that runs on Android and iOS tablets to help teachers and students collect and organize their simulations.
• There is a strong focus on EJS's ease of use for teachers, allowing them to create custom content.
• The "Exploring Interactive Nets and 3D Visualization with the New EJS Simulation 🌟🔦🎨" resource notes further development and application of the tool.

1. Computational Physics and Modeling:

• The resources advocate for teaching physics through modeling.
• Students are not only expected to learn physics concepts, but also develop computational thinking skills through programming and simulation work.
• The OSP project promotes learning "to program, students are required to write and communicate, to develop their graphical design skills, and to apply mathematical reasoning to complex problems."
• The idea is to deepen understanding of physics principles through active engagement with the simulations.
• "Students are required to write and communicate, to develop their graphical design skills, and to apply mathematical reasoning to complex problems."

1. Interactive and Engaging Learning:

• Simulations are presented as a way to make physics more engaging and interactive for students.
• The variety of simulations listed range from basic mechanics to complex concepts like waves and nuclear decay.
• The inclusion of the Tracker video analysis software as a tool expands the idea from simulations to also include modeling from real-world video.
• The materials also feature games, such as the "WebEJS workshop 21CC Navigator Gem Matching Game," to engage students.
• The materials are designed for active learning environments, with the focus on using the materials to promote discussions and activities, and not passive rote memorization.

1. Curricular Integration:

• The materials are intended to support both introductory and advanced physics courses.
• There are many specific resources designed for a wide range of applications, including interactive math, and chemistry lessons.
• The workshops mentioned were specifically aimed at Singaporean physics teachers in secondary and JC levels.
• The examples on the site can be used for primary school science inquiry.
• The initiative was funded by National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore, indicating a strong push for this methodology within the Singaporean educational context.

1. Accessibility and Platform Independence:

• The emphasis on HTML5+Javascript enabled devices allows simulations to run on a variety of computers and mobile devices.
• This approach ensures the widest possible availability of the learning resources.
• The website is a central hub for finding all the resources, making it easy to find the materials.

Key Facts:

• Lecturers: Professor Francisco Esquembre (University of Murcia, Spain) and Wolfgang Christian (Davidson College, USA)
• Funding: The public lectures and associated workshops were funded by NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 Java Simulations for Teaching and Learning eduLab Programme project, an MOE-NIE initiative.
• Tools: Easy Java(script) Simulations (EJS) and Open Source Physics (OSP) are the main tools used.
• Target Audience: Primarily physics teachers at secondary and JC levels, but with materials suitable for primary school students as well.
• Digital Library: The resources connect to the comPADRE National Science Digital Library.
• Workshop Details: 4-day EJS workshops were held at the Academy of Singapore Teachers for local physics educators.
• Licensing: The content is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License.

Notable Quotes:

• "We have extended the successful Easy Java Simulations (EJS) authoring tool <www.um.es/fem/EjsWiki> to help Physics instructors create simulation of Physics phenomena that run on a variety of platforms."
• "Over the past dozen years the Physlet and Open Source Physics (OSP) projects have produced some of the most widely used computer-based curricular materials for the teaching of introductory and advanced physics courses."
• "We will demonstrate how physics can be taught by modeling, and how this approach helps to deepen the understanding of the underlying physical principles while supporting computational thinking."
• "designed to surface and spread ground-up IDM-enriched pedagogical innovations."
• "These simulations can be used for illustrating physic concepts during in-lecture demonstrations, or to promote thinking-provoking student activities."

Conclusion:

This collection of resources promotes the use of open source interactive simulations as a critical component of modern physics education. The emphasis on authoring tools like EJS allows teachers to create customized learning experiences. These simulations are designed to move beyond rote memorization and focus on deeper understanding of physics principles and also developing key computational thinking skills for students through an active and engaging learning experience. The work by Professors Esquembre and Christian, and the initiatives funded by the NRF in Singapore, point to a global trend towards integrating technology and open resources for more effective science education.

Interactive Physics Simulations Study Guide

Quiz

Instructions: Answer the following questions in 2-3 sentences each.

1. What are the two main software tools discussed in the lectures for creating physics simulations?
2. What does "HTML5+Javascript enabled device" refer to, and why is it important for simulation accessibility?
3. Besides programming, what other skills do the OSP projects emphasize for students?
4. What is the comPADRE digital library, and what is its significance for physics education?
5. How do the lectures suggest that simulations can be used in the classroom? Give two specific examples.
6. What is the role of the Reader App mentioned in relation to simulations?
7. What is the main goal of the NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 project in Singapore?
8. What are Physlets and how do they relate to the Open Source Physics (OSP) projects?
9. What type of teaching approach is described as "teaching by modeling" in the lectures?
10. What specific types of institutions are the EJS workshops primarily aimed towards in Singapore?

Answer Key

1. The two main software tools discussed are Easy Java(script) Simulations (EJS) and Open Source Physics (OSP). EJS allows instructors to create simulations and OSP provides ready made materials for teaching.
2. An "HTML5+Javascript enabled device" refers to any device like computers, tablets, or smartphones that can run web browsers that support these technologies. This allows simulations to be accessible across many different platforms without needing specific software.
3. Beyond programming, the OSP projects also emphasize skills such as writing, communication, graphical design, and applying mathematical reasoning. They strive for a holistic approach to learning.
4. The comPADRE digital library is a collection of online resources, specifically simulations, for physics teaching and learning. It acts as a central hub for educators to find and use various simulations.
5. Simulations can be used for illustrating physics concepts during in-lecture demonstrations, or for promoting thinking-provoking student activities where students actively engage with the material. These methods aim to increase understanding.
6. The Reader App is designed for use on Android and iOS tablets and it helps teachers and students collect and organize their simulations. The app also provides an online connection to the comPADRE digital library.
7. The NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 project aims to develop and distribute pedagogical innovations enriched with information and communication technology, specifically around simulations for physics. It serves to support ground-up advancements in education.
8. Physlets are Java applets that form the basis of many computer-based curricular materials developed by the Physlet and OSP projects. They can be included in coursework and are readily available for educational use.
9. "Teaching by modeling" refers to an approach that focuses on teaching physical concepts by creating and using simulations of real-world phenomena. This allows students to observe and interact with models.
10. The EJS workshops in Singapore are primarily intended for Singaporean teachers, preferably those who teach physics at the secondary and junior college level. The workshops hope to equip these teachers with the skills to use simulations in their classes.

Essay Questions

Instructions: Answer the following questions in essay format.

1. Discuss the advantages of using simulation-based learning in physics education compared to traditional teaching methods. Refer to specific examples from the source material.
2. Explain how the Easy Java Simulations (EJS) authoring tool and the Open Source Physics (OSP) project complement each other in supporting physics education.
3. Analyze the role of technology, particularly simulations and online resources, in promoting student engagement and deeper understanding of physics concepts.
4. Evaluate the impact of open educational resources (OER) and the sharing of materials like those in the comPADRE library on the accessibility and quality of physics education.
5. Considering the range of simulation models mentioned in the source material, discuss how such simulations can be used to scaffold student learning and enhance their computational thinking abilities.

Glossary of Key Terms

Easy Java Simulations (EJS): An authoring tool that enables educators to create interactive simulations of physics phenomena that can run on various platforms.

Open Source Physics (OSP): A project that develops and shares computer-based curricular materials for teaching physics. These resources emphasize student learning through modeling and computational thinking.

Physlets: Java applets used by OSP for creating interactive simulations and educational content.

comPADRE: A digital library that hosts a wide variety of simulations and other resources for physics education, sponsored by the US National Science Foundation.

HTML5+Javascript: Web technologies that enable simulations to run on a wide range of devices including computers, tablets, and mobile phones, without needing specific software.

Reader App: An application for Android and iOS tablets that enables teachers and students to organize and access their physics simulations as well as to connect to the comPADRE library.

NRF2011-EDU001-EL001: A project funded by the National Research Foundation (NRF), Singapore that focuses on developing and distributing simulation based pedagogical innovations.

Teaching by Modeling: A teaching approach where students learn physics by creating and using simulations to explore and analyze physics phenomena, allowing for interactive engagement with concepts.

Open Educational Resources (OER): Educational materials that are freely available for anyone to use and adapt, often shared through digital libraries like comPADRE.

Computational Physics: The interdisciplinary field that uses computers to solve problems in physics, often involving simulation and numerical methods.