NRF2013-EDU001-EL017 invites 2 professors to Singapore

Briefing Document: Open Educational Resources and Open Source Physics Workshop in Singapore

Date: October 28, 2024 (Based on the last modified dates of the materials).

Subject: Review of materials from a workshop and public lectures on Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Source Physics (OSP) held in Singapore in 2015.

Overview:

This document summarizes information from a collection of materials related to a workshop and public lectures conducted in Singapore in October 2015. The events focused on introducing physics teachers to powerful open-source tools, specifically Tracker Video Analysis and Modeling Tool and Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EjsS). These tools aim to enhance physics education through video analysis, modeling, and interactive simulations. The workshop was a part of the eduLab Project "Becoming Scientists through Video Analysis," and was supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF), Ministry of Education (MOE), & National Institute of Education (NIE).

Key Themes and Concepts:

1. Open Educational Resources (OER): The event and the associated resources are firmly grounded in the philosophy of OER. The materials are freely available and licensed under a Creative Commons license, promoting sharing, adaptation, and reuse. As stated at the bottom of the page "Contents are licensed Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License."
2. Open Source Physics (OSP): The workshop highlighted the use of open-source software tools to engage students with physics concepts. OSP emphasizes using freely available software for teaching and learning. The page includes a disclaimer noting that “for commercial use of EasyJavaScriptSimulations Library, please read https://www.um.es/fem/EjsWiki/Main/EJSLicense and contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. directly.”
3. Hands-on Learning: The workshop was designed to be hands-on, with participants actively using Tracker and EjsS. The purpose of the workshop was “hands-on experience, designed for Singapore Teachers.” The use of practical sessions allowed teachers to directly experience the tools’ capabilities and potential for their classrooms.
4. Video Analysis with Tracker: A significant component of the workshop focused on using the Tracker software to analyze videos of real-world phenomena. This included using ready-to-use clips from the internet, allowing teachers to explore kinematics, dynamics, and other concepts through visual analysis. As stated in the materials, the workshop aimed to show participants “using Tracker to download ready-to-use video clips from the internet and practiced using Tracker and EjsS for teaching.”
5. Modeling with Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EjsS): The workshop also explored EjsS as an authoring and modeling tool. This would allow educators to create their own interactive simulations tailored to specific curriculum needs. In fact the materials state that the workshop aimed to help teachers “improve personal curriculum development objectives.”
6. Curriculum Integration: The workshop was tailored towards physics teachers, but noted that, “Mathematics and Chemistry teachers are welcome too,” indicating the wider applications for this type of hands on interactive teaching. It also aimed to improve personal curriculum development objectives, further showing that the aim was for teachers to implement these tools in their everyday teaching.
7. Focus on Accessibility and Reusability: The resources and software highlighted during the workshop are easily accessible and designed for re-use. The use of freely available tools and resources supports scalability and broader adoption across different educational settings.

Key Individuals:

• Professor Douglas Brown: Creator of the Tracker video analysis tool. Brown's extensive experience includes:
• Resource Editor for the ComPADRE OSP collection.
• Emeritus Professor of Physics at Cabrillo College.
• Extensive publication record related to video analysis in physics education.
• Professor Wolfgang Christian: Creator of the Open Source Physics project and Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations. Christian's background includes:
• Brown Professor of Physics at Davidson College.
• Recognized for contributions to computer use in undergraduate physics education.
• Author of several books on computational physics and interactive simulations.
• Local Facilitators: A number of Singapore-based educators were involved, including:
• WEE Loo Kang Lawrence, Co- Principal Investigator, Educational Technology Division.
• Leong Tze Kwang, Principal Investigator, Raffles Girls School
• Ning Hwee Tiang, Co- Principal Investigator., National Junior College
• Tan Kim Kia, Co- Principal Investigator, Evergreen Secondary
• Chan Him Nok, Co- Principal Investigator, River Valley High School

Workshop Structure:

• Four-Day Workshop: The main event was a four-day hands-on workshop held at eduLab@AST in Singapore from October 26 to 29, 2015. The workshop focused on practical experience with Tracker and EjsS.
• Public Lectures: A two-hour public lecture was organized at the National University of Singapore (NUS) by Prof. Sow S.H. and Prof. Kwek L.C. The lectures focused on the key tools: “Titles: Tracker, Video Analysis and Modeling Tool and Open Source Physics”.
• Target Audience: The workshop targeted physics teachers, but welcomed educators from other STEM disciplines.

Workshop Content:

The materials provided detailed information on the workshop content, highlighting hands-on sessions, presentations, and curriculum integration. The workshop also contained a number of downloadable resources including:

• Teaching With Open Source Physics Seminar Slides
• Tracker Workshop Slides
• OSP/EjsS Workshop Slides

Additional Resources:

The website also lists a wide variety of JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Models, these include but are not limited to:

• Kinematics Simulations
• Dynamics Simulations
• Wave Simulations
• Electricity & Magnetism Simulations
• Quantum Mechanics Simulations
• Thermodynamics Simulations
• Maths Simulation Models
• Primary School Science Simulation Models
• Many Tracker based simulations including, a range of projectile motion, collision, and oscillatory simulations.

Key Quotes from Source:

• "Tracker/Open Source Physics Workshop for Singapore Teachers. This is part of the eduLab Project “Becoming Scientists through Video Analysis”"
• "Participants used Tracker to download ready-to-use video clips from the internet and practiced using Tracker and EjsS for teaching."
• “Advanced workshop with OSP tools and resources. Use of Easy Java/JavaScript resources to complement Tracker activities. Improve personal curriculum development objectives.”
• "Open Source Physics: A User’s Guide with Examples, Wolfgang Christian, Addison-Wesley, (2007)"

Conclusion:

The materials from this workshop and public lectures document a valuable initiative to promote the use of OER and OSP in Singaporean physics classrooms. The emphasis on hands-on learning with tools like Tracker and EjsS, coupled with the focus on curriculum integration, reflects a commitment to modernizing physics education and making it more accessible and engaging for students. The presence of experienced educators like Professors Brown and Christian provided a wealth of knowledge and best practices for utilizing these powerful educational resources.

Open Source Physics & Tracker Study Guide

Quiz

1. What are the primary functions of the Tracker software, and how does it facilitate physics education?
2. What is the purpose of Easy JavaScript Simulations (EjsS), and how does it complement Tracker in educational settings?
3. Who are Douglas Brown and Wolfgang Christian, and what are their respective roles in the development of these tools?
4. What was the purpose of the workshops in Singapore and who were the intended participants?
5. How does the open-source nature of these tools benefit teachers and students?
6. What are some examples of the types of physics concepts that can be explored using Tracker?
7. How does video analysis enhance understanding of physics principles compared to traditional methods?
8. What are some of the features of EjsS that allow it to be used to model physics phenomena?
9. How are resources like these typically shared and accessed by educators and students?
10. What is the relationship between the Tracker/OSP project and the National Research Foundation (NRF) and Ministry of Education (MOE) in Singapore?

Quiz Answer Key

1. Tracker is a video analysis and modeling tool that allows students to analyze real-world videos, track motion, and create models to explore physics concepts. This facilitates a hands-on, inquiry-based learning approach.
2. EjsS is an authoring and modeling tool that allows users to create interactive simulations of physics phenomena, allowing students to explore various situations and parameters. It complements Tracker by providing a means to model theoretical concepts and analyze real-world data.
3. Douglas Brown is the creator of the Tracker video analysis software, while Wolfgang Christian is the creator of the Open Source Physics (OSP) project and the Easy JavaScript Simulations (EjsS) tool. They are both physics professors with extensive experience in computer-based physics education.
4. The workshops aimed to introduce Singaporean teachers to Tracker and EjsS, providing hands-on training in how to use these tools in their teaching. The intended participants were physics teachers, but mathematics and chemistry teachers were also welcome.
5. Open-source tools are freely available and modifiable, allowing teachers to customize the resources to suit their specific curriculum needs. It also promotes collaboration and resource sharing, thus leveling access to quality educational tools.
6. Tracker can be used to explore a variety of physics topics, such as kinematics (motion), dynamics (forces), energy, collisions, oscillations, and wave phenomena, through video analysis of real-world events.
7. Video analysis provides a visual, dynamic representation of physics principles, making them more tangible and intuitive for students. It also allows students to connect models to reality and visualize complex phenomena.
8. EjsS allows users to create custom simulations using simple programming and a variety of pre-built components. It provides tools for modeling, visualization, and interactive control, and thus a wide variety of physics situations can be simulated.
9. Resources are shared via online repositories such as ComPADRE and accessible through websites, such as Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore. They can often be downloaded for free to use on a local computer.
10. The Tracker/OSP project in Singapore was supported by funding from the NRF and MOE, and is part of the eduLab Project “Becoming Scientists through Video Analysis”. This supports Singapore's commitment to innovation and inquiry in educational technology.

Essay Questions

1. Discuss the pedagogical advantages of using video analysis tools like Tracker in physics education. How does this approach differ from traditional teaching methods, and what are its potential impacts on student learning?
2. Explain how the combination of Tracker and EjsS can enhance the learning of physics concepts. Provide specific examples of how the two tools complement each other in facilitating a deeper understanding of physics principles.
3. Analyze the role of open-source software in democratizing access to educational resources, and explore the potential benefits for global education. How does open-source software support collaboration and innovation among educators?
4. Describe the importance of hands-on training and workshops in the effective adoption of new educational technologies. What are the benefits of professional development opportunities for teachers in implementing innovative teaching tools like Tracker and EjsS?
5. Evaluate the potential of educational technology, like Tracker and EjsS, to promote more engaging and personalized learning experiences. Discuss how tools such as these support both active learning and differentiated instruction in the physics classroom.

Glossary of Key Terms

• Tracker: A free, open-source video analysis and modeling tool used for physics education, allowing students to track motion and create models based on real-world videos.
• Easy JavaScript Simulations (EjsS): An open-source authoring and modeling tool used to create interactive computer simulations of physical phenomena.
• Open Source Physics (OSP): A project dedicated to developing free, customizable, and interactive physics resources and tools.
• ComPADRE: A digital library and resource collection that hosts open educational resources related to physics and astronomy.
• Video Analysis: The process of extracting quantitative data from videos, often to study motion, forces, and other physical phenomena.
• Modeling: The process of creating a representation of a real-world system that allows for understanding and prediction. In physics education, modeling often involves computer simulations to test the validity of a hypothesis.
• Kinematics: The study of motion, focusing on the description of how objects move without considering the causes of the motion.
• Dynamics: The study of motion with emphasis on forces and why objects move.
• Open Educational Resources (OER): Teaching, learning, and research materials that are freely available for use and adaptation with few or no restrictions.
• JavaScript: A programming language commonly used to create interactive content on websites, also used by EjsS.
• Simulation: A computer-based representation of a physical system or process, used to explore the behavior of the system.
• AAPT: American Association of Physics Teachers, a professional organization for physics teachers.
• NRF: National Research Foundation, a Singaporean organization that funds research projects.
• MOE: Ministry of Education, the Singaporean governmental body in charge of education.

Resources

http://www.compadre.org/osp/images/orange_block.gif); background-color: rgb(102, 102, 102); background-position: 0% 50%; background-repeat: no-repeat no-repeat;">Conference Proceedings Detail Page

Tracker/Open Source Physics Workshop for Singapore Teachers written by Douglas Brown and Wolfgang Christian  Material from a 4-day hands-on Edulab@AST  workshop that introduced teachers to the Tracker video analysis and modeling tool and the Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EjsS) authoring and modeling tool. Short expositions with practical sessions provided participants with hands-on learning using these tools. Participants used Tracker to download ready-to-use video clips from the internet and practiced using Tracker and EjsS for teaching. Presentations at the National University of Singapore is also included. Edulab@AST Workshop Edulab and National University of Singapore : October 16-29, 2015 .pdf download 4122kb .pdf  Last Modified: October 28, 2015 .pdf Teaching With Open Source Physics Seminar Slides Physics seminar at the National University of Singapore.  download 6353kb .pdf  Last Modified: October 28, 2015 .pdf Tracker Workshop Slides Presentation during EduLab Tracker/OSP workshop.  download 2592kb .pdf  Last Modified: October 28, 2015 .pdf OSP/EjsS Workshop Slides OSP/EjsS slices from the Edulab workshop.  download 4144kb .pdf  Last Modified: October 28, 2015

29 june updated email blast:

 

 

 

 

Dear Physics Education colleagues,

We would like to invite you to our Physics Tracker/Open Source Physics Workshop, with hands-on experience, designed for Singapore Teachers.
This is part of the eduLab Project “Becoming Scientists through Video Analysis”, supported by the National Research Foundation (NRF), Ministry of Education (MOE), & National Institute of Education (NIE).

Event: Tracker/Open Source Physics Workshop for Singapore Teachers.

Trainer 1: Professor Douglas Brown, creator of Tracker, video analysis and modeling tool

Trainer 2: Professor Wolfgang Christian, creator of Open Source Physics.


Facilitator 1: WEE Loo Kang Lawrence, Co- Principal Investigator, Educational Technology Division.
Facilitator 2: Leong Tze Kwang, Principal Investigator, Raffles Girls School
Facilitator 3: Ning Hwee Tiang, Co- Principal Investigator., National Junior College
Facilitator 4: Tan Kim Kia, Co- Principal Investigator, Evergreen Secondary
Facilitator 5: Chan Him Nok, Co- Principal Investigator, River Valley High School

Computer Tool 1: Tracker Video Analysis and Modeling Tool
Computer Tool 2: Easy JavaScript Simulation Authoring and Modeling Tool 

Participants: maximum of 60 participants may be selected to join the workshop 
Cost: Free
Target Group: Physics Teachers, but Mathematics and Chemistry teachers are welcome too.

Date: 26 (Monday) to 29 (Thursday) October 2015
Time: 0900-1700 daily
Note: On one of the days confirmed at 28 October WED 1500-1700 NUS, LT31 (S16-03), participants will attend a 2-hour public lecture by Prof Doug and Prof Wolfgang,organised by Prof Sow S.H. and Prof Kwek L.C, at NUS Science Faculty.
Venue: 2 Malan Road Block J, Level 4, eduLab@AST and IT Room 2

 

Day 3,  28 Oct Wed

Advanced workshop with OSP tools and resources. Use of Easy Java/JavaScript resources to complement Tracker activities. Improve personal curriculum development objectives.
NUS Public Lecture: LT31, NUS, Science Faculty
Titles: Tracker, Video Analysis and Modeling Tool and Open Source Physics,  Prof Doug and Prof Wolfgang
organised by Prof Sow S.H. and Prof Kwek L.C, at NUS Science Faculty.

 

 

 

Trainer 1: Douglas Brown