Briefing Document: Modeling with Simulations - Work, Energy, Power Workshop

Source: "20160308 MODELLING WITH SIMULATIONS_WORK ENERGY POWER 3/3 - Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore"

Date: March 8, 2016 (Event Date)

Context: This document is a blog post announcing the third part of a workshop series on modeling physics using simulations. It's part of the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore (OSP@SG) initiative, which aims to provide free, accessible physics learning tools. The workshop focuses on work, energy, and power concepts, using interactive simulations developed with Easy Java/JavaScript Simulations (EjsS).

Main Themes and Key Ideas:

• Hands-on Physics Learning through Simulations: The core theme is promoting active learning through the use of interactive computer simulations. The workshop, and by extension the OSP@SG initiative, emphasize that students can grasp complex physics concepts by manipulating and observing these simulations. This is particularly important for topics like work, energy, and power, which are often abstract.
• Open Educational Resources and Accessibility: The initiative is heavily rooted in the principles of open education, providing freely available resources for educators and learners. The post highlights that the workshop itself is free and that the resources used are also openly accessible online via a link, specifically to a section with "interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/07-energy-work-power".
• EjsS as the Simulation Tool: The document makes a strong case for using EjsS as a versatile tool to create, modify, and share physics simulations. EjsS allows for creation of simulations usable in multiple platforms (Java, JavaScript, HTML5) to reach more students, even through mobile devices.
• Modelling and Application: The title "MODELLING WITH SIMULATIONS" and references to several models such as "Projectile Motion Energy Model", "Energy Pendulum Model", and "Rotating Rectangular Block Model" imply a heavy focus on the process of modeling. The materials provided allow students and teachers to see how real-world scenarios can be represented mathematically and visually, through simulations. The resources are designed to be used across different grade levels (e.g., models are mentioned for primary and secondary levels). This demonstrates the flexibility of simulations in teaching.
• Workshop Series for Teachers: The format of the workshop series ("Part 1: 20 Jan 2016, Part 2: 17 Feb 2016, and Part 3: 09 Mar 2016") demonstrates that these are professional development sessions to equip teachers with the skills and resources they need to integrate simulations into their lessons. The reference to TRAISI codes suggests these workshops are part of an official professional development program.
• Community Engagement and Feedback: The post starts with "Thank you for your feedback to make OSP@SG better everyday," showing the initiative is open to contributions and aims to continuously improve.

Important Facts:

• Workshop Dates: The workshop on Work, Energy and Power was part 3 of a series and took place on March 9, 2016, from 2:30 PM to 5:30 PM.
• Target Audience: The workshop was geared towards "Upper Secondary + JC" (Junior College) level students and teachers, focusing on physics.
• Resource Location: The materials for the workshop were accessible at "https://sg.iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/07-energy-work-power" which offers many different learning modules.
• Specific Simulations: Several specific models were mentioned as resources, for example:
• Projectile Motion Energy Model
• Energy Pendulum Model (multiple versions for different levels)
• Rotating Rectangular Block Model
• EjsS Origin: The licensing details clarify the source of the simulation tool used (EasyJavaScriptSimulations) noting that it is developed at the University of Murcia in Spain, further validating the project's international reach and use of well-tested and shared resources.
• OSP@SG's Recognition: The blog mentions the group receiving the Ministry of Education GOLD Innergy Award 2016, highlighting its contribution to educational innovation in Singapore.

Quotes from the Source:

• "Thank you for your feedback to make OSP@SG better everyday." - Demonstrates the community and feedback loop within the project.
• "Resource will be taken from here. https://sg.iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/07-energy-work-power" - Points directly to the location of the learning material for the workshop.
• "this new simulation is recently developed thanks to Joseph Chua’s request" - Shows responsiveness to user needs and co-development.
• "all our 2016 workshops are available here" followed by links showing that multiple workshop dates were held.

Conclusion:

The document provides evidence of an active initiative to enhance physics education using interactive simulations. It highlights the importance of open educational resources, the use of EjsS for simulation development, and the active role of modeling in learning. The workshops are designed to empower educators with the tools and skills to effectively utilize these resources in their classrooms, focusing on topics like work, energy, and power. This is all part of a larger effort to create a more engaging and accessible learning experience for students in Singapore.

http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2016/03/modelling-with-simulationswork-energy.html

Thank you for your feedback to make OSP@SG better everyday.

the materials for tommorow workshop are available here

1. Projectile Motion Energy Model 
2. Energy Pendulum Model with Modeling 
3. Energy Pendulum Model for Primary 
4. Energy Pendulum Model with Modeling For Secondary 

this new simulation is recently developed thanks to Joseph Chua’s request.

·         Rotating Rectangular Block Model 

 

all our 2016 workshops are available here

1. http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2016/03/modelling-with-simulationswork-energy.html
2. http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2016/01/modelling-with-physics-simulations.html
3. http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2016/01/modelling-with-physics-simulations_22.html

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is Open Source Physics @ Singapore (OSP@SG) and what does it offer?

OSP@SG is a project that provides open educational resources, particularly interactive simulations and models for physics education. It focuses on making these resources freely available for teachers and students. The materials cover a wide range of topics from mechanics and electromagnetism to optics and modern physics. They utilize tools like Easy JavaScript Simulations (EjsS) to create interactive experiences that aid in understanding complex concepts.

2. What types of simulations and models are available on OSP@SG?>

OSP@SG offers a diverse range of interactive simulations and models, including:

• Mechanics: Projectile motion, pendulum motion (for various levels), rotating blocks, collisions (elastic and inelastic), frictional models, motion on inclined planes, circular motion, and more.
• Energy: Energy transfer and conservation, including potential and kinetic energy models.
• Electromagnetism: Magnetic fields, current-carrying wires, DC motors, AC generators, Lorentz force, and falling magnets.
• Waves: Doppler effect, wave superposition, single and double slit diffraction.
• Modern Physics: Photoelectric effect, radioactive decay, atomic models, and more.
• Other: Kinematics, fitting data to models, primary school math models, chemistry simulations (like titrations) and more. These are available as both JavaScript HTML5 applets and some with Java.

3. What tools and technologies are used to create these simulations?

The primary tool used to create OSP@SG's interactive simulations is Easy JavaScript Simulations (EjsS). EjsS is an open-source authoring tool that allows educators and developers to create interactive models and simulations that can run in web browsers. The simulations are often built using JavaScript and HTML5 and WebGL. Other tools mentioned include Tracker for video analysis.

4. What is the educational focus of the simulations and models?

The simulations and models are primarily designed to enhance the learning experience of physics concepts. The interactive nature of these resources allows students to experiment and visualize abstract ideas, promoting a deeper understanding. They are targeted towards Upper Secondary and Junior College students, and primary school content as well. The models often have a focus on inquiry-based learning.

5. Are the resources on OSP@SG free to use?

Yes, the resources provided by OSP@SG are generally available for free, licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License. This allows users to freely use, share, and adapt the materials for educational purposes, provided they give appropriate credit and share their modifications under the same license. However, for commercial use of the EasyJavaScriptSimulations Library, a separate license must be obtained.

6. Who are the primary contributors to OSP@SG?>

The materials are a collaborative effort involving numerous contributors. Prominent figures include Wee Loo Kang, who maintains the blog and coordinates the workshops, and international collaborators such as Francisco Esquembre, Wolfgang Christian, and Fu-Kwun Hwang. Local educators and researchers like Leong Tze Kwang, Tan Kim Kia, and Boon Chien are also key contributors.

7. How are workshops and events related to OSP@SG?>

OSP@SG regularly conducts workshops and events focused on modeling and simulation in physics education. These workshops often introduce teachers to tools like EjsS, Tracker and how to integrate interactive simulations into their teaching practices. The workshops are designed for educators, aiming to build their capacity to effectively utilize these resources. The events are frequently held at the Ministry of Education's Edulab@AST.

8. How can I find specific resources on the OSP@SG site?

The resources are organized into categories based on physics topics, making it easy to locate relevant simulations. Many of the simulation pages contain tags relating to the content, and you can use the "Popular Tags" section to navigate. Additionally, a search function could help you find specific simulations by keyword. The resources are also often linked within blog posts, which can provide context and suggestions for use.