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

Introduction:

This document summarizes the key themes, ideas, and facts found in the provided log from the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" website. The log primarily details a series of workshops, resources, and projects focused on using interactive simulations, video analysis, and open-source tools for physics education. The work is largely driven by a commitment to active and interactive pedagogy.

Main Themes:

1. Active and Interactive Pedagogy: The core philosophy is centered around engaging students actively in their learning process. This involves using simulations and hands-on tools rather than traditional passive learning methods. The Peter Dourmashkin workshop mentioned, "SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series - Peter Dourmashkin" , highlights this focus.
2. Open Educational Resources (OER): A strong commitment to using and creating OER is evident. Resources like simulations and models are openly shared, promoting accessibility and reusability. This is explicitly mentioned in the page title, "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore."
3. Open Source Physics (OSP): The use of open-source software, particularly Easy JavaScript Simulations (EjsS) and Tracker, plays a central role. This reflects a belief in the power of free and customizable tools for teaching and learning. The frequent mention of EjsS and Tracker throughout the log is telling.
4. Simulations and Modeling: A significant portion of the work involves developing and using simulations to illustrate physical concepts. Many entries refer to specific JavaScript HTML5 applet simulations covering various physics topics from mechanics to electromagnetism. This is evident in countless entries like "Double Pendulum HTML5 JavaScript Simulation Model," "Harmonic Oscillator Virtual Lab HTML5 Applet Simulation Model", and "Flight Dynamics Gimbal JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model".
5. Video Analysis with Tracker: The use of Tracker, a free video analysis and modeling tool, is heavily emphasized, demonstrating a dedication to real-world data and analysis. Many entries describe workshops and resources on how to use Tracker to analyze various phenomena: "20150930 Trasi 41153 USING TRACKER AS A MODEL-BUILDING PEDAGOGICAL TOOL", "20170207 TRIASI 41133-00002 Becoming Scientists Through Video Analysis".
6. Model Building: There is a strong focus on using both Tracker and simulations to model physical phenomena. The intention is to have students not just observe but also create and test their own models. Examples like "Tracker Free Body Diagram Cart rolling down a Gentle Slope 4 degree by RGS Leong Tze Kwang" and the "Tracker 6/6 Check Out Task using Model Builder" entries showcase this.
7. Technology Integration: The integration of ICT (Information and Communication Technology) into teaching is a clear goal, as evidenced by workshop titles like, "👨‍🏫20170220 TRAISI 41188 workshop 2017 ICT Resources for Teaching Dynamics" and entries such as "📱AEP 03/16 LW Apps as Virtual Lab"
8. Teacher Professional Development: The log is essentially a record of workshops and trainings for educators, highlighting the aim of empowering teachers to use these tools effectively. These are typically delivered via the TRAISI series, for example.
9. Community and Collaboration: The website seems to represent a community of educators sharing and contributing to a shared pool of resources. Many entries are credited to specific individuals ("by Leong Tze Kwang", "by Eka Cahya Prima," etc), and the blog entries document workshops delivered by various educators. This shows a collaborative effort.

Key Ideas and Facts:

• Tools: The primary tools are EjsS, a simulation authoring tool, and Tracker, a video analysis tool, frequently integrated together. The mention of Easy JavaScript/Java Simulation Authoring and Modeling Tool highlights EJS.
• Disciplines: The majority of resources are focused on Physics, but there are also examples of Mathematics and Chemistry resources. The resources span topics across the physics curriculum, including kinematics, dynamics, electromagnetism, waves and quantum physics.
• Levels: Resources appear to be designed for a range of educational levels, from primary school to secondary school. This is indicated by mentions like "Primary Maths 3D view of Objects Cone, Pyramid, Cylinder, Sphere on Cuboid JavaScript Model Simulation Applet HTML5 " and the existence of separate "Primary Kinematics" and "Secondary Kinematics" applets.
• Awards: The project received significant recognition for their innovative work, including a "Ministry of Education Service Excellence Award 2012", "Public Service 21 Distinguished Star Service Award 2014" and a UNESCO award. "🏆2015-6 UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education"
• International Collaboration: Collaborations with international researchers are a feature. "20161107-10 Workshop by Prof Francisco Esquembre, Wolfgang Christian and Félix J. García Clemente edulab@AST" shows this.
• EjsS License: The site is licenced under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0. However commercial use of EjsS requires a separate license.

Illustrative Quotes & Examples:

• On Workshop Focus: "SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series - Peter Dourmashkin"
• On Simulation Resources: Examples like "Double Pendulum HTML5 JavaScript Simulation Model" and "Kinematics or Moving Car 1D Model with Tracker Related Kinematics Modeling Capability JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model" highlight the breadth of simulations.
• On Tracker Use: "Tracker Atwood Machine 3 Model by Leong Tze Kwang" and "20150930 Trasi 41153 USING TRACKER AS A MODEL-BUILDING PEDAGOGICAL TOOL"
• On Open Source: "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore"

Conclusion:

This log provides evidence of an active and evolving initiative in Singapore focused on transforming physics education through OER, OSP, and interactive technologies. The emphasis is on student engagement, model building, and real-world data analysis, all within the framework of open-source tools and resources. The project has a strong community of educators committed to developing and sharing these resources, and has received significant recognition for its innovative approach. The consistent use of EjsS and Tracker point to specific tool choices being part of the project's pedagogy.

http://weelookang.blogspot.sg/2015/02/sutd-active-and-interactive-pedagogy.html

SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series - Peter Dourmashkin

SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series - Peter Dourmashkin
Thanks to them for organising this SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series

1. This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Concept Vignettes:
http://www.sutd.edu.sg/concept_vignettes.aspx

 

with SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series - Peter Dourmashkin, thanks to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Thank you for registering for the SUTD Physics Workshop for Educators under our Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series.

Gentle reminder that the workshop will be taking place on 28 Jan (9am – 5pm) and 30 Jan (9am – noon).

Please note that we have moved to our new campus.

Our current address is 8 Somapah Road, S(487372).

Directions to our school can be found here: http://www.sutd.edu.sg/getting_to_sutd.aspx .

For those who are driving, you may wish to park near Lobby J; Parking is free.

The reporting venue for tomorrow will be our One Stop Centre @ Campus Centre (Building 3, Level 1).

We’ll see you there at 9am.

with SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series - Peter Dourmashkin, taken using my own Note 3, thanks to siew leng YJC.

 

SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series - Peter Dourmashkin

i prepare some slides to share, thanks to Peter's question bank.

 

taken from Peter Dourmashkin

download and unzip: https://www.dropbox.com/s/a3g3w3bur5m4ygs/ejss_model_SHM13.zip?dl=0

PPTX: https://www.dropbox.com/s/svllqzojzivtuhi/SHMconcept01.pptx?dl=0

FAQ: Open Educational Resources and Open Source Physics in Singapore

1. What is the focus of the workshops and resources mentioned in the text? The workshops and resources primarily focus on active and interactive pedagogy using Open Educational Resources (OER) and Open Source Physics (OSP) simulations. These resources aim to enhance the teaching and learning of physics (and some mathematics and chemistry) by using interactive simulations, video analysis, and modeling tools. The workshops provide educators with the skills to integrate these tools into their lessons.
2. What types of tools and software are highlighted for use in physics education? The materials emphasize a variety of tools, including: Easy JavaScript Simulations (EjsS) for creating simulations; Tracker, a video analysis and modeling tool; HTML5 applets for interactive simulations; Desmos for graphing and modeling; and various JavaScript and WebGL-based models for different physics concepts. There are also examples of specific apps that can be used as virtual labs.
3. What are some of the specific physics topics covered by the resources? The resources and simulations span a wide range of physics topics, from basic mechanics (kinematics, dynamics, energy) to more advanced topics like electromagnetism, waves, quantum physics, and astrophysics. Specific examples include simple harmonic motion, projectile motion, collisions, rotational motion, gravity, electric fields, magnetic fields, optics, nuclear physics, and thermodynamics.
4. What is the significance of "Open Source" and "Open Educational Resources" in this context? The use of "Open Source" software and "Open Educational Resources" implies that the tools and materials are freely available for educators to use, modify, and share, promoting accessibility and collaboration in education. This also fosters a community of educators who can improve and customize the resources to meet their specific needs.
5. Who is Peter Dourmashkin and what is his role in these initiatives? Peter Dourmashkin is a key figure in the SUTD Active and Interactive Pedagogy Series. He is involved in workshops designed to provide teachers with resources and skills to use open source physics in active learning. His question bank is mentioned, which suggests he provides resources to instructors using these methods.
6. How do educators benefit from using these open-source resources and interactive pedagogical techniques? Educators benefit through enhanced lesson engagement, allowing students to interact with physical phenomena in an active and visual manner, thus promoting deeper understanding. The resources provide teachers with customizable tools, enabling them to adapt to specific learning needs. These materials also encourage students to become more actively engaged with scientific concepts through experimentation and modeling.
7. What does the list of projects and simulations suggest about the scope and scale of the OER/OSP initiative? The extensive list of projects and simulations reveals a comprehensive and diverse initiative that seeks to cover a large portion of the typical high school and introductory college physics curriculum. It suggests a robust effort towards developing and sharing high-quality educational resources. The list extends beyond physics, with some materials for mathematics, and even some for chemistry.
8. Are there any awards or recognition associated with this work? Yes, the text highlights multiple awards and recognitions, including the Ministry of Education Service Excellence Award, the Ministry of Education Outstanding Innovator Award, Public Service 21 ExCEL Awards, and the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education. These accolades underscore the significant impact and innovation of the OER/OSP efforts in Singapore.