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- BallTossOut.mov
- projectilemotionPWS 5 - Understanding projectile motion through video tracking updatedtotracker4.61.docx
- Tracker instruction.docx
- PWS 5 - Understanding projectile motion through video tracking (Teaching notes)updatedtotracker4.61.docx

Credits

Author: Douglas Brown
Contact: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Briefing Document: Tracker Software for Physics Education

Source: Excerpts from "Tracker Projectile Modeling Motion by Douglas Brown - Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore"

Main Theme: Using Tracker video analysis software as a pedagogical tool for physics education, specifically for understanding projectile motion.

Most Important Ideas/Facts:

• Real-world connection: Tracker allows students to analyze real-world physics phenomena captured on video, making learning more relevant and engaging.
• Evidence-based learning: Videos serve as evidence for scientific thinking, encouraging students to develop hypotheses and test them against real-world observations.
• Model building and productive failure: Tracker promotes model building, providing opportunities for "messing around productively." Students learn through experimentation and iteration, even when their initial models are inaccurate.

"Advantages:

1. related to real world physics
2. video as evidence for scientific thinking
3. model building promotes opportunity of messing around productively (productive failure)"

• Research-backed pedagogy: The source cites a research paper ("Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Projectile Motion") published on arXiv, indicating a solid pedagogical foundation for the use of Tracker.
• Variety of applications: The source lists numerous examples of Tracker models, demonstrating its versatility across various physics topics beyond projectile motion, such as:
• SHM (Simple Harmonic Motion)
• Gravity
• Ball bouncing
• Basketball throws
• Light damping
• Air puck motion

Key Quotes:

• "Tracker Free Video Modeling for Physics Education by Douglas Brown & Youtube PD by lookang lawrence wee" - highlighting key resources for learning and using Tracker.
• "arXiv:1206.6489 [pdf] Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Projectile Motion Loo Kang Wee, Charles Chew, Giam Hwee Goh, Samuel Tan, Tat Leong Lee" - citing a research paper supporting Tracker's effectiveness in physics education.

Overall: This source advocates for Tracker as a valuable tool for physics education. It emphasizes the software's ability to connect physics concepts to real-world scenarios, encourage evidence-based reasoning, and foster model-building skills through experimentation and iteration. The provided links to research and resources offer further support and guidance for educators interested in implementing Tracker in their classrooms.

 

Physics with Tracker: A Study Guide

Quiz

1. What are three advantages of using Tracker for studying physics?
2. How does Tracker relate to “real world” physics?
3. Give one example of how Tracker promotes “productive failure.”
4. What is the title of the research article cited on the Tracker Projectile Modeling Motion page?
5. What organization hosts the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore webpage?
6. What does the acronym "arXiv" stand for, and what is its purpose?
7. How can Tracker be used to study projectile motion?
8. What are some examples of other physics concepts that can be studied using Tracker, based on the provided list?
9. Beyond physics, what other potential applications for Tracker are suggested by the list of resources?
10. Where can one find additional information and resources about using Tracker in physics education?

Answer Key

1. Three advantages of using Tracker are: 1) connecting to real-world physics, 2) utilizing video as evidence for scientific thinking, and 3) promoting opportunities for productive failure.
2. Tracker relates to real-world physics by allowing users to analyze videos of actual physical phenomena, such as projectile motion or oscillations. This bridges the gap between theoretical concepts and their practical applications.
3. Tracker promotes "productive failure" by encouraging students to experiment with different models and parameters, even if they don't initially get the desired results. This process of trial and error can lead to deeper understanding and more robust learning.
4. The research article is titled "Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Projectile Motion."
5. The webpage is hosted by Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore.
6. "arXiv" stands for "archive." It is an online repository where researchers can share pre-prints of scientific papers before formal publication, promoting open access and collaboration.
7. Tracker can be used to study projectile motion by analyzing videos of objects in motion, such as balls thrown in the air. Users can track the object's position over time, calculate its velocity and acceleration, and fit the data to theoretical models.
8. The list provides examples like simple harmonic motion, gravity, collisions, thermodynamics, optics, and electromagnetism.
9. The list suggests applications in other fields like geography (transit planning) and language learning (interactive games).
10. Additional information about Tracker can be found in the "Video" and "Other Resources" sections of the webpage, as well as on the Tracker website and through online communities.

Essay Questions

1. Discuss the role of "productive failure" in learning physics, using Tracker as an example.
2. Compare and contrast the advantages of using Tracker versus traditional laboratory experiments for studying projectile motion.
3. How can Tracker be used to support inquiry-based learning in physics?
4. Evaluate the effectiveness of Tracker as a pedagogical tool based on the research article and your understanding of the software.
5. Explain how Tracker can be used to model and analyze a specific physics phenomenon, choosing from one of the examples provided in the resource list.

Glossary of Key Terms

Tracker: Free, open-source video analysis and modeling software used for physics education.

Projectile Motion: The motion of an object projected into the air, subject only to the force of gravity.

Modeling: Creating a simplified representation of a physical system to understand and predict its behavior.

Open Educational Resources (OER): Freely available educational materials that can be used, adapted, and shared.

Productive Failure: A learning process where students are encouraged to make mistakes and learn from them.

arXiv: An online repository for pre-prints of scientific papers.

Pedagogical Tool: An instrument or method used for teaching.

Inquiry-Based Learning: A teaching approach that emphasizes student investigation and questioning.

Simple Harmonic Motion (SHM): A type of periodic motion where the restoring force is proportional to the displacement from equilibrium.

Gravity: A fundamental force of attraction between objects with mass.

Collisions: Interactions between objects involving the transfer of momentum and energy.

Thermodynamics: The study of heat and its relation to energy and work.

Optics: The study of light and its properties.

Electromagnetism: The study of the interaction between electricity and magnetism.

Advantages

1. related to real world physics
2. video as evidence for scientific thinking
3. model building promotes opportunity of messing around productively (productive failure)
   
   

Research

arXiv:1206.6489 [pdf] Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Projectile Motion Loo Kang Wee, Charles Chew, Giam Hwee Goh, Samuel Tan, Tat Leong Lee Comments: 9 pages, 9 figures; this http URL Subjects: Physics Education (physics.ed-ph); Classical Physics (physics.class-ph); Computational Physics (physics.comp-ph)

 

Video

 Tracker Free Video Modeling for Physics Education by Douglas Brown & Youtube PD by lookang lawrence wee

Version:

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Other Resources

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Tracker Projectile Motion FAQ

What is Tracker?

Tracker is a free, open-source video analysis and modeling tool designed for use in physics education. It allows users to analyze the motion of objects in videos, create models to describe that motion, and compare the models to the real-world data.

What are the advantages of using Tracker in physics education?

Tracker offers several advantages:

1. Real-world Connection: It uses real-world videos, making physics concepts more tangible and relatable for students.
2. Scientific Evidence: Videos serve as evidence for scientific inquiry, encouraging students to analyze data and draw conclusions based on observations.
3. Model Building: The process of creating models promotes "messing around productively" or productive failure, allowing students to learn through experimentation and iteration.

What types of physics concepts can be explored using Tracker?

Tracker is particularly well-suited for studying projectile motion. It can be used to analyze videos of balls being thrown, objects dropped, or any scenario where an object moves under the influence of gravity. Examples include:

• Analyzing the trajectory of a basketball throw
• Investigating the bounce height of a dropped ball
• Determining the launch angle for maximum projectile range

Can Tracker be used for other physics topics beyond projectile motion?

Yes, Tracker can be used to analyze various physics concepts, including:

• Simple Harmonic Motion: Studying the oscillation of pendulums or springs
• Kinematics: Analyzing the motion of objects moving with constant velocity or acceleration
• Collisions: Investigating momentum and energy conservation in collisions

Are there any research studies supporting the effectiveness of Tracker as a pedagogical tool?

Yes, research has shown the effectiveness of Tracker in helping students understand projectile motion. A study published in the arXiv repository explores how Tracker enhances conceptual understanding, problem-solving skills, and engagement in physics learning.

Where can I find resources and examples of Tracker projects?

The Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore website provides a wealth of resources, including:

• Video tutorials demonstrating how to use Tracker
• Sample Tracker projects covering various physics concepts
• Links to research articles about Tracker in physics education

Is Tracker compatible with different operating systems?

Yes, Tracker is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux operating systems.

How can I get started with using Tracker?

You can download the Tracker software from the official website and find installation instructions and tutorials on the website. The website also provides a library of pre-made Tracker models that you can use and modify.