Briefing Document: NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 Java Simulation Design for Teaching and Learning

1. Project Overview

• Project Title: NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 Java Simulation Design for Teaching and Learning
• Objective: To enhance student comprehension of complex physics concepts through customized computer models, using a guided inquiry approach.
• Core Idea: The project aims to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application by providing students with visual and interactive simulations of physics principles.

2. Key Themes

• Open Educational Resources (OER): This project is a part of the "Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore" initiative. This indicates a commitment to making educational resources freely available and adaptable.
• Interactive Simulations: The central method is the use of computer models, specifically developed using Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJS). These models are not static; they're interactive, allowing students to manipulate variables and observe real-time effects.
• Guided Inquiry: The project emphasizes learning through guided inquiry. This means students are not just passively receiving information but are actively exploring and investigating concepts using simulations.
• Bridging Theory and Reality: A key goal is to use simulations to make abstract physics concepts more tangible and relatable.
• Teacher Customization: The project provides tools that allow teachers to tailor simulations to their specific teaching needs, making them more effective for their students.
• Positive Impact: The project has reportedly had a positive impact, with both students and teachers reporting increased engagement and effectiveness.

3. Important Ideas and Facts

• Collaborative Effort: The project is a joint effort of several junior colleges (River Valley High, Yishun Junior College, Innova Junior College, Anderson Junior College, and Serangoon Junior College) and the Ministry of Education's (MOE) Educational Technology Division, highlighting a strong collaborative approach to educational resource development.
• Principal Investigators: The list of principal investigators includes physics teachers from various institutions and personnel from the Educational Technology Division. This indicates a blend of subject matter expertise and technology-enhanced learning expertise.
• Impact and Reach: In 2012, the project directly benefited more than 2000 students and 39 teachers across 5 schools, demonstrating its scale and practical implementation.
• Positive Feedback: Both students and teachers have given positive feedback. Teachers found the customized models helpful for transmitting difficult concepts, while students enjoyed the increased interaction.
• Project Artifacts:The project resulted in the creation of OSP@SG Open Source Physics EasyJavaScript Simulation Digital Library and a Shared Library for EasyJavaScript Simulation.
• Instructional programs and scaling pages on other sites.
• Software Used: The simulations are built using Java and Easy JavaScript Simulation (EJS). This signifies a focus on web-accessible, cross-platform compatible models.
• Journal Publications: The project has resulted in publications in Physics Education journal, highlighting the academic rigor and contribution to the field of physics education. These publications explore topics like geostationary satellite models and collision cart models.
• "A geostationary Earth orbit satellite model using Easy Java Simulation."
• "One-dimensional collision carts computer model and its design ideas for productive experiential learning."
• MOE Publication: The project's work is also acknowledged in the Ministry of Education's publication, "i in Practice," demonstrating alignment with national educational goals.
• Conference Presentations: The team has shared their work at international conferences, notably the World Conference on Physics Education.
• Awards: The project has received multiple awards, including the UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education, further validating its contribution and impact.
• Numerous Simulation Examples: The provided list contains a large number of specific simulations (e.g., Simple Harmonic Motion, Kepler Orbit, Projectile Motion, etc.). This indicates the wide range of physics topics covered by the project.
• Tracker Tool Integration: Many simulations integrate the Tracker video analysis and modeling tool, emphasizing a combination of video-based and computational methods.
• Community Focus: The resources on this page are available to users and that user, lookang, has created 1170 articles with over 9.6 million article view hits, showing the significant scale of this open education resource.
• Licensing: The educational content is licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, allowing for sharing and adaptation, while commercial use of the EJS library has specific conditions, making it clear how the resources should be reused.

4. Key Quotes from the Source

• "This project aims to increase student’s appreciation and efficacy in handling multi-variable phenomena and concepts, with a view of improving students’ understanding of challenging concepts in physics, through customized computer models."
• "Applying the guided inquiry approach to learning, these computer models are used to bridge the gap between theory and reality, providing students with visual and relevant representations of physics concepts."
• "teachers shared that they were able to more effectively transmit difficult physics concepts to their students as the computer models could be customized to fit their specific purposes."
• "students enjoyed the increased engagement and interaction that stemmed from such a learning approach."

5. Conclusion

The "NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 Java Simulation Design for Teaching and Learning" project represents a comprehensive and impactful approach to physics education. By developing and deploying interactive, customizable simulations within an open educational resource framework, the project has successfully improved student engagement and understanding of complex concepts. The project's emphasis on guided inquiry, teacher customization, and its strong evidence base through publications and awards position it as a significant model for technology-enhanced learning in physics education. The breadth of topics and models indicate a deep commitment to providing educators with powerful tools for teaching physics effectively.

Embed this model in a webpage:

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About

NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 Java Simulation Design for Teaching and Learning By River Valley High, Yishun Junior College, Innova Junior College, Anderson Junior College and Serangoon Junior College, supported by eduLab learning designers

Principal Investigators

1. Ms. Lim Ai Phing, Senior Physics Teacher, River Valley High (2013-current)

2. Mr. Xu Weiming, Physics Teacher, River Valley High (2012)
3. Mr. Lee Tat Leong, River Valley High
4. Mr. Goh Giam Hwee, Yishun Junior College
5. Mr. Ong Chee Wah, Innova Junior College
6. Mr. Ng Soo Kok, Innova Junior College
7. Mr. Goh Khoon Song, Anderson Junior College
8. Mr. Lim Ee-Peow, Anderson Junior College
9. Mr. Yeo Wee Leng, Serangoon Junior College
10. Ms. Lim Chew Ling, Serangoon Junior College
11. Mr. Wee Loo Kang, Educational Technology Division
12. Mr. Mathew Ong, Educational Technology Division (2012)
13. Ms. Lye Sze Yee, Educational Technology Division
14. Dr. Kenneth Lim, National Institute of Education

Project Information

This project aims to increase student’s appreciation and efficacy in handling multi-variable phenomena and concepts, with a view of improving students’ understanding of challenging concepts in physics, through customized computer models. Applying the guided inquiry approach to learning, these computer models are used to bridge the gap between theory and reality, providing students with visual and relevant representations of physics concepts.

In 2012, more than 2000 students from 5 schools, with the aid of 39 teachers, benefited from the 6 lesson packages featuring 9 computer models. Both students and teachers gave positive feedback. For instance, teachers shared that they were able to more effectively transmit difficult physics concepts to their students as the computer models could be customized to fit their specific purposes. On the other hand, students enjoyed the increased engagement and interaction that stemmed from such a learning approach.

For more information regarding the project, please contact the eduLab learning designers, Mr. Wee Loo Kang Lawrence at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Project Artifacts 

1. OSP@SG  Open Source Physics EasyJavaScript Simulation Digital Library (2015)
2. Shared Library for EasyJavaScript Simulation (2015) 
3. 6th IPSG instructional program support group A level physics scaling page (2014)
4. ExCEL Fest scaling page (2013)
5. Working site https://sites.google.com/site/lookang/ (2012)

Journal Papers 

1. Wee, L. K., & Goh, G. H. (2013). A geostationary Earth orbit satellite model using Easy Java Simulation. Physics Education, 48(1), 72. doi: 10.1088/0031-9120/48/1/72 arXiv:1212.3863 [pdf] [1212.3863iopgeostationary.pdf]
2. Wee, L. K. (2012). One-dimensional collision carts computer model and its design ideas for productive experiential learning. Physics Education, 47(3): 301. arXiv:1204.4964 [pdf] [1204.4964iopejscollision.pdf]

MOE Publication 

1. Wee L.K. (2013) Open Source Physics, i in Practice 1(1), p. 58-63, Ministry of Education.[PDF] [iinpracticeOpen Source Physics_PG58-63_lr.pdf]

Conference Papers and Presentations 

1. Wee L.K., Lim A.P., Goh G.S, Lye S.Y., Lee T.L., Xu W.M., Goh G.H., Ong C.W., Ng S.K., Lim E.P., Lim C.L., Yeo W.L., Ong Matthew, Lim Kenneth (2012, 01-06 July, 1300-1430) Computer Models Design for Teaching and Learning using Easy Java Simulation PS 02.09 | Parallel Session 02.09 | Room 09 | 02.07.2012 Monday | 13:00 - 14:30 | 2012 World Conference on Physics Education Bahçeşehir Üniversitesi, Istanbul, Turkey arXiv:1210.3410[pdf][7-WCPE2012(413-438).pdf]

Awards 

1. 2015-6 UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education
2. Innergy Award 2014 HQ (Interactive Learning Resources) commendation
3. Innergy Award 2012 HQ (Gravity-Physics by Inquiry) Gold Award
4. Best Suggestion 2013 Nov of the Month (Ripple Tank Model) River Valley High School

Software Requirements

Java

Credits

http://edulab.moe.edu.sg/edulab-programmes/existing-projects/nrf2011-edu001-el001

FAQ

1. What is the primary goal of the NRF2011-EDU001-EL001 project? The main objective of the project is to enhance students' understanding and appreciation of complex, multi-variable physics phenomena through the use of customized computer models. These models are intended to bridge the gap between theoretical concepts and real-world observations, thereby making physics more accessible and engaging for students. This is achieved by employing a guided inquiry approach to learning.
2. How are these computer models utilized in the classroom? The computer models are integrated into lesson packages to provide visual and relevant representations of physics concepts. They allow students to explore and manipulate variables, observe the outcomes, and deepen their understanding of the underlying principles. Teachers use these customizable models to effectively explain challenging topics, tailoring the simulations to their specific lesson objectives.
3. What is EasyJavaScriptSimulation and what role does it play in this project? EasyJavaScriptSimulation (EJS) is a software tool used to create the interactive computer models. EJS allows for the design of simulations that illustrate physics principles in an engaging and interactive way. The project also supports the creation and sharing of an Open Source Physics EasyJavaScript Simulation Digital Library, ensuring the accessibility and reusability of these resources.
4. Who are the main collaborators and stakeholders involved in this project? The project is a collaborative effort involving multiple junior colleges in Singapore, including River Valley High, Yishun Junior College, Innova Junior College, Anderson Junior College, and Serangoon Junior College. It was supported by eduLab learning designers and involved numerous educators and researchers, including Ms. Lim Ai Phing, Mr. Xu Weiming, Mr. Wee Loo Kang, and Dr. Kenneth Lim, amongst others.
5. What kind of feedback did teachers and students provide regarding the project? Feedback from both teachers and students was positive. Teachers indicated that the computer models enabled them to explain difficult concepts more effectively, as they could be customized to fit specific needs. Students reported increased engagement and interaction, finding the learning approach to be more enjoyable and useful.
6. What kind of resources have been produced as part of this project? The project has produced several key resources, including the OSP@SG Open Source Physics EasyJavaScript Simulation Digital Library, shared libraries for EasyJavaScriptSimulation, and various instructional programs and websites. There are also journal papers, MOE publications, and conference papers associated with the work done. Additionally, numerous applets and simulations were developed, covering a wide range of physics concepts, which can be found on the project's website.
7. What are some examples of the types of physics concepts covered by these simulations? The simulations cover a wide variety of physics topics, from Newtonian mechanics and oscillations (like Simple Harmonic Motion) to more complex concepts such as satellite motion, electromagnetism, wave phenomena (including interference and diffraction), thermodynamics, and even nuclear decay. There are also simulations designed for specific learning activities, such as projectile motion and collision experiments.
8. Where can I find more information about the project and the available resources? More information can be found on the Open Educational Resources / Open Source Physics @ Singapore website. For specific queries regarding the project, individuals can contact the eduLab learning designer, Mr. Wee Loo Kang Lawrence. The project's various resources and simulations are linked from this central platform, and include various links to published papers, conference materials, and the simulations themselves.