Briefing Document: AEP 03/16 LW Apps as Virtual Lab

1. Project Overview & Context

• Project Title: Apps as Virtual Laboratory (AEP 03/16 LW)
• Primary Goal: To develop mobile applications that function as virtual physics laboratories, enabling experiential learning anytime, anywhere. The project aims to address the limitations of traditional lab sessions, which are often immobile, require significant prep time, and are subject to equipment wear and tear. The project is supported by eduLab learning designer.
• Principal Investigator: Mr. Wee Loo Kang Lawrence (Educational Technology Division, Senior Specialist)

2. Motivation & Rationale

• Problem: Traditional physics laboratory sessions are:
• "non-mobile"
• Require "lots of preparation time"
• Subject to "wear and tear" of equipment.
• Solution: The project seeks to create "well designed and customised simulations" in the form of mobile apps, for "experiential learning anytime and anywhere." This is in response to a need expressed by teachers and students.
• Pedagogical Approach: The project promotes "mathematical-modeling learning," which is an approach derived by the PI in collaboration with the Open Source Physics Project.

3. Project Artifacts (Apps & Resources)

• The project has produced several physics simulation apps, including:
• App 1: Kinematics or Moving Car 1D
• App 2: Kinematics Y or Free Fall
• App 3: Monkey and Hunter Projectile
• App 4: Photoelectric Effect
• Technology: These apps are developed using JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Models, making them cross-platform compatible.
• Availability: The apps are available on both the Android Play Store and Apple Store.
• Core Resource: The project utilizes the OSP@SG Open Source Physics and EasyJavaScript Simulation Digital Library (2015)

4. Key Research Questions & Design Focus

• The project explores the following research questions, focusing on what design features make the apps effective for learning:
• "What were learning/teaching design features simple or complex view, how to design simple dropdown menu controls, controls inputs via view or separate panel for interactions, 2 or 3 dimension view, realistic and accurate model, with or without mathematical modeling capabilities, allow for creative scenario in the App that students and teachers find useful for simulating and visualise Physics?"

5. Project Collaborators & Recognition

• Co-Principal Investigators: Dr. Dave Lommen, Dr. Lim Jit Ning, Mr. Leong Tze Kwang, Mr. Darren Tan, Dr. Darren Wong
• Recognition: The project's work in ICT pedagogical innovation has been recognised by the "UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education."
• Partnership with Open Source Physics: The project builds upon the work of the Open Source Physics Project.

6. Project Funding and Development

• eduLab Project: The project was selected as an eduLab project with funding, but the budget may be reviewed.
• Consultant Roles: Consultants play a critical role in designing templates, developing apps across platforms, conducting testing, and training the project team.
• Development Goals: A key development goal is to create new simulation templates using 3D WebGL and to enhance the mathematical modeling features within the apps. There is also interest in incorporating video explanations and quiz features.

7. Specific Development & Training Activities:

• Consultant Work: The plan includes consultancy for:
• Design of new App templates
• Rapid development & testing in face-to-face settings
• Teaching team members how to create new simulations using scalar fields, 3D WebGL, and improved 3D object imports
• Enhancing math modelling, adding video explanation and quiz components
• Training on JavaScript features and low-level programming in EjsS
• Debugging & adding native Google and iOS Game server integrations.
• Consultant Expertise: The need for an "expert consultant" highlights the technical complexity of developing apps that run seamlessly on multiple platforms from the same source codes.
• Team Training: A significant focus is on training the project team to be able to create simulations using advanced techniques.
• Workshops: Planned "Apps as Virtual Laboratory" workshops are intended to promote the use of the apps by educators at various levels.

8. Learning Analytics and Future Directions:

• Learning Analytics Integration: Plans are in place to discuss the integration of Learning Analytics from the apps with the Hwa Chong Institution's Moodle LMS.
• EjsS Future Versions: The project team is interested in discussing, documenting and reflecting about new functionality and features in future versions of EjsS and their apps.

9. Additional Information

• Device Compatibility: Note that some devices, such as Samsung J1 Ace with Android 5.1.1, do not support WebGL and hence cannot run 3D simulations.
• Extensive List of Resources: The document includes a vast list of physics simulations and related tools, which provides context for the breadth of work being undertaken by this team. This demonstrates the project's extensive engagement with creating and sharing educational simulations.
• Creative Commons License: The content is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 4.0 Singapore License, which promotes open access.

10. Key Quotes

• "Our observations suggest that current practical laboratory sessions are non-mobile, requires lots of preparation time and equipment are subjected to wear and tear."
• "This project seeks to create mobile apps for making effort to understand and experiential learning with these virtual laboratory in the mobile app form, available on Android Play and Apple Store."
• "Pedagogy wise, enabling mathematical-modeling learning, a new practice derived from by the PI while collaborating with the Open Source Physics Project will be suggested where appropriate."
• "This is not a trivial task as the creation of these Apps need to run seamlessly on both mobile App development platform using the same source codes that requires expert consultant to work on in Singapore."

In Summary

This project represents a significant effort to transform physics education by creating mobile, interactive, and customizable virtual laboratories. The use of open source tools, combined with a focus on mathematical modeling and experiential learning, highlights a commitment to innovative pedagogy. The project's recognition by UNESCO further validates its impact and potential. The development activities and emphasis on training suggest a long-term vision for empowering educators to leverage these tools effectively.

Apps as virtual lab edulab By Educational Technology Division, Hwa Chong Institution, Curriculum Planning & Development Division supported by eduLab learning designer

By Educational Technology Division, Hwa Chong Institution, Curriculum Planning & Development Division supported by eduLab learning designer

 

Principal Investigator

1. Mr. Wee Loo Kang Lawrence, Educational Technology Division, Senior Specialist.

 

Project Information

Our observations suggest that current practical laboratory sessions are non-mobile, requires lots of preparation time and equipment are subjected to wear and tear. We argue that teachers and students want well designed and customised simulations for experiential learning anytime and anywhere. 

This project seeks to create mobile apps for making effort to understand and experiential learning with these virtual laboratory in the mobile app form, available on Android Play and Apple Store. Pedagogy wise, enabling mathematical-modeling learning, a new practice derived from by the PI while collaborating with the Open Source Physics Project will be suggested where appropriate.

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

 

Project Artifact

1. App1 Kinematics or Moving Car 1D JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model  
2. App 2 Kinematics Y or Free Fall JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model  
3. App 3 Monkey and Hunter Projectile JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model
4. App 4 Photoelectric Effect JavaScript HTML5 Applet Simulation Model
5. Android Store
6. Apple Store 
7. OSP@SG  Open Source Physics EasyJavaScript Simulation Digital Library (2015)

 

Press Release

1. OSP@SG  Open Source Physics at Singapore's ICT Pedagogical Innovation Recognised by UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education

 

Journal Papers

1. to be updated

 

MOE publication

1. to be updated

 

Conference Papers and Presentations

1. Félix J. García Clemente, Francisco Esquembre and Loo Kang Lawrence WeeDeployment of physics simulation apps using Easy JavaScript Simulations, IEEE Global Engineering Education Conference (EDUCON 2017), Athens, Greece
   

Awards

1. OSP@SG  Open Source Physics at Singapore's ICT Pedagogical Innovation Recognised by UNESCO King Hamad Bin Isa Al-Khalifa Prize for the Use of ICTs in Education

 

Co-Principal Investigators

Dr. Dave Lommen, Hwa Chong Institution
Dr. Lim Jit Ning, Hwa Chong Institution

Mr. Leong Tze Kwang, Curriculum Planning and Development Division

Mr. Darren Tan, Curriculum Planning and Development Division

Dr. Darren Wong, Curriculum Planning and Development Division

 

Research Question: What were learning/teaching design features 

• simple or complex view, 
• how to design simple dropdown menu controls, 
• controls inputs via view or separate panel for interactions, 
• 2 or 3 dimension view, realistic and accurate model, 
• with or without mathematical modeling capabilities, 
• allow for creative scenario

in the App that students and teachers find useful for simulating and visualise Physics?

 

 

both gravity and modern with be in Term 2

To make video showing students talking about excitment to learn physics
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=efMu5i1zFBk&list=PLYIwRBA8ZhdM6_fg9pbuS-49JEnoA0LcV&index=1&t=3s

List of devices that does not support WebGL, no 3D on them.

• Samsung J1 Ace Android 5.1.1(probably a manufacturer defect?)

Dear Applicants

Title of Project: Apps as Virtual Laboratory

We are pleased to inform you that your project has been selected as an eduLab project, subjected to the following conditions:

1. The role of the consultant(s) in the proposed project need to be elaborated to provide greater clarity on the need for their continued involvement in the proposed project.
2. The proposed project budget will be reviewed and perhaps reduced.

We will send you further instructions and a letter of offer with details of the approved grant amount by Jan 2017. Meanwhile, there’s no immediate action required from you.

Thank you for championing innovations for learning with ICT! Enjoy your holidays and we wish you a great year ahead!

PS: Please note that the approved grant for your edulab project may differ from your submitted proposal depending on the recommendation of the eduLab Evaluation Panel. In addition, the grant is awarded based on the premise that the aims and deliverables stated in your approved proposal will be fulfilled. 



Elaboration


projected 7 days - Design new and enhanced Apps templates for simulation that can be used on Android and iOS Apps Development platforms that tap on both Google and Apple App development based on Easy JavaScript Simulation Modeling Tool (EjsS) and the Ionic Platform. This is not a trivial task as the creation of these Apps need to run seamlessly on both mobile App development platform using the same source codes that requires expert consultant to work on in Singapore.

projected 5 days -  have consultant to rapidly develop, test with students and teachers in face to face settings, site visit to Hwa Chong Institution to understand and propose better ways to serve the Apps

projected 13 days - Teach the project team members and how to create

• new simulations using drawing elements for scalar field for powerful display of phenomena not avaliable yet on Ejss.
• new simulations using 3D WebGL in color for 3D simulations in Apps
• new simulations using a better way to import 3D objects into Apps 
• enhance the mathematical modeling feature in App
• add/make video to explain concepts, adapt/design quiz maker, improve/better interaction between Apps and students
• teach project team how to harness the full power of low-level programming in EjsS as that undocumented JavaScript features can be deployed in our Apps
• debug and improve the Apps
• add native Google Store and iOS Game server for increase achievement unlock to motivate students

projected 1 day - to discuss, document and reflect about new functionality and features in future versions of EjsS and our Apps.
project 1 day to discuss about how to integrate Learning Analytics in Hwa Chong Institution Moodle Learning Management System in the learning process using our Apps.
projected scaling up 4 days workshop - conduct a 4 days workshop "Apps as Virtual Laboratory" at eduLab@AST for interested teachers and professors in NUS, NTU etc to use and customise our Apps.

 

total = 26 days consultant + 4 days workshop

 

based on the template proposed

per day Full professor =  \(500 per working day

26x 500 = \) 13 000 consultant
4x 1500 = \( 6000 workshop trainer

airfare and transport \) 2000

hotel per day = \(400

30x400 = 12 000

at \)33 000