Joe Santonacita – student blog

The model I was examining in NetLogo was for Ohm’s Law, see link below…

In other classes I have explored the pros and cons of simulations for student learning in physics. Ohm’s law was a very good simulation, however in playing around with it I found out there are some pitfalls when using it in the classroom. I believe if we are to utilize simulations we should be critical of what they are a supposed to represent and how they differ from reality. Your personal preference on how critical you would like to be really depends on your learning objectives for class.

The Ohm’s Law simulation is excellent for show the movement of electrons through a conductor. You can trace the motion of an electron through the material and the program measures the potential difference from end to end.

However, there are some difficulties students may run into in utilizing this in class.
a. The electrons collide with other particles which are not shown. So students may think the electrons just travel as if they moving at random.
b. The parts (+/-) of the “battery” are on opposite sides of the screen.

Lunar Lander… and new take on a good oldie.

From the its debut in 1973 at a trade show to demonstrate the capabilities of the DSE GT40 graphics terminal to the arcade… many version of this classic have emerged some from basic programers to more advanced (see PhET lunar lander @ phet.colorado.edu)

this version is a quality amateur version (I couldn’t do any better).

1. Physics Project
2. Why wikia? it is a program where students can easily put in their opinion, settle on certain topics easily and something that is fluid and a work in progress, rather than a post. They also can post photos easily.
3. The learning goals of my project…
   a. To apply impulse/momentum to a real life situation–the crumple zone on a car.
   b. To have students go thorugh the process of editing an researching the physics and its practical application.
   c. To have students learn how to utilize a wiki.
4. Students must create a model crumple zone that will have to hold together an egg, thus trying to affect the force exerted over a period that changes it momentum. Instead of typing a paper, students can do their own research, contribute and edit from home and post it in one convienent place.
5. The wiki will be graded for various aspects at during times for certain criteria… for example an initial design, the research behind their design, a final design with supporting research, and an anylsis of the physics governing their collision and what each group is trying to achieve.
6. The largest challenge is to get everyone to contriubute and to teach them how to use the technology. The opportunities can be tremendous because students can work at all times on this and if done early in the year, you could use it for other quarters.