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“Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations” in Physical Review Special Topics

See our paper “Factors promoting engaged exploration with computer simulations” in Physical Review ST to learn more about how features of PhET sims enable students to pose questions and answer them in ways that may not be supported by more traditional educational materials.

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Monday

Nov 22

2010

11 Comments | Add your comment ↓

  1. TAN THIAM HOCK #

    Can you please let me know:
    After a balloon is rubbed on a sweater and sticks to a wall,
    1. how long will it stick to the wall?
    2. will the number of time of rubbing affect the time for the balloon to stick to the wall?
    3. If the answer to 2 is yes, is it the more the number of times of rubbing, the longer the time the balloon will stick to the wall?
    4. Will there be a maximun? That is after rubbing for x times, then the time for the balloon to stick to the wall will not increase any more?

    I would appreciate it if you could give me the answers.

    Thank you very much.

  2. I couldn’t access this resource, is this an intermittant issue?

  3. Computer simulations have become a useful part of mathematical modeling of many natural systems in physics (computational physics), astrophysics, chemistry and biology, human systems in economics, psychology, social science, and engineering. We welcome engaged exploration of computer simulations. Happy New Year.

  4. Mark Carolissen #

    Hi.

    I work for the Khanya Project in South Africa and have been promoting the use of PhET Sims in classrooms for the past few years now. I downloaded it from a Freedom Toaster we have at the University of Cape Town or the MTN Science Centre(which has been closed).

    I have played with some of the sims but want to spend more time for in depth study. The result of this is to do an M.Ed focussing on e-learning and Physics or alternatively a MTech in educational technology. I will download all papers contributors have written so that I can formulate a study here in South Africa. Alternatively, if you have any areas you feel I can look at, I will make the time to explore them.

    Thank you for making this resource available freely.

  5. Computer simulation are increasingly important as a way of modeling increasingly complex problems. As you mention, modelers can change one variable and note the resulting effects, which often are unpredictable or counter-intuitive. Wave interference with areas of multiple refractive indexes and multiple reflection surfaces can generate some intriguing results.

  6. I’ve always liked computer simulations. They provide a unique insight into most scientific situations!

  7. To be honest its frightening to think where we would be without computer simulation!

  8. Computer simulations are a very important in todays society , simulations are the closes scientfic research that we currently have today.

  9. Very good .. learning that supports students to be better ..

  10. Very interesting, so students will have a better experience

  11. In my opinion
    Wave interference with areas of multiple refractive indexes and multiple reflection surfaces can generate some intriguing results.
    Thanks so much !



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