Use of Interactive Technology to Promote Active Learning in Physics Priscilla W. Laws Research Professor of Physics Dickinson College, USA ALOP 2007 Workshop

Use of Interactive TechnologyUse of Interactive Technology

to Promote Active Learning in Physicsto Promote Active Learning in Physics

Priscilla W. LawsResearch Professor of Physics

Dickinson College, USA

ALOP 2007 Workshop in SALOP 2007 Workshop in São Pauloão Paulo, Brazil, Brazil

Activity Based PhysicsActivity Based PhysicsActivity Based PhysicsActivity Based Physics

Combining Physics Education Research (PER) with computer

tools to enhance learning in introductory courses

ABP Group*ABP Group*ABP Group*ABP Group*

Pat Cooney Karen Cummings Priscilla Laws David Sokoloff E.F. Redish Ron Thornton

Maxine Willis John Garrett David Jackson Scott Franklin Kerry Browne Bob Teese

* Supported off and on since 1986 by : National Science Foundation (USA)U.S. Department of Education (FIPSE)The Charles A. Dana Foundation

ABP Group ActivitiesABP Group ActivitiesABP Group ActivitiesABP Group Activities

Curriculum development

Apparatus Design

Computer Hardware & Software Design

Physics Education Research

Dissemination

Activity Based Learning EnvironmentActivity Based Learning EnvironmentActivity Based Learning EnvironmentActivity Based Learning Environment

Students construct knowledge from their own observations and peer discussions

Students are challenged to compare predictions (based on their beliefs) to their own observations

Students change their beliefs when confronted by differences between their initial beliefs and their own observations and experiments

Instructor is a guide rather than an authority

Using ComputersUsing ComputersUsing ComputersUsing Computers

Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition Hardware (CADA)Hardware (CADA)

Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition Hardware (CADA)Hardware (CADA)

Interface to USB Port on

Computer

Force Sensor

Motion Detector

Temperature Sensor

* Vernier Software & Technology (www.vernier.com)

** PASCO scientific (www. pasco.com)

Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition SoftwareSoftware

Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition Computer-Assisted Data Acquisition SoftwareSoftware

Interface to USB Port on

Computer

Force Sensor

Motion Detector

Temperature Sensor

* Vernier Software & Technology (www.vernier.com)

** PASCO scientific (www. pasco.com)

Collect Data from one or more sensors in “real time”

Position Sound waves Temperature Magnetic Field Pressure Current and Voltage And many more

Insert a video and analyze positions on each frame

An Example of CADAAn Example of CADAAn Example of CADAAn Example of CADA

The Ultrasonic Motion Detector

Learning Kinematics with an ultrasonic Motion Detector first by walking and then by observing the motions of low friction carts with attached fans

Computer Assisted Data Acquisition Computer Assisted Data Acquisition & Analysis Tools (CADAA)& Analysis Tools (CADAA)


Learning Kinematics with an ultrasonic Motion Detector first by walking and then by observing the motions of low friction carts with attached fans

Open Kinematics.cmbl file



Video Capture & Analysis SoftwareVideo Capture & Analysis SoftwareVideo Capture & Analysis SoftwareVideo Capture & Analysis Software

Capture Software:

LoggerPro or VideoPoint Capture

Demonstration of LoggerPro Video Demonstration of LoggerPro Video ToolsTools

Demonstration of LoggerPro Video Demonstration of LoggerPro Video ToolsTools

1. Capture

2. Analysis

Open Movie Capture and Analysis

Why Newton’s Laws Are Hard to Why Newton’s Laws Are Hard to TeachTeach

Why Newton’s Laws Are Hard to Why Newton’s Laws Are Hard to TeachTeach

the 1st law is unbelievable

the 2nd law is incomprehensible

the 3rd law is mere religious incantation

–Jon Ogborn

How Students Use Computer Tools How Students Use Computer Tools to Understand Newton’s Lawto Understand Newton’s Law

How Students Use Computer Tools How Students Use Computer Tools to Understand Newton’s Lawto Understand Newton’s Law

Newton’s First LawNewton’s First LawNewton’s First LawNewton’s First Law

Computer SoftwareComputer SoftwareComputer SoftwareComputer Software

Use the LoggerPro Software with either:

A motion detector or

Video capture and analysis

Box on carpet

Cart on Track

Verifying Newton’s 1st Law by Verifying Newton’s 1st Law by Inductive Reason and ExperimentsInductive Reason and Experiments

Verifying Newton’s 1st Law by Verifying Newton’s 1st Law by Inductive Reason and ExperimentsInductive Reason and Experiments

Newton’s Second LawNewton’s Second LawNewton’s Second LawNewton’s Second Law

Relate Force and Acceleration by Relate Force and Acceleration by Using a Motion Detector & Force Using a Motion Detector & Force

SensorSensor

Relate Force and Acceleration by Relate Force and Acceleration by Using a Motion Detector & Force Using a Motion Detector & Force

SensorSensor

Wireless Force & Acceleration SensorWireless Force & Acceleration SensorWireless Force & Acceleration SensorWireless Force & Acceleration Sensor

Newton’s Second Law using a Force Sensor & Motion Detector (or Accelerometer)



Open Fvs.A.cmbl

Newton’s Third LawNewton’s Third LawNewton’s Third LawNewton’s Third Law



Verify Newton’s Third Law using Remote Force Sensors

Open Car-Truck_Synch2.mov

Open Run2_CarTruckData&Photos.cmbl

Our Philosophy of Computer UseOur Philosophy of Computer UseOur Philosophy of Computer UseOur Philosophy of Computer Use

Flexible tools to explore and model the real world through direct investigation

Transferable computer skills

Not used as a tutorial device

Simulations only used if real experience is inaccessible

Evaluating Student LearningEvaluating Student LearningEvaluating Student LearningEvaluating Student Learning

Conceptual EvaluationsConceptual EvaluationsConceptual EvaluationsConceptual Evaluations

The Force Motion Concept Evaluation (FMCE)

The Heat and Temperature Concept Evaluation (HTCE)

The Light and Optics Concept Evaluation (LOCE)

The Electric Circuits Concept Evaluation (ECCE)

The Mathematical Modeling Concept Evaluation (MMCE)

The Vector Evaluation Test (VET)

http://physics.dickinson.edu/~wp_web/wp_resources/wp_assessment.html

The Force & Motion Conceptual The Force & Motion Conceptual Evaluation (FMCE)Evaluation (FMCE)

The Force & Motion Conceptual The Force & Motion Conceptual Evaluation (FMCE)Evaluation (FMCE)

Results of Pre & Post Testing using Activity Based Physics Curricula

Traditional Instruction FMCE ResultsTraditional Instruction FMCE ResultsTraditional Instruction FMCE ResultsTraditional Instruction FMCE Results

Force & Motion Conceptual Evaluation

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NaturalLanguage

GraphicalEvaluation

Coin Toss Cart on Ramp

% Students Giving Newtonian Answers

Pre TestPost Test

University of Oregon ‘89- ‘ 90N = 240 students

RealTime Physics FMCE ResultsRealTime Physics FMCE ResultsUniversity of OregonUniversity of Oregon

RealTime Physics FMCE ResultsRealTime Physics FMCE ResultsUniversity of OregonUniversity of Oregon

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20

30

40

50

60

70

80

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100

NaturalLanguage

GraphicalEvaluation

Coin Toss Cart on Ramp% Students Giving Newtonian

Answers

Pre Test NC (N = 240, '89-'91)

After RTP Labs NC & C (N = 630, '92-'94)

Very New ProductsVery New ProductsVery New ProductsVery New Products

1. LabQuest (Vernier Software & Technology

2. Classroom Spectrometry

3. The $100 USD Computer: OOne LLaptop PPer CChild (OLPCOLPC)

Vernier Software & Vernier Software & TechnologyTechnology

www.vernier.comwww.vernier.com

Vernier Software & Vernier Software & TechnologyTechnology

www.vernier.comwww.vernier.com

• A hand held device

• Screen can be seen outdoors

• Compatable with 30 or more Vernier Sensors

• Data can be collected and analyzed immediately

• Has 6 sensor inputs

Screen can be seen outdoors

Use as interface with a computer

Transfer Data to a computer or memory stick

QuickTime™ and aTIFF (Uncompressed) decompressor

are needed to see this picture.

Beer’s Law: Absorbance vs.

Concentration for NiSO4

OLPC Under Development byOLPC Under Development byFormer MIT Media Lab FacultyFormer MIT Media Lab FacultyOLPC Under Development byOLPC Under Development byFormer MIT Media Lab FacultyFormer MIT Media Lab Faculty

SpecificationsSpecificationsSpecificationsSpecifications

LCD and Black & White displays at 200dpi (900x1200)

Microphone & 3 USB Connectors

Video Camera

Wireless communication

Runs 6 v. Battery (NiMH)

Graphic InterfaceGraphic InterfaceGraphic InterfaceGraphic Interface

Documents

Use of Interactive Technology to Promote Active Learning in Physics Priscilla W. Laws Research Professor of Physics Dickinson College, USA ALOP 2007 Workshop