SIMULATION TIME!!!

Vector analysis…Don’t forget the direction, please!

A physical quantity could be either scalar or vector quantity.  Scalar analysis should be as easy as a pies but the vector analysis might be quite challenging.  It requires calculation that also consider the direction of motion as well.  Attempt question written on the paper requires students to imagine it by themselves.  Some students able to do this but some of them need a visual aid.  So, animation could be a better alternative.

So, I start searching for interesting simulation and found quite a number of websites that offer it such as Physcis Classroom, Phet simulation etc.  Choosing the most suitable simulation is very important.  Some simulation might be too sophisticated to handle which will be time consuming.  So, choose the one that the simulation suits your students’ level of thinking and meet your learning objective.  Remember, technology should be a learning aid not the other way round.

After attempt a few websites, I choose Vector analysis simulation offered by  physicsclassroom.com website .  This is because it provides a simple and helpful tool.  Ideally, it is better if every student could explore it by himself or herself but due to some limitation, I decided to project the simulation using LCD projector in the laboratory.  To make it more interesting, I asked them to work with their partner.  Each pair is given a mini whiteboard to write their answer.  Then, they need to raise the whiteboard to show their answer.  How excited they were when having the chance to write on the whiteboard.

The activity requires them to observe an animation then calculate the distance and displacement respectively.  There are situations of car in a parking lot, skier on the gold course and shopping car on aisle.  For the first attempt, they request to repeat the animation a few times before calculating the distance and displacement.  Only one-third of the class able to answer correctly.  For the second attempt, half of the class manage to give a correct answer.  In the third attempts, all of them able to get the correct answers.   A big clap for themselves!!!

From my observation, they enjoy the activity so much.  It is quite challenging to analyze a moving object at first.  However, they took the challenge and try to improve. As a result, there is improvement after several attempts.  Other than that, they also show good cooperation among them.  I found that some of them try to explain the concept to their partner during the activity.

Overall, simulation give more lively experiences to the students which helps them to relate it with the daily life activities especially those who is visual person.  However, it is quite challenging to find simulation that meet our objective.  So, creating your own simulation might be the next solutions.  For a more sophisticated one, teacher should try it beforehand and sometimes setting the properties prior to the class will help to save time.  Looking forward to explore more website for more simulations.