Re: [Phys-l] Simulated Labs for General Physics Course

[Karim Diff <karim.diff@gmail.com>]

Ann Reagan from the College of Southern Maryland has recently compiled
results from a survey she conducted about the use of online physics labs in
all its variations (simulations, kits, remote labs). She also describes her
own efforts to put together a kit of low-cost equipment that could allow
students to perform  real physics experiments at home. The paper is
accessible here:

Short link: http://is.gd/qOrkLG

Long link:

https://docs.google.com/leaf?id=0B50mzyvvI9X6NzY3ZjFmYTgtYTg1OS00YmJiLWI5MDktY2UyNGRiZTFlYzJk&hl=en


Karim Diff

On Fri, Jan 21, 2011 at 5:51 PM, Bernard Cleyet
<bernardcleyet@redshift.com>wrote:

> <I wrote this and fw hours ago and now discover not sent.>
>
>
> I simulated (wrote the leapfrog basic) the coupled spring oscillator
> supporting a pendulum**, because I didn't have the app.  I then purchased
> the app.  [Pasco and Vernier low friction cart, track, rotary optical
> ecoder, rod and masses, etc.]
>
> I hadn't included friction, which in the app. added to my understanding.
>
> Reinforcing what's already been written:
>
>
> According to the PER people simulatio are better at reaching principles.
>  Not intuitive , but perhaps for the very reason they are "bad" labs, ie
> ideal and w/o the physical stuff clutter.
>
> OTOH th ephysicla clutter is necesary to develop experimental techniques.
>  It's nto an acciden most grad students (even some theory ones at UCSC) are
> required to take a shop course.
>
> Knowledge gained kiesthetically is supposed to be the best learned and
> retained.
>
>
> ** and this was to explain an unexplaned behaviour found by an Horologist.
>
> On 2011, Jan 20, , at 11:45, ludwik kowalski wrote:
>
> > I agree with both of you. Simulations help us to explore consequences of
> theoretically formulated statements. Ideally, all simulation programs should
> be written by those who use them.
> > Ludwik
>
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