Re: [Phys-l] simulations, was ADVICE ON LAB EQUIPMENT

[Rick Tarara <rtarara@saintmarys.edu>]

Let me note that I have a series of lab simulation software available 
free--see below.  These ARE NOT the kind of simulations that John Clement is 
referring to, but rather photo-realistic simulations of actual experiments 
generally done in introductory programs.  In fact, there is one package for 
air tracks and another for the Pasco style carts.  I primarily had two goals 
in developing these.  First was to have a pre/post lab tool so that students 
could be familiar with the equipment and procedures before coming to lab and 
second was to have a tool to deal with students who missed labs for excused 
reasons and needed to 'make up' the experience.  To that end, what these 
simulations provide is a way to virtually conduct the experiment.  Data can 
be collected, but it must be recorded in a lab notebook and then the 
analysis of the data needs to be done in the normal way.  That is, the 
computer does NOT do the analysis or the data collection.  A third, but 
quite minor goal from my perspective, was to provide a way for equipment 
poor programs to perhaps do a particular experiment for which no equipment 
funds were available if the instructor deemed the particular experience to 
be worthwhile.

Seeing that I get many downloads of this software going to countries outside 
of the U.S. and western Europe, I suspect that they may be being used for a 
more extensive virtual lab experience.  As I think of it right now, these 
tools could be used in a homework mode for classes that have no formal 
lab--so that is an OK goal too.

Anyway, if you do any of the experiments listed (see web pages) you might 
check out the software as a pre/post lab tool.  Sorry but these are Windows 
only programs.  I will probably revisit all of these next year, updating as 
needed (fine tuning animation techniques in light of newer, faster 
computers).

Rick

***************************
Richard W. Tarara
Professor of Physics
Saint Mary's College
Notre Dame, IN
rtarara@saintmarys.edu
******************************
Free Physics Software
PC & Mac
www.saintmarys.edu/~rtarara/software.html
*******************************


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>
Subject: Re: [Phys-l] simulations, was ADVICE ON LAB EQUIPMENT


> It turns out that labs or simulations are very powerful ways of 
> stimulating
> students to deeply think about the physical situations.  As such they can 
> be
> used to dispel deeply imbedded misconceptions.  Indeed, Hake Socratic 
> Dialog
> labs show very high gain, although they do not expose students to
> sophisticated equipment.