Learn PhET

Introduction

PhET is a collection of simulations that can be integrated in classroom teaching-learning. We will look at two examples of simulations.

PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. These tests include student interviews and observation of simulation use in classrooms. The simulations are written in Java, Flash or HTML5, and can be run online or downloaded to your computer. All simulations are open source (see our source code). Multiple sponsors support the PhET project, enabling these resources to be free to all students and teachers.

ICT Competency

Subject (Science and Maths) resource creation

Educational application and relevance

PhET simulations are very flexible tools that can be used in many ways. Here, you will find videos and resources for learning about effective ways of integrating PhET simulations into your class.

For this we will need to open an application called PhET on the computer. You can find PhET under Applications> Education> Science. PhET is an educational resource that contains computer demonstrations of experiments and activities. When we click on Play with sims – it will open simulations in various subjects. We will click on Physics and scroll down to the simulation on Pendulum Lab. When we want to open a simulation, we click on the green rectangle which says “Run Now”.

Version

PhET Version - 1.1.7

Configuration

System tools → preferences → main menu → Select science → Click on NEW ITEM → Name – PhET → Command- firefox /opt/PhET/index.html → OK

Overview of Features

PhET is virtual lab , It has many subject based virtual labs included - Chemistry, Physics, biology and Maths .

Visual Aids and Demos By using sims as an animated illustration, nstructors find that it is easier to communicate effectively with their students. The sims show dynamic processes and these can be slowed down, sped up, or paused,depending on the concept being shown; the invisible is made visible; and multiple representations are linked.Finally,the sims are easily adjusted by the instructor during the discussion. These features often make sims more effective for learning and more practical to use than static drawings or live demos.

Student-driven Discussions PhET is designed to help students develop science inquiry skills by exploring cause - and - effect relationships. Instructors can facilitate whole -class inquiry by creating a scenario in the simulation, and asking students to predict the effect of manipulating variables. In such classrooms, students often spontaneously ask many more, and deeper questions. It is common for students to ask a series of “what - if” questions and direct the teachers’ use of the sim .

Other similar applications

Virtual Laboratory

Working with the application

Functionalities

Step 1 - 1. Notice where the pendulum is – is it higher, lower or at the same level as the central position? 2. Notice the graph – what are the two variables on the bar chart? 3. What do you think will happen to the pendulum next?	Step 2 - 4. Notice where the pendulum is – has it moved? What can you say about its movement? 5. Notice the graph – what are the variables on the bar chart? What are the values of PE and KE as compared to total energy?
Step 3 - 6. Notice where the pendulum is – has it moved? Is it higher or lower than the central position? 7. Did you notice anything about the speed of the bob as it moves from one extreme position to another? 8. Notice the graph – what are the variables on the bar chart? 9. What has happened to the values of the KE and PE as compared to total energy? 10. What do you think is happening? Is this what you will think will happen when you try this experiment? Why? Why not? What is different?	Step 4 - 11. Notice where the pendulum is. This extreme position to the right is at a different height than. Why? What role does friction play and where does it come from 12. Look at the graph – what are the variables in the bar chart? Where has the thermal energy come from? What do you expect will happen to the simple pendulum?

Saving the file

PhET Simulation does not have its own file format, which you can save the web link in .html formate. However you can create image files of the PhET you are working on, by using the screenshot application.

Export and publishing files

You can create an image file from PhET Simulaion through the using the screenshot application.

Installation

Method of installation	Steps
From Ubuntu software Centre	Steps - Not avilable
From Terminal	Steps -
From the web	Steps -
Web based registration	Steps - https://phet.colorado.edu/

The application on mobiles and tablets

PhET can also be downloaded for the mobile from Google Playstore

Ideas for resource creation

You can use the activities in PhET.

References

https://phet.colorado.edu/