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November 15, 2001
Into the Digital Lab with Physics Software
By Mike Brown
From exploring the laws of gravity to testing out a new space-time theory, high school students can do a little bit of everything with these physics programs.
Albert Einstein once said, "Things should be made as simple as possible, but not any simpler." Simplifying physics concepts for students is certainly not an easy task. Fortunately, the programs we review here offer new options for studying and testing the laws that govern everything from the motion of objects in the universe to the structure of the atom. Using animation, video, and simulation exercises, students can manipulate sophisticated on-screen objects and environments in ways that give an immediate understanding of complex theories and principles.
We evaluated four programs-ranging from basic tutorials for home use to multi-disc packages designed to supplement the science curriculum-for their illustrative animation and multimedia elements, the quality of their interactive components (including opportunities for student experimentation), and their attention to core concepts in the high school science curriculum. Even Einstein would appreciate the ways these products simplify complex physics concepts without diluting them. He might suggest, though, as we do, that publishers include Web resources in future upgrades to these programs, adding even more information and resources for students to test out their theories and to guide their learning.
Crocodile Physics
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| Physics concepts come to life with Crocodile Physics on-screen simulation lab |
(Crocodile Clips Limited)
Crocodile Physics is a complete electronic physics package incorporating Absorb High School Physics, an electronic courseware package, and the Crocodile Physics interactive simulator, an on-screen simulation lab for experimentation. Absorb High School Physics courseware covers 18 chapters of physics information ranging from principles of basic measurement to optics. Interactive, animated demonstrations complement core physics concepts in each section of this e-book. Students can experiment with and manipulate many of the 90 example demonstrations to do such things as change projectile angles and velocity to measure distance.
The Crocodile simulator lets kids explore and test any of the core concepts discussed in the courseware. They can perform numerous activities and experiments using the rich simulator toolbars that visually organize options. For example, a books toolbar lets students toggle between chapters of Absorb courseware and activities, while the picture toolbar takes them to activities with basic circuits, switches, and batteries. Once they complete activities, students can graph the data collected from experiments, print the graph, and save the simulation for future reference. Additionally, the simulator makes optimal use of Flash technology, which allows kids to move and manipulate objects, e.g., students will like setting up circuits by connecting pictures of components to see if they work correctly. After selecting needed components, such as a battery, switch, or electric motor, users can then arrange and connect working parts. If connected correctly, lights on the circuit board illuminate or a trial motor will spin, complete with motor sounds.
While the broad scope of the package is somewhat intimidating and its menus complicated, Crocodile Physics is a very complete program that would work well with both high school and college students.
Physics by Pictures
(Physics Academic Software)
This seemingly antiquated offering, distributed on two floppy disks and designed to run in DOS or Windows in a DOS shell, is an impressive program that surprised me with its high-quality graphics, animation, and instruction. Produced by Physicon, Ltd. of Russia, this comprehensive package teaches concepts in mechanics, optics, and electric and quantum mechanics. A key feature of Physics by Pictures is its potential for universal use on just about any computer-from Intel 286-based computers up.
Except for embedded video and animations, Physics by Pictures offers most of the features of the other programs reviewed here, including physics equations and historical background. Tutorials also let students design their own interactive experiments. For example, in the optics unit, students experiment with the formation of the umbra and penumbra during a lunar eclipse. In doing so, they learn the physics behind the formation of eclipses and calculate the size of shadows based on the size of the object causing the eclipse and its distance from a light source. Integrated help features, such as a scientific calculator, common physics formulas and tables, units and conversions table, glossary of physics terms, and printing options, also accompany the program. A physics history section provides simulations of major concepts found in physical laws, such as Brownian movement, which describes the random movement of particles when exposed to heat. Each chapter lets students vary simulations and autocorrects unit quizzes. Overall, Physics by Pictures is an affordably priced, quality program covering key physics concepts.
Super Tutor Physics 1 Plus
(Homeworkhelp.com)
Super Tutor Physics 1 Plus is the first of a two-part software series that includes eight chapters of animated tutorials on balanced forces, motion, gravitation, work, energy, momentum, and temperature, with multiple-choice quizzes built into each unit. An electronic notebook lets students take notes on lessons, and well-explained video sequences of teachers performing and explaining demonstrations help illustrate difficult concepts. For example, in the video explaining horizontal and vertical motion, a teacher drops two steel balls at the same time. One is released without movement, and the other is accelerated horizontally. Both balls hit the floor at the same time, illustrating the point that gravitational acceleration is separate from horizontal acceleration.
Additionally, engaging animated story sections introduce key concepts of each chapter. In particular, the section on motion begins with a story about how Rube Goldberg machines work and then looks at examples of how different gravities would impact the story of Newton's apple.
While video demonstrations of teachers working in the lab are an excellent feature of this package, too much animation can be distracting and might send students off task.
In particular, users begin the tutorial in a room with four doors and a narrated scenario, but only one door is for the physics program; the others direct users to advertisements for additional software products. Nevertheless, high school students in need of an effective, self-paced tutorial will find this program helpful after these opening scenes.
The World of Physics
(Intellectum Plus Inc.)
The World of Physics, a four-part module in a hefty 12-CD set, addresses concepts in mechanics, heat and temperature, electricity and magnetism, and light and optics. Students explore these topics with several of the program's tools, such as tutorials, real-life examples, a funny story section, questions for the teacher, and a fun fact area called "tell your friends," where kids can find trivia to share with their peers (e.g., everyone knows the first law of thermodynamics, but who can define the second?). Help features include a table explaining the minimum math required to calculate physics problems, formulas needed to solve them, a calculator, and a handy data list on planets, as well as common melting, boiling, and freezing points.
Modules begin with relevant history and an explanation of the key concept with diagrams. Kids can select either a mathematical illustration of the concept or a real-world situation in which people are using that concept. Students then work on problems generated within the module and click on the animation engine button to see concepts in motion, along with a spoken narrative explaining the concept and how it works. For example, kids begin their study of measurement by reading about ancient scholars like Pythagoras so they understand the history behind measurement systems.
From here they proceed to diagrams showing the measurements of length, width, and depth. After working through a series of problems-for example, measuring the length of a desk using a pen and ruler as measuring devices-students can either click on the animation engine button to see measurement in motion or visit the problem summaries that conclude each chapter.
A key feature of this program is its rich assessment and tracking options. A password-protected area lets teachers assign their students to the various CD-ROMs in the series and track their performance and learning patterns according to the types of questions they answer. Teachers can then review responses and focus on weak areas with students.
Mike Brown is director of the Coastal Studies and Technology Center and teaches science and computer technology at Seaside High School in Seaside, Ore.
Editor's note: T&L's staff and editors evaluate only those products we can endorse for educational use. Web site reviews are based on content and tools that are available and accurate at the date of publication.
We'd like to thank Apple Computer and Gateway for loaning us the equipment to perform in-house evaluations.
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