Physlets: Teaching Physics with Interactive Curricular Material

This manual/CD package shows physics instructors―both web novices and Java savvy programmers alike―how to author their own interactive curricular material using Physlets. Java physlets are applets written for physics pedagogy that can be embedded directly into html documents and that can interact with the user. This guide demonstrates the use of Physlets in conjunction with JavaScript to deliver a wide variety of web-based interactive physics activities, and provides examples of Physlets created for classroom demonstrations, traditional and Just-in-Time Teaching homework problems, pre- and post-laboratory exercises, and Interactive Engagement activities. More than just a technical how-to book, the manual gives instructors some ideas about the new possibilities that Physlets offer, and is designed to make the transition to using Physlets quick and easy.

"You hold in your hand more than just another book about computational physics. Physlets are a tool enviornment―a method that will allow you to integrate the computer into your classroom in a way that is easy and powerful for both you and your students. Even better, it's a tool that can help us together build a community of physics instructors using computer tools and working together to improve physics teaching throughout the world."―From the foreword by Joe Redish, University of Maryland

"The first problem I wrote for the Superposition Physlet was one on traveling waves. As I watch individual students interact with the animation, I was able to pinpoint where they were having difficulty in understanding the conditions for standing wave formation. In 23 years of teaching, this is the best tool I've found to help students comprehend wave superposition."―Loren Winters, NC School of Science and Math

"I have found that the Physlet problems are a great tool to help students to understand the physics concepts. The Physlet problems help to develop student's ability to visualize concepts."―Mark Hardies, St. Petersburg Junior College

"The physics community should tank the authors for developing the concept of scriptable Java applets that can be easily integrated into our courses. Their approach is very promising and this book will make it easier for us to use this approach in our curriculum development work."―Harvey Gould, Clark University and Jan Tobochnick, Kalamazoo College

"Physlet-based problems are an invaluable tool in challenging students to learn how to solve physics problems and in helping them develop problem-solving strategies. Physlets force students to move beyond their initial novice approach of "plug and chug" as they must decide what "data" they need from the Physlet to work a problem."―Anne Cox, Eckerd College

"We have found Physlets to be an excellent way to deliver pre-lab information and quizzes in our introductory physics courses. The students are presented with virtual equipment and experiences similar to those they will have in the laboratory. They are asked to make measurements and perform calculations exactly like those that will eventually be required in the laboratory. Physlets have become an important tool at Gustavus to ensure that students arrive prepared to get the maximum benefit from their two-hour physics labs, allowing them plenty of time for analysis and discussion of their results."―Chuck Niederriter, Gustavus Adolphus College

"Although there isn't a single pedagogic magic bullet toe motivate and excite all physics students, the interactive and web-based Physlets bullet will certainly capture the imaginations of a great deal of today's students who have grown up on and thrive on multimedia exploration. It is a laboratory the students will visit again and again."―Edward Deveney, Bridgewater State College

"Physlets are an amazing tool for learning physics concepts. They're fun, they're free, but even better than that, they enable students to learn ideas quickly. The visual impact allows a quick, intuitive grasp of physics, enabling students to have a better feel for the theories. The associated numerical data invites quantitative analysis. It is active, involved investigation at its best."―Bill Junkin, Erskin College