1 THE VISUALIZATION AS AN EFFECTIVE TOOL IN PHYSICS TEACHING Author: Mag.Phys. Aivars Krons University of Latvia

2 Applying and development of IT () in Physics Education at Secondary School Applying and development of IT (information technologies) in Physics Education at Secondary School The aim of this presentation is to clarify the answers on the following questions: 1. Is it efficient to visualize physical phenomena today? 2. What benefit do we receive from visualization? 3. Why this educational method is useful and urgent in nowdays? 4. For who it is necessary to visualize physical phenomena? 5. How and does visualization helps us to understand nature phenomenon better? 6. Why or not to use IT?

3 Development of IT in Physics Education at Secondary School E = mc 2 Introduction The main task is – how to make your imagination visual?

4 Development of IT in Physics Education at Secondary School Physics teaching has always tried to use the visualization of physical phenomena. For this reason we should use new educational methods and devote all our efforts to stimulate youth interest in science.

5 Development of IT in Physics Education at Secondary School Experience comes from interaction with a learning environment L E S S O N S of physics GEVF Theory Experiments, scientific research & labwork Life practice

6 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School Today it is necessary to understand that computer visualization helps teachers and students to understand and study physical phenomena much better.

7 Applying ICT in Physics Education at Secondary School The visualization methods such as demonstrations, simulations, models, graphs, films, animations, videos and different other applets can help students to better understand the physical concepts and phenomena.

8 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School To ensure a well-organized and up to date learning process of physics one of the tasks is to improve teachers’ skills of using information technologies.

9 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School Consequently the visualization is significant in physics problem solving. The visual presentation of physical phenomena and their models and, experimental data and their mathematical description, helps students to formulate correct conclusions. The main aspect of visualization is to make teaching process obvious.

10 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School Research in Physics Education T h e o r y of Physics Education – Physics Didactics (content and methods of Physics education) Development of Physics Education P r a c t i c e of Physics Education (content and methods of Physics education) Development of General Education Visual Physics (GEVF) GEVF

11 Devoloping IT in Physics Education at Secondary school W h y do we develop GE Visual Physics? W h a t do we develop here? How do we develop it? These are the basic questions for all kinds of education For the development and higher effectiveness of modern General Physics the main thing is - the correlation of Educational mthodes of teaching contents together with applying IT (information technologies)

12 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School Physics is often seen as a collection of subfields. GEVF Nowadays there is an urgant need to increasa the effectiveness and serious improvement of the development of modern General Physics Education for all (Why !!! ). One of the ways to solve this problem is GEVF. As one of the education methodes it plays the significant role in this case.

13 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School 1. Example – a simple circuit construction The circuit construction is a simulation that allows students to build virtual circuits containing a number of different elements. A pedagogically useful feature of the simulation is that it displays motion of the electrons, shown here in blue. Students who work with the interactive simulations are better able to understand and build real-life circuits. Such simulations are available at the Physics Education Technology website

14 Applying ICT in Physics Education at Secondary School 1. Example - result An electronics kit in your computer! Task Build circuits with resistors, light bulbs, batteries, and switches. Take measurements with the realistic ammeter and voltmeter. View the circuit as a schematic diagram, or switch to a life-like view. V

15 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School 2. Example Task Hang masses from springs and adjust the spring stiffness and damping. You can even slow time. Transport the lab to different planets. A chart shows the kinetic, potential, and thermal energy for each spring. Learning Goals: Students will be able to explain how the mass of the given physical body determines spring deformations. Then they will be able to use the spring to determine the mass of an unknown object. “ Visualization of physical body and spring interaction ”

16 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School Using PhET simulations for Physical Science for Middle School Do you want to help your students make sense of Physics? Interactive simulations can help students develop their ideas about physics through life-like investigations and inquiry based lessons. This workshop helps to design effective lessons. The PhET project provides a free website of simulations that are designed to support student learning. This workshop helps to design effective lessons. Using these guidelines helps to provide activities for students to construct their own understanding of physics ideas. Check out the PhET website at

17 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School When pupils find their classes interesting, they are more willing to participate in learning process!!! When pupils find their classes interesting, they are more willing to participate in learning process!!!, also the atmosphere in class is positive and that inspires cooperation between pupils and their teacher of physics. CONCLUSION

18 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School CONCLUSION 1. Interactive physics enables users to model a wide range of physical phenomena. 2. The use of IT facilities is most beneficial and helpful in the fields where it is impossible to demonstrate a real experiment or where there are no appropriate tools available. 3. By investigation the IT facilities we can find out new alternatives in physics teaching. 4. It is possible to turn complicated into simple.

19 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School CONCLUSION Personal challenge determines the professional development of teachers. Expected professionalism from teachers is to be a source of information and knowledge and to adopte the teaching methodes through which the knowledge could be transmitted. These are the answers on two urging questions: Who needs it? 1. Who needs it? 2. Why do we need it?

20 Applying IT in Physics Education at Secondary School References 1. A.Broks. A universal structure of managing purposeful actions by humans : an aid for developing the content of modern general education. - Journal “Humanities and social sciences. Latvia”, University of Latvia, 2(42)2004 (pp.59-68). 2. Krons A., 2007, Vizuāli izglītojošā fizika: maģistra darbs (VEP: master work). Rīga: Latvijas Universitāte. 3. Funda O, 2008, Models in Science Education: Applications of Models in Learning and Teaching Science: International Journal of Environmental & Science Education, 2008, 3 (2), 35 – 45 [available online march 2008]. 4. Stephen G. Benka The entangled dance of physics – Physics Today (journal) December 2006, page 51 Thank you for attention!