Insight II: Investigative Stimuli for Intuitive Growth Using High Technology

本项目旨在确定在物理入门课程中向学生教授复杂物理概念的计算机模拟设计的关键方面。从教学上简单的系统到更接近自然模型的复杂系统的发展要求学生们开始相信方程式代表现实。图形表示有望成为连接物理系统和描述它们的方程的最佳方式。允许学生建立许多自己的图形表示，以验证模拟作为自然模型，帮助学生讨论，并改变学生的误解。我们将利用科学家们发现特别富有成效的表征和类比，但目前还没有包括在物理学入门课程中。我们计划研究新的图形工具的潜力，如三维显示和操作、替代输入设备和视频存储设备，用于显示学生可以建模的物理系统。

This project seeks to identify aspects critical to the design of computer simulations for teaching sophisticated physical concepts to students in introductory physics classes. The progression from pedagogically simple systems to complex systems that more closely model nature requires that students come to believe that equations represent reality. Graphical representations show promise in being the best way to connect physical systems and the equations that describe them. Allowing students to build many of their own graphical representations serves to validate simulations as models of nature, aid student discussion, and alter student misconceptions. We will draw on representations and analogies that scientists find particularly fruitful, but are not currently included in introductory physics courses. We plan to investigate the potential of new graphical tools such as three-dimensional displays and manipulations, alternative input devices, and video storage devices for displaying physical systems which students can model.