DynamicsLab: Interactive Physics Simulations for Intermediate Classical Mechanics

该项目旨在通过帮助物理学生对物理现象进行深入的概念和数学理解来服务于国家利益。几十年的物理教育研究表明，学生很难将复杂的物理现象与数学形式联系起来，这限制了他们创新的机会。特别是在高等物理课程中，这些联系是动态的：数学形式化可以加深对物理现象的理解，物理现象的复杂性可以推动数学形式化的发展。本项目将为中级经典力学这门核心物理课程开发两个特定的模拟软件，这门课程是第一个将高级数学与物理相结合的课程。这些模拟——被称为DynamicsLab——将引导学生通过两种物理现象和相关数学表示的联系、互动可视化，获得对物理现象的数学和物理表示的深刻概念理解。此外，该项目将使用基于设计的研究来加深对如何在物理背景下提高学生数学学习的理解。该项目旨在迭代地开发、完善和评估两个交互式的、基于浏览器的力学概念软件模拟，特别是带有拖拽的抛射运动和旋转环上的头部运动。这些模拟具有变革性，因为它们首次允许学生在不需要计算机编程专业知识的情况下，交互式地探索观察到的现象与数学形式之间的联系。仿真软件将通过基于设计的研究开发，支持模拟的迭代改进和对设计如何支持学习的科学理解。软件的三次迭代中的每一次都将通过对个人用户的思考访谈进行可用性测试，以完善模拟并研究它们对学生学习的影响。混合方法的总结性评估将对软件的最终版本进行，使用参加了两门中级力学课程的学生。另一个目的是通过各种认识论框架的视角，通过对访谈和软件日志数据的分析，调查学生如何将物理知识与数学形式相结合。NSF IUSE: EHR计划支持研究和开发项目，以提高所有学生STEM教育的有效性。通过其参与学生学习轨道，该计划支持有前途的实践和工具的创建，探索和实施。该奖项反映了美国国家科学基金会的法定使命，并通过使用基金会的知识价值和更广泛的影响审查标准进行评估，被认为值得支持。

This project aims to serve the national interest by helping physics students develop deep conceptual and mathematical understanding of physical phenomena. This project is in the Engaged Student Learning track Level I. Decades of physics education research show that students struggle to connect complex physical phenomena to mathematical formalism, which can limit their opportunities to innovate. Especially in advanced physics courses, these connections are dynamic: mathematical formalism can grow understanding of physical phenomena, and the complexity of physical phenomena can drive development of mathematical formalism. This project will develop two specific software simulations for intermediate classical mechanics, a core physics course that is the first course to integrate high-level mathematics with physics. These simulations -- called DynamicsLab -- will guide students in acquiring a deep conceptual understanding of both the mathematics and the physical representation of physical phenomena through linked, interactive visualizations of two physical phenomena and associated mathematical representations. Additionally, this project will use design-based research to build deeper understanding of how to improve student learning of mathematics in physics contexts.This project aims to iteratively develop, refine, and evaluate two interactive, browser-based, software simulations of mechanics concepts, specifically projectile motion with drag and the motion of a bead on a spinning hoop. The simulations are transformational in that they are the first to allow students to interactively explore the connections between the observed phenomenon and mathematical forms without requiring computer programming expertise. The simulation software will be developed through design-based research, supporting the iterative refinement of both the simulations and scientific understanding of how the design supports learning. Each of three iterations of the software will undergo usability testing through think-aloud interviews with individual users in order to refine the simulations and study their influence on student learning. Mixed-methods summative assessment will be conducted on the final version of the software using students enrolled in two intermediate mechanics courses. An additional aim is to investigate how students blend physical knowledge with mathematical form using analysis of the interviews and software log data through the lens of various epistemological frameworks. The NSF IUSE: EHR Program supports research and development projects to improve the effectiveness of STEM education for all students. Through its Engaged Student Learning track, the program supports the creation, exploration, and implementation of promising practices and tools.This award reflects NSF's statutory mission and has been deemed worthy of support through evaluation using the Foundation's intellectual merit and broader impacts review criteria.