Insight II: Investigative Stimuli for Intuitive Growth Using High Technology

这个项目试图找出对设计计算机模拟的关键方面，以便在入门物理课程中向学生教授复杂的物理概念。从教学上的简单系统到更接近模拟自然的复杂系统的发展，要求学生相信方程式代表现实。图形表示在成为连接物理系统和描述它们的方程的最佳方式方面显示出希望。允许学生构建他们自己的图形表示，用于验证模拟作为自然模型，帮助学生讨论，并改变学生的误解。我们将利用科学家认为特别有成效的表示和类比，但目前还没有包括在物理入门课程中。我们计划调查新的图形工具的潜力，如三维显示和操作，替代输入设备，以及用于显示学生可以建模的物理系统的视频存储设备。

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.