WEB based teaching tools - Tools for  Teaching Using the WWW

 

Introduction-  Virtual Labs

Software tools that simulate physical or theoretical concepts in a virtual environment.

Simulations, Animations, Applets, etc.  ?

  • A variety of tools to provide virtual lab environment

  • Graphic representation of real world process

  • Show graphically
    EXAMPLES

KNOWN BY A VARITEY OF NAMES

  • Applets

  • Physlets

  • SIMS

  • Plug-ins

WHY SHOULD I BE INTERESTED?

  • Analogy in the real world are CAE programs and other forms of computer modeling.

  • Provide opportunities to get hands on experience when the real thing is not feasible

  • Allow users to test many in a short time.

  • Should be used as a pre-lab activity to maximize the value of actual hands-on labs

  • Cheap  alternative

  • Safe Alternative

  • Provide experience with concepts that are not possible to actually do

  • Can replace analogies in a more meaningful manner

  • Can test many 'hypothetical' that cannot otherwise be tested

Distinguishing Features

  • Interactivity

  • Customizable

  • Accessibility

OTHER OPTIONS

Programming and scripting Languages

  • JAVA

  •  VB

  • SCRIPTING LANGUAGES

  • MACROMEDIA SCIPTING

Turn-key applications

  • GRAPHING CALCULATORS

  • FLASH, FIREWORKS, DIRECTOR

  •  POWERPOINT

  •  ANIMATION FACTORY, etc.

  • MATHTOOLS and similar

Services

  • If you got the bucks, I'm available...

 

SUBJECTS - Use your imagination!
 

EJS

Easy JAVA Simulations

FAQ's
WHAT

What is Easy Java Simulations-

 Examples
   

Easy Java Simulations, addresses precisely this  problem. Ejs has been specifically designed to teach how to create scientific simulations in Java, in a quick and simple way.

are the conditions?

Conditions of use

does it do?

What is Easy Java Simulations-

is JAVA?

 

is it used for?

 

is needed to run the applets?

any JAVA enabled Browser, IE most reliable with latest Sun JAVA

do I need to use it to develop my own appletst?

Ejs is a Java program that compiles Java programs, hence it requires that you install Java 2 Software Development Kit (Java 2 SDK). The recommended version at the moment of this writing is 1.4.2_06 (version 1.5 is already available, thought we haven't tested it yet). see where? for download links

are there  other options to do the same thing?

many but they usually requie programming knowledge or cost money

WHO?

created it?

 Francisco Esquembre About the author
uses it?

  • All sciences

  • All math

  • All software

  • Anything with distributions, trends or any other graphical way to show data
benefits from using it see above
WHY?
would I want to use it? see above
 would I want my students to use it?  
does it run in?  

WHEN?
 would I use this? can't do the real thing

as a pre-lab

for make-ups

for differentiated instruction
would I not use this? ???
would I have the time to learn this? put a copy of the manual in the bathroom

WHERE?
do I get more info? Open Source Physics
do I get a copy? Download
do I get JAVA SDK Java 2
   
   
do I get support? Open Source Physics

 
HOW?
much does it cost Free
Do I learn it?
How do I distribute it?
Simple to add to WEB pages.
Programs creates HTML, JAVA and XML files
Runs standalone on any browser
Doesn't require users to download plug-in

 

SUMMARY

 
  • Excellent tool for getting your feet wet.
  • Typical of Academic Generated Free Software?
  • All Science & Math teachers should have capability
 
Modalities and Learning

  • If you tell me...

  • If you show me...

  • If I do it...
Learning Modalities

  • Verbal-Audio

  • Visual-Symbolic

  • Tactile

 
 

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Copyright © 2005 -  S. B. EglI