Physlets: Teaching Physics with Interactive Curricular Material

by Wolfgang Christian, Mario Belloni

This manual/CD package shows physics instructors--both web novices and Java savvy programmers alike--how to author their own interactive curricular material using Physlets--Java applets written for physics pedagogy that can be embedded directly into html documents and that can interact with the user. It demonstrates the use of Physlets in conjunction with JavaScript to deliver a wide variety of web-based interactive physics activities, and provides examples of Physlets created for classroom demonstrations, traditional and Just-in-Time Teaching homework problems, pre- and post-laboratory exercises, and Interactive Engagement activities. More than just a technical how-to book, the manual gives instructors some ideas about the new possibilities that Physlets offer, and is designed to make the transition to using Physlets quick and easy. Covers Pedagogy and Technology (JITT and Physlets; PER and Physlets; technology overview; and scripting tutorial); Curricular Material (in-class activities; mechanics, wavs, and thermodynamics problems; electromagnewtism and optics problems; and modern physics problems); and References (on resources; inherited methods; naming conventions; Animator; EFIELD; DATAGRAPH; DATATABLE; Version Four Physlets). For Physics instructors.

304 pages, Paperback

First published October 6, 2000