Using Tracker as a Pedagogical Tool for Understanding Projectile Motion

TL;DR

This paper explores how Tracker, an open-source video analysis tool, enhances physics education by enabling students to actively investigate and understand projectile motion through real-life video analysis and computer modeling.

Contribution

It demonstrates the pedagogical effectiveness of using Tracker to address misconceptions and promote inquiry-based learning in projectile motion education.

Findings

Students improved understanding of projectile motion concepts.

Coupling video analysis with computer modeling enhances engagement.

Learners relate abstract physics to real-world scenarios.

Abstract

This paper reports the use of Tracker as a pedagogical tool in the effective learning and teaching of projectile motion in physics. When computer model building learning processes is supported and driven by video analysis data, this free Open Source Physics (OSP) tool can provide opportunities for students to engage in active inquiry-based learning. We discuss the pedagogical use of Tracker to address some common misconceptions of projectile motion by allowing students to test their hypothesis by juxtaposing their mental models against the analysis of real life videos. Initial research findings suggest that allowing learners to relate abstract physics concepts to real life through coupling computer modeling with traditional video analysis could be an innovative and effective way to learn projectile motion. 2015 Resources: http://iwant2study.org/ospsg/index.php/interactive-resources/physics/02-newtonian-mechanics/01-kinematics/174-projectile-motion