Open Source Physics

TL;DR

Open Source Physics (OSP) provides free, customizable tools like EJS and Tracker that enable teachers and students to explore, analyze, and create physics models, enhancing engagement and understanding in science education.

Contribution

This paper highlights how OSP integrates open-source tools into physics education, demonstrating their use in Singapore for customized learning experiences.

Findings

Students successfully create and customize physics models.

Use of Tracker enhances understanding of kinematics.

OSP tools facilitate meaningful ICT integration in education.

Abstract

Open Source Physics (Brown, 2012; Christian, 2010; Esquembre, 2012; Hwang, 2010) empowers teachers and students to create and use these free tools with the associated intellectual property rights given to customise (Wee & Mak, 2009) the computer models/tools to suit their teaching and learning needs. Open Source Physics (OSP) focuses on design of computer models, such as Easy Java Simulations (EJS) and the use of video modeling and analysis (Tracker). They allow students to investigate, explore and analyse data which is either real or simulated. The OSP approach helps users overcome barriers in creating, using and scaling up meaningful ICT use in education. In Singapore, teachers and students have created or customised existing computer models to design and re-purpose EJS models to suit their context and learning needs. Tracker tools allow students to analyse different aspects of a physics phenomena to deepen their understanding of abstract physics concepts. Using Tracker, students record the motion of objects and create their own models to test their ideas in the study of kinematics. Essentially, the two main pedagogical approaches (Figure 1) used in OSP are: Guided Inquiry investigating modeled phenomena(EJS) video analysis (Tracker) Constructionism learning by making new models(EJS) video modeling(Tracker)