A review of the PhET Simulations website.
Fun, interactive, research-based simulations of physical phenomena from the PhET project at the University of Colorado – it's free! Helps students visually comprehend concepts.
Fun, interactive,
research-based simulations of
physical phenomena from the PhET project at the University of Colorado – it'sfree!
The PhET simulation design principles are based on research on how
students learn
PhET simulations have been found to be very effective in lectures,
in class activities, lab and homework
Designed with minimal text so that they can easily be integrated
into every aspect of a course
What the website offers:
It enables students to make connections between real-life
phenomena and the underlying science, deepening their understanding andappreciation of the physical world
Helps students visually comprehend concepts
PhET simulations animate what is invisible to the eye through
the use of graphics and intuitive controls such as click-and-drag manipulation,sliders and radio buttons
In order to further encourage quantitative exploration, the
simulations also offer measurement instruments including rulers, stop-watches,voltmeters and thermometers
As the user manipulates these interactive tools, responses are
immediately animated thus effectively illustrating cause-and-effectrelationships as well as multiple linked representations
There are simulations for physics, biology, chemistry, earth
science, maths
You can also search for them by grade level (American standards)
You can find some simulations in Afrikaans (and many other
languages too)
For teachers:
There is a page dedicated to teachers – an ideas and activity
page:
(External Link)
There are teacher submitted contributions, designed to be used
in conjunction with the
PhET simulations
These contributions include homework assignments, lectures,
activities, concept questions and more, and enable you to get the most out ofyour PhET experience
If you have developed your own material, they encourage you to
contribute it