Overview
Curator: Darrell Glover
Description of Resource: (From website) Founded in 2002 by Nobel Laureate Carl Wieman, the PhET Interactive Simulations project at the University of Colorado Boulder creates free interactive math and science simulations. PhET sims are based on extensive education research and engage students through an intuitive, game-like environment where students learn through exploration and discovery. INTERACT, DISCOVER, LEARN!
Technical & Cost considerations: PhET simulations are free to anybody visiting the website. There are also hundreds of lesson plans/guided activities from PhET and other teachers that are available if you register with the site; registration is free but with it you will receive newsletters that sometimes ask for donations. A large number of the simulations have been converted to HTML 5 to enable play across internet enabled devices although some are still only available using Flashplayer or Java. Each simulation notes what form it is available in, has a more in-depth listing of software requirements (if needed), and there is a section on the site where you can look up simulations based on the device you are using (iPad, Chromebook, etc.). Additionally, if you are programming inclined, the source code for all simulations is available as well.
Evaluation
1. Learning Activity Types
- LA-Practice – there are many simulations that allow the user to practice solving a specific type of problem (for example, fractions, vectors, or equations).
- LA-Present – many of the simulations, especially when coupled with the available lesson plans/activities, can be used to introduce new ideas and concepts.
- LA-Present-Demo – there are available simulations which can be used to demonstrate how to do something/how some interactions take place.
- LA-Present-Explain – likewise, many of the available simulations can be used to explain ideas and concepts.
- LA-Explore – many of the simulations are exploratory with slider bars and manipulatives to allow the user to investigate, in real time, the effects of the user’s changes.
- LA-Apply – many of the available lesson plans/activities are application questions that can utilize a given simulation to explore and solve.
2. What mathematics is being learned?
Standards
Since the wide variety of simulations available cover a multitude of subject areas, listing each individual standard that they each satisfy would not be value-added. However, it is safe to say that an overwhelming number of NCTM and/or Common Core State Standards are addressed in different ways by different simulations. For more specifics, the “About” section on each simulation’s home page identifies the topics it touches on as well as sample learning goals (which are worded very similarly to such standards). Additionally, the “Research” section of the main site contains a description of what goes into the design of a PhET simulation, including links to research studies that form the basis of many of the standards in use today.
Proficiency Strands
- conceptual understanding – when coupled with the available lesson plans/activities, many of the simulations can have applications for various related topics allowing users to make conceptual mathematical connections
- procedural fluency – there are available simulations which simply allow practice of mathematical procedures
- strategic competence – there are simulations which allow the user to formulate different mathematical problems from given data
- adaptive reasoning – most simulations have a listing of PhET or teacher designed activities which provide opportunities for students to think about and explain/justify their thinking about the subject a simulation entails
- productive disposition – a number of the simulations are in the form of games which provide the user with the dual positives of making math fun/interesting and applicable to real world scenarios
3. How is the mathematics represented?
There are simulations that represent math in numerous different ways: graphing tools, numerically, functional, manipulatives, etc. But what’s better is that many of these tools show multiple representations and dynamically illustrate cause-effect relationships in real time allowing users to make conceptual connections that might not otherwise be visible.
4. What role does technology play?
The main advantage of the technology on the PhET site is that it has been designed explicitly with the goal of fostering conceptual understanding (the term is even on their “Research” link). The simulations are developed by education professionals based on concrete research which gives them a credibility that other sites may not have. Additionally, this also means that the technology has been made with the appropriate use in mind – to enhance learning rather than simply replace basic skills.
Affordances of Technology for Supporting Learning
- Computing & Automating – some simulations compute and automate certain activities such as graphing, vector addition, and curve fitting
- Representing Ideas & Thinking – some simulations represent ideas such a functions as a machine that, given an input, produces an output or torque and rotation problems as teeter totters to balance
- Accessing Information – as previously stated, each simulation has numerous lesson plans/activities that can utilize the tool as well as sample learning goals
- Capturing & Creating – users are able to create graphs, functions, waves, projectile motions, orbits and gravitational forces, atoms, and much more.
5. How does the technology fit or interact with the social context of learning?
Many of the simulations would make fantastic tools for various levels of collaboration. Teachers could easily display a simulation for the class in order to introduce a new topic. Small groups could easily use a simulation to explore a new concept. While only one student can manipulate a simulation at any given time, the tools allow groups to observe and discuss the ideas that are present.
6. Additional Comments
This is one of my favorite educational technology resources and it’s not just for math as there are simulations for various areas of science as well. This is great for providing that link to real world application of mathematical principles. Designed and developed with the goal of providing conceptual understanding in the minds of its users, most PhET simulations are a cut above the average tech tool. Combined with the plethora of different lessons/ideas/tips on how to use the numerous simulations, there is no reason why a teacher would not want to utilize this site. As a personal example, my two sons learned about fractions using a couple of PhET simulations… long before they ever encountered fractions in school… on their own because they thought the game looked cool and was fun.