PhET Simulation as ICT Tool in Teaching and Learning

The name "PhET" was originally an acronym for "Physics Education Technology." However, the PhET site now includes simulations about many other subjects besides physics, so the acronym is too limited. PhET is a suite of research-based interactive computer simulations for teaching and learning physics, chemistry, math, and other sciences. They emphasize the connections between real-life phenomena and the underlying science, and help make the visual and conceptual models of expert scientists accessible to students.

PhET provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations. These tests include student interviews and observation of simulation use in classrooms. To help students engage in science and mathematics through inquiry, PhET simulations are developed using the following design principles:

·         Encourage scientific inquiry

·         Provide interactivity

·         Make the invisible visible

·         Show visual mental models

·         Include multiple representations (e.g., object motion, graphs, numbers, etc.)

·         Use real-world connections

·         Give users implicit guidance (e.g., by limiting controls) in productive exploration

·         Create a simulation that can be flexibly used in many educational situations

( https://phet.colorado.edu/ ) This is the link from which you can access to various PhET simulations like Physics, Chemistry, Math, Earth Science and Biology. There are ready made simulations which can reduce the workload of teacher and increase the understanding of the the learners. 

Here, I have used simulation on Balloon and Static electricity. This topic is learnt in class V science subject. This link will take you to the balloon and static electricity simulation. ( https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulation/balloons-and-static-electricity )  You can download the required simulation and let students use it for exploration and experimentation. After downloading that simulation I can tell children to take the balloon near wall and the sweater and write what they notice (observation). The image below is how balloon and sweater will look like in the simulation. 

The main objectives of this activity are to make children;

·  describe and draw models for common static electricity concepts.

·  write what is static electricity in their own words.

·  understand what will happen to the charge when they take a balloon near the sweater and wall.

 

Activity:

Look at the balloon. What can you say about its charge? (Hint: count both types of charges)

Look at the sweater. What can you say about its charge? (Hint: count both types of charges)

 Use the set up and explore playing with the balloons. Notice the charges at first and after the experiment.

·         Take the balloon near the sweater and write what you have observed.

·         Now take the balloon near the wall and write the observation.

After the activity let student answer the following questions in their book. 

·    What is the indication that the charges at first on sweater, balloon and walls are neutral?

·         What do you think will happen when the balloon is moved closer to the wall?

·         When the balloon is rubbed on the sweater what might happen?

·         What do you think is static electricity?

 

This activity I can use it after explaining the concept of static electricity and for hands on learning this simulation is best for them to understand the concept of static electricity as they can see the reaction of charges and they will know the reason of charges changing it's position.

 

 Therefore, I highly recommend this PhET simulation in teaching and learning of the child and it's one way of integrating ICT.