Java simulations for physics education
Paper submitted to a special issue of Concurrency: Practice and Experience
following the
Java for Computational Science and Engineering Workshop
held at NPAC, Syracuse University on the 16/17th December 1996.
Submitted: 5th February 1997.
Simeon Warner,
Simon Catterall,
Edward Lipson
Department of Physics, Syracuse University,
Syracuse, NY 13244-1130, USA
Summary
We discuss the use of World Wide Web-based Java simulations in teaching
physics to K--12 and undergraduate students. Our work focuses on the
physics of membranes and illustrating how such systems are studied.
We propose that Java should be used not only to produce small versions
of research simulations but also to provide models illustrating simpler
concepts underlying the main subject matter. In particular, applets
should be tailored to the context in which they appear and should be
as intuitive to use as possible. The applets we are developing are
described in the context of current client performance. We also highlight
the development of collaborative systems as an area of particular interest.
Electronic version
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Last updated 17 February 1997