Presents five interactive, computer-based activities that mimic scientific tests used by sport researchers to help companies design high-performance athletic shoes, including impact tests, flexion tests, friction tests, video analysis, and computer modeling. Provides a platform for teachers to build connections between chemistry (polymer science),…

Presents a model to explain the behavior of oscillatory phenomena found in the soda bottle oscillator. Describes recording the oscillations, and the design of the model based on the qualitative explanation of the oscillations. Illustrates a variety of physiochemical concepts including far-from-equilibrium oscillations, feedback, solubility and…

Involves secondary students in a study designed to allow investigation into how different levels of information presented by various technologies (chemical indicators, pH meters, and microcomputer-based laboratories-MBLs) affected students' understanding of acid, base, and pH concepts. Results showed that students using MBLs exhibited a greater…

Presents a procedure that students can use to determine the center of mass of a thin (two-dimensional), homogenous object experimentally, analytically, and numerically. Requires students to use three distinctly different approaches to a single problem and necessitates a combination of laboratory skills, a knowledge of fundamental calculus, and…

Explains the design and development of an educational virtual environment to support the teaching of planetary phenomena, particularly the movements of Earth and the sun, day and night cycle, and change of seasons. Uses an interactive, three-dimensional (3D) virtual environment. Initial results show that the majority of students enthused about…

Describes the use of a computer-linked camera to demonstrate Coulomb's law. Suggests a way of reducing the difficulties in presenting Coulomb's law by teaching the inverse square law of gravity and the inverse square law of electricity in the same unit. (AIM)

Describes a titrator system, constructed from a computer-interfaced pH-meter, that was designed to increase student involvement in the process. Combines automatic data collection with real-time graphical display and interactive controls to focus attention on the process rather than on bits of data. Improves understanding of concepts and…

Presents activities that allow students to explore the fundamental but poorly understood concept of diffusion by appealing to their kinesthetic senses first, then challenging their analytical skills as they try to deduce the mathematical principle involved. Presents a computer simulation of diffusion and discusses diffusion's limitations and…

Discusses strategies for using technology to spark universal success in the physics classroom. Describes strategies used in the instructional units developed for the Visual Quantum Mechanics (VQM) project that help develop and reinforce student conceptual understanding of physics concepts as well as increase the scientific and technological…

Describes a case study of an advanced physics class that analyzes the implications of using computerized journalizing. Reports that this technique provides a vehicle for students and teachers to make their knowledge public, builds an atmosphere for valuing the conceptual understanding of others, and mediates an ongoing dialog between the…

Explores the potential of the RAY learning environment in improving learning about optics. Results indicate that this environment, which includes a flexible ray-tracing simulation, had a significant effect on the spontaneous and correct use of the model by students in solving problems and a limited effect on conceptual understanding, but promoted…

Reviews two computer software packages for use in physical science, physics, and chemistry classes. Includes "Physics of Model Rocketry" for Apple II, and "Black Box" for Apple II and IBM compatible computers. "Black Box" is designed to help students understand the concept of indirect evidence. (CW)

Evaluates the attributes of a microcomputer software package as a supplement to chemistry instruction. Reports higher scores among the students in a control group. Discovers no significant interaction between treatment and development stage. Discusses several implications for further research. Provides the General Chemistry Test and error analysis…

Describes a "tracing the sun" worksheet combining models with computer programs and classroom discussion. Provides the worksheet including the nine steps of the activity and several discussion questions. (YP)

Introduces microcomputer interfacing as a method for explaining and demonstrating various aspects of the concept of function. Provides three experiments with illustrations and typical computer graphic displays: pendulum motion, pendulum study using two pendulums, and heat absorption and radiation. (YP)