Online Interactive Computer Labs
User's Guide

R. Sethi and G.Antcliffe



I. Introduction


This set of computer-based Physics labs make use of Java and Shockwave Applets that are available on the Internet. These Applets are referenced on each Lab as required by the original authors. The provided labs were developed for the Educational use of DeVry University.

The Labs are intended to be used as either stand-alone replacements for a more conventional, equipment-based "hands-on" Physics Laboratory experience or to augment such a Laboratory. Two of the labs (#2 and #5) are intentionally aimed at this augmentation mode while the others will take up to two hours by themselves. This was done to allow Instructors some flexibility in the way they use these Labs.

Technical Requirements: The only requirements are a Java and Macromedia Shockwave enabled browser. Our experience suggests that the ideal browser environment is Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher on a Windows 2000 system. However, any Java and Shockwave enabled browser should suffice as all of these labs are platform-independent.


II. Usage Guidelines


The Labs developed for Phase I are:

  1. Measurements
  2. Fluid Behavior and Density
  3. Temperature and Heat
  4. Centripetal Force and Motion
  5. Buoyancy

The style of our Labs is, we believe, particularly appropriate for our General Education Students who often have limited Science backgrounds. They have been designed to lead the Student and thereby develop his sense of enquiry into how things work. All Labs also offer the opportunity to make further use of the Applet experience by exploring the wider range of variables that they provide as a further learning experience. It has been our goal to show how "easy" it can be to understand Physics and to stimulate them to do more exploration at home on their own Computers.

The use of these Labs should be self explanatory and their reliable operation has been thoroughly tested here at Pomona. We thus have some experience with prototype versions of these Labs and we would suggest the following mode of operation which seems to be most effective and conducive to learning:

  1. We begin by handing out paper copies of the Lab itself. As needed, the Instructor can discuss the Lab before sending the Students to the general computer Lab.
  2. We then ask each student to come up with a Question about the Lab based solely their reading of the Lab as well as an Answer (or Hypothesis) to their Question. The purpose of this Question/Hypothesis is to reinforce the Scientific Method and allow them to validate (or invalidate) their Question.
  3. Finally, after the Instructor has checked each student's Question and Hypothesis, the Students are sent to the general computer Lab where everyone sits at his/her own terminal. The Instructor is also present to walk around and help on an individual basis as the Students work through the Labs individually or in groups of 2-3 Students.
  4. Each Lab shows fields in which data is to be recorded. At this time (Phase 1), the data must be recorded on the hand-out sheets. As this project develops to the next phase, the Student will be able to record data on the screen so that the Lab can be completely remote from the classroom environment. In anticipation of this, we have included these fields now.
  5. Each Lab has several "questions" to be answered and in Phase I this requires them to provide hand written answers on the "Fill-in sheet" provided with each Lab. These sheets are what is graded by the Instructors (along with a review of the Lab itself to check that the Student has completed the assignment).

The first five on line Computer Labs (Phase I) intended to enhance the learning experience for Students here at DeVry University have been completed. We hope they will receive a rapid acceptance by DeVry Faculty as a tool to make the University an even better place to receive an Education.


III. Support


As our Labs are integrated into courses at other Campuses, we are available to assist as needed in the spirit of adopting this new approach. Technical support is available from rickys@sethi.org and general questions can be addressed to gantclif@adjunct.socal.devry.edu.