The introduction is a short summary of the development of Computer Aided Learning research. The content of this paper is related mainly to comments on key strategies in educational uses of computers in physics education. Several pedagogical approaches are commented, with special emphasis on the user’s control, […]
This paper briefly describes instructional strategies based on computer simulations designed to be used by students in strict connection with laboratory activity. In the belief that computer simulations can help students to grasp the phenomenological aspect of the Physics before they arrive to a formal description of phenomena, […]
Starting from a general discussion of the role of models and the dangers of dogmas, the article deals with the prospects computers open in school education. It is shown how important it is to give pupils the possibility of exploring alternative models of reality, […]
The microcomputer brings modelling reality within the reach of most pupils and teachers. This article discusses different kinds of modelling which can be done with the computer, some existing and some being developed. I shall also consider how these kinds of modelling may relate to pupil’s learning and development in Science Education. […]
A teaching approach to Newtonian mechanics emphasizing dynamical modelling is presented. The approach extensively uses a software allowing students to simulate motions in one dimension and to relate observational kinematics characteristic to dynamical interaction models. An example of how the software can be used in teaching is also discussed. […]
I will give some suggestions for presenting informatics to students from a physical point of view instead of a purely algorithmical point of view, with an eye to some interesting aspects of the way the hardware works. I will then examine the possibility of interfacing a microcomputer in simple ways, […]
An approach to physics teaching in the laboratory by the computer on-line techniques is described. It is based on the choice of a commercial interface coupled with MS-DOS compatible systems: the role of DEBUG software is discussed with an example listing. […]