Easy Java SimulationsAn easy-to-use tool to create scientific
simulations in Java
Francisco Esquembre
Universidad de Murcia. Spain
Easy Java Simulations is part of the OpenSourcePhysics project
Why don’t Physics teachers (more frequently) use computer simulations in their lectures?
Computers help improve Physics Education...
Computers have shown to improve the teaching and
learning process (when used in a pedagogically sound way).
They help us create learning environments that extend the
possibilities of traditional teaching tools.
But also offer brand-new possibilities: [1]
Bring exciting, real-world based curricula into the classroom.
Provide new tools to enhance teaching.
Give students and teachers more opportunities for interaction.
Build local and global communities.
Expand opportunities for teacher learning.
[1] Brandsford et al. “How People Learn”. National Academy Press (2000).
And computer simulations are among the best tools for it...
Computer simulations can be open learning environments
that allow students to: [2]
Follow a process of hypothesis-making and idea-testing.
Isolate and manipulate parameters.
Employ a variety of representations.
Investigate phenomena that would not be possible to experience in a classroom
or laboratory.
In sum, it helps us reach a deeper level of conceptual learning
which helps uncover students difficulties of a more subtle nature.
[2] Jimoyiannis, Komis. “Computer simulations in physics teaching and learning”. Comp. Educ. 36 (2001).
1. Develop their understanding about the phenomena and physical laws through a process of hypothesis-making and idea-testing.
1. Develop their understanding about the phenomena and physical laws through a process of hypothesis-making and idea-testing.
2. Isolate and manipulate parameters and therefore help students to develop an understanding of the relationships between physical concepts, variables and phenomena
2. Isolate and manipulate parameters and therefore help students to develop an understanding of the relationships between physical concepts, variables and phenomena
3. Employ a variety of representations (images, animations, graphs, numerical data) that are helpful in understanding the underlying concepts, relations and processes.
3. Employ a variety of representations (images, animations, graphs, numerical data) that are helpful in understanding the underlying concepts, relations and processes.
…to facilitate learning through engaging students in
explorations that reflect real science: [3]
[3] Lederman. “American Renaissance in Science Education”. FERMILAB-TM-2051 (1998).
Thus achieving the list of recommended behaviors considered best-practices...
Students do science (versus learn about science)
Students engage in inquiry
Students communicate
Students collect, manipulate, and use data
Students work collaboratively in groups
Teachers use authentic assessment
Teachers facilitate learning
Teachers emphasize relations to real-life
Teachers integrate science, technology and mathematics
Teachers offer depth versus breadth
Teachers build on prior understandings
Teachers use a variety of materials for learning
...so, why aren’t computer simulations more frequently used in our classrooms?
Resistance to change.
Ignorance of the results of Physics Education Research.
Resistance to accept solutions coming from other people.
Reluctancy to use a technology they, the teachers, don’t
fully understand or control.
Existing simulations don’t quite fill the needs of the
teacher or of her students.
A new set of tools is required.
Tools that are open, reconfigurable, and multi-purposed.
Addressing the following issues: [4]
Lower the technical level required.
Increase teacher’s abilities
Make the software accessible in terms of size and effort.
Allow a different focus on the curriculum.
Allow an active interchange of experiences.
[4] di Sessa, “Changing minds”. MIT Press (2000).
Because there is a great potential of creative teachers that can contribute to make the use of computers in our classrooms more ubiquituous.
Because there is a great potential of creative teachers that can contribute to make the use of computers in our classrooms more ubiquituous.
With all this in mind, we introduce
Easy Java Simulations
Created by science teachers for science teachers and students.
Allows users to create simulations using their knowledge of the
scientific model.
Takes care of all the computer-specific tasks.
The result is an independent, high quality Java application or
applet ready to be published in a Web server.
Ejs can serve as an effective teaching and learning tool if used
in an appropriate pedagogical setting.
Easy Java Simulations. An easy-to-use tool to create scientific simulations in Java
Concentrating on Science, not on the computer.
Concentrating on Science, not on the computer.
Deliberately made easy to use.Deliberately made easy to use.
f.i., it can help implement some of the 12 cited best-practices
f.i., it can help implement some of the 12 cited best-practices
Has a very simple user
interface.
Structures the simulation into
Model and View, to which it
adds a first introductory part.
Each part has a dedicated
editor that helps the user
build it.
How Ejs works. The interface of Ejs.
Provides a WYSIWYG editor of
HTML pages for the simulation.
Each of the introduction pages
will turn into a real HTML page
when the simulation is
generated.
The set will include an HTML
page for the simulation as a
Java applet
How Ejs works. The interface for the Introduction.
The interface for the model
provides a left-to-right
procedure to specify the
model.
The first subpanel allows the
definition of the variables
that describe the model.
The user just needs to type a
line for each of the variables.
How Ejs works. The interface for the Model – Variables.
Additional pages of Java
code can be written to
initialize the model.
The user needs to write valid
Java code but only to
express algorithms.
The editor provides
specialized help.
How Ejs works. The interface for Model – Initialization.
The evolution can be specified
with pages of plain Java code (as
the initialization).
Or with a dedicated ODE editor.
The editor automatically
generates the code for different
solving algorithms.
The editor supports arrays and
events.
How Ejs works. The interface for the Model – Evolution.
The ODE shown corresponds to free-fall motion.
The ODE shown corresponds to free-fall motion.
Notice the controls to specify how quickly the simulation should run.
Notice the controls to specify how quickly the simulation should run.
How Ejs works. The interface for the Model – Events.
An event defines a condition
on the state variables of an
ODE.
The system detects and
finds the precise moment for
the event and applies a
corrective action.
All this is automatically
generated.
How Ejs works. The interface for the Model – Constraints.
Constraints express
additional relationship
between variables.
These relationships must be
ensured also under user
interaction.
They are implemented using
pages of Java code.
How Ejs works. The interface for the Model – Custom.
Custom pages of Java code
can be created to host extra
methods (subroutines and
functions) for our code.
This code must be explicitly
used by the user in the other
parts.
This completes the A-B-C description fo the model. Let’s revise it.With it, Ejs generates the code that deals with internal tasks such as multitasking.
This completes the A-B-C description fo the model. Let’s revise it.With it, Ejs generates the code that deals with internal tasks such as multitasking.
The basic structure is simple, though the model can be made as complex as needed.
The basic structure is simple, though the model can be made as complex as needed.
How Ejs works. The interface for the View – Bulding it.
Creating the view consist in
building an apropriated tree-
like structure of view elements.
Each view element is like a
building block specialized in a
given visualization or input
task.
Elements are taken from the
list of the right using a simple
click-and-create procedure. The tree corresponds to the view displayed
The tree corresponds to the view displayed
How Ejs works. The interface for the View – Building it.
Creating the view consist in
building an apropriated tree-
like structure of view elements.
Each view element is like a
building block specialized in a
given visualization or input
task.
Elements are taken from the
list of the right using a simple
click-and-create procedure.
How Ejs works. The interface for the View - Properties.
View elements can be
customized editing their so-
called properties.
The property can be given a
particular constant value, but
can also be linked to a model
variable.
This establishes a two-way
connection that turns the
simulation into a real dynamic,
interactive visualization.
• View elements can be
customized editing their so-
called properties.
• The property can be given a
particular constant value,
but can also be linked to a
model variable.
• This establishes a two-way
connection that turns the
simulation into a real
dynamic, interactive
visualization.
How Ejs works. The interface for the View - Properties.
And that’s all there is!
Clicking the “Run” button
completes the trick.
The simulation can be run as
an independent application...
How Ejs works. Running the simulation.
And that’s all there is!
Clicking the “Run” button
completes the trick.
The simulation can be run as
an independent application...
Or as a Java applet, within a
complete set of HTML
pages...
How Ejs works. Running the simulation.
And that’s all there is! Clicking
the “Run” button completes
the trick.
The simulation can be run as an
independent application...
Or as a Java applet, within a
complete set of HTML pages...
Or within Ejs it self, which lets
you see the secrets!
How Ejs works. Running the simulation.
It’s time for some examples!
Showcase of Ejs examples
Ejs helps teachers and students with not much knowledge of programming to create their own simulations.
Teachers feel they control the lecture because they understand what the computer is doing
Students are motivated because of the pleasure of the creation process
Students are motivated by the possibility to publish their work (serious work) on the internet
Ejs is a tool that helps students learn to ‘write’ on a computer
Ejs can be used to create learning environments that use the recommended best practices.
Why using Easy Java Simulations?
