Working Group 3

Some examples of MM to support

Teaching/Learning of Wave Physics and Optics

Elena Sassi, University of Naples “Federico II” Italy

sassi@na.infn.it

Some Examples of MM to help/support Teaching/Learning of: Wave Physics and Image Formation by Lens and Mirrors

Topics in almost all Physics Syllabi (secondary, tertiary level)

Many Common Learning Difficulties (CLD) shown by PER

Choice’s Criteria: friendly use; to address key CLD; used with no modificationseasy integration in lab-work and class practiceopen to: teacher’s strategy/goals; student’s cognitive style

Dynamic Images

ProblemPosing

MM wide spectrum

Waves Physics WHY?

Robust Learning Difficulties often encountered

Inefficacy of still diagrams

  Same Harmonic graph

what propagates, vibrates

Ripple Tank 2D - Wave

3D - Wave

http://www.falstad.com/mathphysics.html

Image Formation by Lenses and Mirrors WHY?

- very often a key initial topic after reflection/refraction laws(some objection by who prefer as start a focus on “vision”)

 

Some “ MM tools” about Image Formation

http://www.mapageweb.umontreal.ca/hamamh/Simul.htm

Some Common Learning Difficulties about Image Formation:

- Geometrical Optics and its assumptions

-a light ray is not a Real Entity but a Model

- Object vs Image space

- Real Image vs Virtual Image

- Role/Meaning of “Principal Rays”-

- Thin lenses vs Thick ones

- ….

MM use in Physics Education

-USA Survey 4600 faculty: 42% use frequently Images + Visuals

- on the average still episodic

- high value of Teacher ownership

- “here and there” insertion of MM

- Language Barrier; …

Help by:-Recommended list (ex. Merlot, MPTL, STEPS

2006 E.M. 259 15 selected)

- Example Didactical Paths showing concrete, doable MM Integration in class practice

thanks for your attention