Teaching High School Physics Using PhET Interactive Simulation
Siswoyo*

Physics Education, Faculty of Mathematics and Netural Sciences, Universitas Negeri Jakarta
*siswoyo[at]unj.ac.id

Abstract

This study focus on students’ exploration of work and energy using PhET interactive simulation and involving 36 students in High School Physics class. Students were working in small group to explore virtual phenomena using PhET- the ramp and energy skate park. Worksheets were created by teacher to guide students in inquiry-based exploration of scientific phenomena. During the lesson students input the data, controlled related variables and interpreted the graphs. At the end of the lesson, some questions were administrated by teacher focus on students interpretation of graphs and pictures related to the concept of work and energy. It was found the students were interested to PhET interactive simulation and more active to ask questions during the lesson and students interpretation of graph better than before.

Keywords: Physics; PhET Interactive Simulation; Interpretation of graph; Work and energy

Topic: Physics