ERIC Number: EJ1013810
Record Type: Journal
Publication Date: 2013-Mar
Pages: 6
Abstractor: As Provided
ISBN: N/A
ISSN: ISSN-0031-9120
EISSN: N/A
Simulating Interference and Diffraction in Instructional Laboratories
Maurer, L.
Physics Education, v48 n2 p227-232 Mar 2013
Studies have shown that standard lectures and instructional laboratory
experiments are not effective at teaching interference and diffraction. In
response, the author created an interactive computer program that simulates
interference and diffraction effects using the finite difference time domain
method. The software allows students to easily control, visualize and
quantitatively measure the effects. Students collected data from simulations
as part of their laboratory exercise, and they performed well on a subsequent
quiz, showing promise for this approach. (Contains 1 table, 6 figures, and 5 footnotes.)
Descriptors: Science Instruction, Physics, Science Laboratories, Scientific Concepts, Computer Simulation, Educational Technology, Computer Uses in Education, Computer Software, Data Collection, College Science
Institute of Physics Publishing. The Public Ledger Building Suite 929, 150 South Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. Tel: 215-627-0880; Fax: 215-627-0879; e-mail: info@ioppubusa.com; Web site: http://journals.iop.org
Publication Type: Journal Articles; Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Higher Education; Postsecondary Education
Audience: N/A
Language: English
Sponsor: N/A
Authoring Institution: N/A
Identifiers - Location: Washington
Grant or Contract Numbers: N/A