arXiv:1207.0219
Leveraging on Easy Java Simulation tool and open source computer simulation library to create interactive digital media for mass customization of high school physics curriculum
Mass customization of physics curriculum with EJS
EJSCurriculumCustomization
Research Digest
This paper is about scalability and customisation: EJS and an open library make it possible to adapt resources for different high-school physics needs.
Use It Tomorrow
Use a common model as a base, then adjust context, prompts, or variables for a particular class or topic.
Pedagogical Move
Keep the physics model stable while customising the task wrapper for level, language, or assessment purpose.
Student Agency
Frame the task so students work like young scientists: they choose or justify the variable to test, make a prediction, collect evidence, defend a claim, and decide how to improve the model or investigation.
Discussion Prompts
- What evidence does the model, video, or activity make visible?
- Which variable should students change first, and what should they keep constant?
- What claim can students make from the evidence, and what limitation should they acknowledge?
Reveal suggested answers
- Evidence: The EJS library makes the physics model, adjustable parameters, visual feedback, and reusable lesson structure visible to teachers and students.
- Variable: Change the lesson wrapper, task level, or context first; keep the core physics relationship and validated model behaviour fixed.
- Claim: Students can claim that a customised simulation can target a local learning need without changing the underlying physics, while acknowledging that poor task design can still mislead learners.