Teaching Tool PhET: Its Purpose and Application, Alongside Recent Developments and Suggestions for Utilization
PhET, a popular digital platform offering over 150 interactive science and math simulations, is making significant strides in enhancing accessibility and expanding its reach on mobile devices.
Accessing PhET is straightforward; simply visit the website and select simulations ordered by subject. Whether you're using a desktop, laptop, smartphone, or tablet, PhET simulations run using HTML5, making them available on various web browsers and small in data size.
Recent accessibility improvements for PhET digital simulations include updating WebVPython simulations with enhanced accessibility features as of 2023. This includes interactive highlights, pan and zoom functions, sound and sonification, and interactive descriptions, all aimed at catering to diverse learners.
Future development plans call for mobile-friendly versions to enhance access on smartphones and tablets. This mobile optimization is expected to support varied learning environments and increase accessibility overall. While no definitive release of fully mobile-optimized PhET apps has been confirmed, work is underway to bring this vision to life.
In the world of physics simulations, for example, users can click and hold to grab a block and drop it in water, observing the water level change as the object displaces the liquid. Each simulation has different parameters that can be controlled to change the outcome, allowing students to explore and repeat experiments in safety and without a time limit.
PhET is free to use in its basic form, but a paid app version is available on iOS and Android for $0.99. The teaching resources that accompany each PhET simulation are available for download, but access requires an account, so teachers will need to sign up to get the most out of the platform.
PhET's simulations are designed to be age-appropriate and can be curated by teachers to challenge students without overwhelming them. The simulations are accompanied by resource materials and additional activities, making them a valuable tool for both students and educators.
Moreover, PhET offers the ability to remix simulations to suit specific needs, and these remixed simulations can be shared with the community, growing the available resources over time. This collaborative approach is a testament to PhET's commitment to continuous improvement and accessibility for all.
The broader assistive technology trends supporting diverse learners complement PhET’s accessibility goals. This includes support for screen readers, text-to-speech, and alternative input methods, all of which are relevant for platforms like PhET.
In summary, PhET is making its simulations more widely available on mobile devices, with recent improvements in accessibility and future plans for mobile optimization. PhET's commitment to accessibility and its vast array of interactive simulations make it an invaluable resource for STEM education.
The teacher can utilize PhET's age-appropriate interactive simulations for digital education-and-self-development and online-education, as they are designed to challenge students without overwhelming them. Each simulation includes learning resources, additional activities, and the option for remixing, allowing for customization and collaboration among students and educators.
The improvements in PhET's accessibility features, such as interactive highlights, pan and zoom functions, sound and sonification, and interactive descriptions, aim to cater to diverse learners in both desktop and mobile environments. These enhancements align with broader assistive technology trends supporting varied learning needs, including support for screen readers and text-to-speech.
PhET offers a free basic version of its simulations, with a paid app option available on iOS and Android. The accompanying teaching resources are freely available for download but require account registration for educators. This incentivizes participation in the collaborative remixing of simulations, contributing to a growing library of resources in the platform.
Future development plans for PhET include enhancing accessibility on smartphones and tablets through mobile optimization, intended to support varied learning environments and increase access overall. This advancement, along with recent improvements in accessibility, positions PhET as an invaluable resource in STEM learning.
With over 150 interactive science and math simulations available, PhET's commitment to expanding its reach extends beyond the desktop to mobile devices, providing an engaging learning environment for students seeking hands-on STEM instruction.
