Tips for Teaching Virtually with Smartphones
Tips for Teaching Virtually with Smartphones
6 Recommendations for Smartphone Use at Home
As a prior high school physics teacher, I have been recently following a lot of online conversations about teachers who are being asked to teach in some of the toughest circumstances. In response, I'd like to offer some tips for those who might decide to try to use smartphone sensors—perhaps for the first time—to give their students some hands-on experiences in deriving physical principles and creative problem-solving.
Take my reflections as you like, add to them, and provide constructive criticism. I'll update accordingly! (You can reach out to me at support@vieyrasoftware.net or @physicstoolbox).
We've also recently re-organized our listing of 50+ lesson ideas into a more friendly format. Eleven of these activities have accompanying student worksheets, which are listed under "Resources" for the relevant lessons, and which are succinctly listed in our May newsletter. Check them out, and please do let us know if you have new ideas!
Demoing with Magna-AR
If you've been playing with Magna-AR (accessible on AR-enabled modern smartphones only either in the "AR" mode of Physics Toolbox Sensor Suite or as the "Magna-AR" stand-alone app), here are a few very home-made videos from us that provide some tips for demoing its use.
In the News
Research Base for Mobile Sensor Use and E-Learning in Physics
The pre-print article from a guest researcher at Georgetown University describes how physics faculty can respond pedagogically to COVID-19.
Quantifying Color
This Spanish-language video shows how Physics Toolbox Color Detector can be used to determine the color of leaves. Application include understanding "greening" of plants in the spring or decay in the autumn.
Detecting IR with Light Sensor
Most smartphone light sensors have a detection range wider than visible light. If you have a home remote that works invisibly, test it out on your smartphone!
Exoplanet Detection with a Pendulum Setup
This Portuguese-language article demonstrates a simple setup to model exoplanet transits and collect data with a smartphone.
LiFi for Indoor Location Estimation
Given that GPS does not work indoors, scientists continue to explore the possibility of light-based networks (LiFi), using smartphones to support this quest.
Assessing Balance in Lower Limp Amputees
Researchers in Iran used Physics Toolbox to test the reliability of smartphones for rehabilitation of those with leg amputations.
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Have a great story to share about how you are using Physics Toolbox Apps? We'd love to feature you and your ideas in our newsletter or on our website! Drop us a message at any time to share your story.
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