Mainz 2012 – wissenschaftliches Programm

Bereiche | Tage | Auswahl | Suche | Aktualisierungen | Downloads | Hilfe

DD: Fachverband Didaktik der Physik

DD 24: Praktika und neue Praktikumsversuche 3 (moderne Physik)

DD 24.1: Vortrag

Mittwoch, 21. März 2012, 14:00–14:20, P 13

Simulated interactive research experiments (SIREs): A new learning tool for experimental quantum interferometry — •Mathias Tomandl, Christiane M. Losert Valiente-Kroon, Martin Hopf, and Markus Arndt — Universität Wien - Fakultät für Physik, Österreich

Many of today's university curricula of physics provide courses concerning modern scientific research only in higher semesters. We report on the on-going development of a new type of learning object, the simulated interactive research experiment (SIRE). Based on interactive screen experiments and simulations, the SIRE is a highly complex interactive simulation of a modern real-world research experiment.

Here we focus on the Kapitza-Dirac-Talbot-Lau-Interferometer (KDTLI), a unique experiment for fundamental research in molecular quantum optics. The number of adjustable parameters in a SIRE is typically a magnitude higher than in other technology-enhanced learning objects for physics so far. A SIRE allows the students to manipulate all the relevant parameters in the experimental setup to control and interact with phenomena that are usually only observed by scientists.

Our SIRE aims at stimulating the curiosity of advanced high school students and undergraduates and to trigger their active participation in science. It combines a real world physics challenge with the basic elements of the physics curriculum of the first 3 years. SIREs shall allow a playful interaction with costly infrastructure, enabling the student to make mistakes and to learn from them.