Enhanced Physics Experiments (ePhEx)

In this project new aids for propaedeutic physics teaching will be created which will increase and enhance the impact of physics teaching. The introductory lectures offered by D-PHYS (8 different courses per semester) are mostly based upon a rich, well-tended collection of experiments. In the ideal case these experiments should be repeated to deepen the learning experience, but lack of time usually prevents this. The proposed project addresses this point: to augment the propaedeutic physics lectures we propose creating a web-based collection of ‘virtual’ experiments which allow students both to view experiments shown on video again and to work with these interactively in accompanying simulation programmes (‘physlets’). This venture is NOT intended as a replacement for lecture experiments or lab experiments. The expected benefits are many: (1) deepening of the link between lecture information and experiments via repeated observation of experiments; (2) exploration via simulation of physical laws within parameters unachievable in the lecture context; (3) deployment of simulations in weekly lab exercises; (4) potential deployment not only at ETH but also in high schools; and (last but not least) (5) increasing the pleasure of teaching and learning physics via additional attractive and effective teaching materials.

• The experiments shown in introductory physics lectures can be recorded in high quality on video and can be ‘studied’ again at leisure after the lectures.
• At higher levels the experiments are accompanied by commentary and detailed descriptions on the videos, and augmented by interactive Applets to facilitate independent study.
• Most (ca. 120) of the commonly presented experiments are now available and more are being prepared.

The combination of (1) video with commentary; (2) comprehensive descriptions; and (3) interactive simulations offers a valuable complement to introductory lectures.

This development has just begun, and evaluation is underway.

Not yet surveyed.

• This project will involve a lot of effort, and will be challenging in several ways.
• The ETH Zurich media team is very competent in video production.
• Complex database management and presentation tasks have already been addressed in cooperation with an external firm.

• Website Erweiterte Physik Experimente