Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations
written by
Elise C. Morgan and Emily B. Moore
The PhET Interactive Simulations project has begun an initiative to increase the accessibility of its suite of science simulations. In this work, we focus on use of the PhET sim Capacitor Lab: Basics by two visually impaired learners. Comparing responses to pre and posttest questions about capacitance and circuits, our results indicate that after using the simulation with new accessibility features, both learners better understood the relationship between plate separation, area, and capacitance. Additionally, while only one learner connected the charged capacitor to the light bulb in the simulation during use, both answered that the light bulb will be illuminated in posttest questions. These findings indicate that visually impaired students can master the learning goals of a PhET sim with well-designed accessibility features. Findings from this research contribute to understanding how to develop physics education resources capable of supporting diverse students, including students with disabilities.
Physics Education Research Conference 2016
Part of the PER Conference series
Sacramento, CA: July 20-21, 2016
Pages 232-235
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Further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the published article's author(s), title, proceedings citation, and DOI.
<a href="https://www.per-central.org/items/detail.cfm?ID=14236">Morgan, Elise C., and Emily Moore. "Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, July 20-21, 2016.</a>
E. Morgan and E. Moore, , presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, 2016, WWW Document, (https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14236&DocID=4590).
E. Morgan and E. Moore, Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations, presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, 2016, <https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14236&DocID=4590>.
Morgan, E., & Moore, E. (2016, July 20-21). Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations. Paper presented at Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA. Retrieved April 4, 2025, from https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14236&DocID=4590
Morgan, Elise C., and Emily Moore. "Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations." Paper presented at the Physics Education Research Conference 2016, Sacramento, CA, July 20-21, 2016. https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14236&DocID=4590 (accessed 4 April 2025).
%A Elise C. Morgan %A Emily Moore %T Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations %S PER Conference %D July 20-21 2016 %P 232-235 %C Sacramento, CA %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14236&DocID=4590 %O Physics Education Research Conference 2016 %O July 20-21 %O application/pdf
%0 Conference Proceedings %A Morgan, Elise C. %A Moore, Emily %D July 20-21 2016 %T Investigating Student Learning with Accessible Interactive Physics Simulations %B Physics Education Research Conference 2016 %C Sacramento, CA %P 232-235 %S PER Conference %8 July 20-21 %U https://www.compadre.org/Repository/document/ServeFile.cfm?ID=14236&DocID=4590
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