ConnSENSE Review: Exploring Physics

Exploring Physics

Chandra Publications
2404 Limerick Lane
Columbia, MO 65203
Contact: Dr Meera Chandrasekhar
Phone: 573-882-2619
Email: meerac@exploringphysics.com
Website:http://www.exploringphysics.com

Price: 1-4 copies $35 per CD + 3 S&H
5+ copies $30 per CD + 3 S&H

System Requirements: PC or Macintosh with Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x or greater, (however an internet connection is not needed to run the program) at least 64 MB of free RAM, 4x CD-ROM or faster, Adobe Acrobat Reader 4.0, Apple Quicktime 4.1.2 player, Macromedia Shockwave and Flash Player (5.0 or greater)-links provided on the CD.

Evaluated by Abbe Waldron, Wamogo Regional High School, Litchfield, Connecticut
Email awaldron@rsd6.org

Rating: A-

Exploring Physics is a comprehensive program that illustrates the fundamental concepts of electricity and magnetism. This program was created for students in grades 5-8. I found that this piece of software would be a great supplement for science teachers because of the information and materials that are included on the CD. However students who have difficulty with reading may have difficulty with the amount of information on each page. Some of the math concepts were also too advanced for students with whom I work. My students are in grades nine through twelve and have learning and intellectual disabilities.

The program is well organized into sequential sections with activities and assessments included in each concept. The modules included in this software are: Batteries, Bulbs and Switches, Understanding Batteries, Simple Circuits, Static Electricity, Resistors and Capacitors and Magnets and Magnetism. If you teach any of these concepts in your science classes the information in this software will be beneficial to illustrating concepts and supporting you in carrying out experimental activities. The software works a lot like a website, with links to pictures and activities. There are also links in each module that highlight the National standards that are addressed by the activities. Each activity is listed with a description of the concept that will be taught. I think that most students would need to be guided through the modules, to insure that the students covered the correct material. Within each module there is the option ("Going Deeper") to try challenging math problems related to the concepts that the students are learning.

I think this software is most beneficial for teachers who teach these areas of physics. Pages can be printed out for student reading and exploration. Student experiments are covered with everything from materials to set up to follow up questions. I think that students with guidance may use this software as a part of a workstation as well. Some of the questions can be answered on the computer and then printed out as an assessment. Student reading pages can also be printed for students to learn more about the topic being studied.

Students who love science may have an independent interest in this program. I saw that students looked for more interactive elements that were not there. There are many drawings and active links. Without a goal and clear directions a student who has difficulty reading or staying on task may have difficulty maneuvering around Exploring Physics, independently. I did like how concepts were highlighted so that students could click on the word to get a definition and description. The questions that the students answer cover the scope of the concept and what the students should be learning from it.

The website http://www.exploringphysics.com is a great place to go to check out the format of this software. There are some active links and you can get an idea of how this software may fit into your curriculum. I think that this software is fairly priced for the variety of activities, experiments and ideas that are offered. They do not offer demos of this program, but refer you to their site to evaluate the content of the material.