Review for:Physics Demonstration Videos (online)

posted: on December 20, 2006 at 3:46PM

Physics

I've used this primarily for waves and optics, but they have good resources for almost every physics topic.

Generally I want to be showing something that I cannot easily show in the classroom. Like the blackboard optics set we never bought, or the Shive wave machine that is too expensive, or the disappearing pyrex test tube when I forgot to bring in my own corn syrup. A quick demonstation to liven up the class and make a point.

Honors or Advanced, Intro or Regular

In class, using the smartboard, I would show a video to the students. I typcially hyperlink the page the video is on directly to a description on a smartboard page, and load it in prior to class (so it doesn't take that long during class.) We see it, often we rerun it a few times, sometimes pausing midstream if it is relevant.

Provides visualization or animation, Provides a virtual lab, Provides additional content, Increases student engagement and motivation

It's easy to get to, the stuff they have as demos are normal things that you can buy as a school (that you may not have all of (or time to set up)) The kids get a kick out of them sometimes if they are really cool.

Some of the links don't work, which is frustrating, but they usually have two video options for each, so usually one of them does.
You need to have compatible (free) video watching software.
If your computer/internet is slow, the video is choppy and doesn't really work well. Downloading it directly to your computer can take care of the internet slowness problem.