learning vpython/glowscript
TRANSCRIPT
Learning VPython / Glowscript
M. L. Horner
The Seven Hills School
March 15, 2014
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
Outline
1 What are VPython andGlowscript?
2 Using them in the classroom
3 Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 2 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
Abstract
VPython and Glowscript are programming languages intended forfirst-year physics student use in modeling physical systems. Buthow does one get started? Brief answers to the following questionswill be presented. Which language? How should it be introducedto students? Where and how can a teacher learn enough to beahead of the students?
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 3 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
Big Picture
written by physics teachers and students for learningintroductory physicsphysics-focussed interactive, 3D animationIf you can make a realistic simulation of something, then youunderstand how it works.Display of simulation can always be zoomed and rotated bydefault.focus on describing physical interactions; 3D eye-candy shouldbe realistic enough to be gratifying and require minimal effortfrom student programmer
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 4 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
Differences
VPythonpython basedmature; lots ofuseful moduleson your computeruser needs VPythonwon’t run in a webpage
Glowscriptjavascript and theWebGL basednewer; user-mademodules aren’tpossiblein the cloudweb only; sometablet access
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 5 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
Which to start with
doesn’t matter for beginner stuffGlowscript is a lot easier to use in class
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 6 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
Obtaining VPython/Glowscript
Both are freewarefree as in beerfree as in speech
assuming you don’t want to rewrite the software:VPython: http://vpython.org/index.html then on leftchoose your operating system and follow directionsGlowscript: http://www.glowscript.org sign in (accountsare free as in beer)
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 7 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
Everywhere
Matter and Interactions textbooknumerical model-building as core part of learning
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 8 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning Resources
A taste
a couple of 80-minute periodsdon’t try to teach programming; give syntax and example linesof code; learning is in the values for variablesmake a ball bounce - with many variations
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 9 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Home
http://www.vpython.orgDocumentationExamplesHelp
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 10 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Screenshot vp1
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 11 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Screenshot vp2
http://vpython.org/contents/docs/index.html
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 12 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Screenshot vp2
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 13 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Strategy
start with bouncing ball example and change itskim through the help filessee www.SOSAAPT.weebly.com for an example beginningexercise (used with students with and without programmingexperience)
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 14 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Home
http://www.glowscript.orgExamplesHelp
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 15 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Screenshot 1
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 16 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Screenshot 2
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 17 / 18
What are VPythonand Glowscript?
Using them in theclassroom
Learning ResourcesVPythonGlowscript
Strategy
start with bouncing ball example and change itskim through the help files
M. L. Horner (7 Hills) VPython / Glowscript March 15, 2014 18 / 18