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sharing the work of leongster for the benefit of MOrE.

Summary

v2

Conducting science experiments is not always easy – the equipment needed is often costly and complex, which means lack of experiments. To overcome this challenge, a team from CPPD and ETD decided to turn students’ smartphones into scientific data-loggers – enabling students to collect data, and investigate, just like a scientist. The team designed web page and accessories, which use the sensors in the phone, to conduct experiments. This idea to transform usage of mobile phones into scientific sensors especially the light diffraction web page app, is one of the best in the current education industry!

v1

Teachers shared the need for experiments on certain science topics such as stationary wave, line spectrum, polarisation in waves and radioactivity. The equipment needed to observe these phenomena are costly and complex. As such, the team created web apps and 3D printed accessories to utilize the sensors in our smartphones to conduct these experiments. The solution is accurate and highly scalable since every student owns a smartphone, and can now engage in experiments without being constrained to laboratories.
The team developed apps for a sound analyser, light analyser, polarizer, radioactivity meter and their corresponding accessories. Video, worksheets and workshops were conducted to guide teachers on how to use them in class. These apps will be hosted in SLS with instructions on how to conduct the various experiments, allowing students to do smartphone experiments anytime, anywhere.
• First of its kind to utilize mobile phone inputs and web-app, transforming the phone into scientific sensors. This allows lab experiments to be easily brought to the classrooms and offer a much cheaper alternative to scientific instruments.
• Potential to scale this to other topics and beyond Singapore; team shared their solution at an international conference and were told it was a first in the education fraternity.
• Highly innovative solution that allows students greater interaction with scientific phenomenon at a very low cost.

 

 

  1. Light Spectrometer prototype: (Direct Link)  Need Chrome for all devices except iOS is not supported yet, Mac can but need to use Chrome.
  2. Sound Analyzer prototype:   (Direct Link) Need Safari on iOS, the rest of other devices can use Chrome
  3. bonus app Geiger Reader prototype:(Direct Link) Need Safari on iOS, the rest of other devices can use Chrome
  4. Polariser prototype:  (Direct Link

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 reference:

https://weelookang.blogspot.com/2019/07/innergy-award-2019-promoting-joy-of.html

https://weelookang.blogspot.com/2020/04/thank-you-responses-from-moe-hq-staff.html

From Vote for your favourite innovation story’ campaign in which participants shared their views on how ETD and CPDD1’s story on Web apps for light and sound experiments on the smartphone inspired them.
Sharing the responses for evidence based innovation!
"We hope that you find the collated responses encouraging, and a testament of the good work you and your team are doing to make things better in MOE! We would like to thank the team for working with us to inspire the MOE Fraternity to make things better. We look forward to the continued future partnerships with you and your team."


  1. As a physics teacher, I attended their workshop and I am impressed by how their innovation can empower students in their inquiry of the natural world.
  2. Creative and innovative use of mobile phones to teach difficult scientific concepts in experiential way harnessing affordances of technology.
  3. It makes teaching and learning come alive for students, and shows how teachers can hack their own solutions
  4. The premise of their innovative idea is the most basic and yet effective
  5. It shows that ubiquitous tech can be meaningfully harnessed for education.
  6. Transforming the abstract into something concrete and fun to learn is not only innovative ..it is how learning suppose to be! Plus using a gadget or device that is easily accesible ! We are so proud that we have a Thinker and Innovator amongst us in ETD !
  7. It is interesting and can be done via the smartphone.
  8. It allows learning on the go!
  9. Exploring possibilities and pushing boundaries
  10. The team has thought about how Science concepts can be applied in authentic learning environment. Transforming a common device that is used daily into an innovation allows students to test out what they have learnt in real world scenarios. This is important in helping students to find connections with what is taught in the classroom
  11. The app is useful and taps on mobile devices which are readily available in almost every teachers' and students' pocket/bag. It is simply innovative as it makes life easier and encourages users to explore more beyond the classroom.
  12. We have been working on sustained commitment to computational physics education through creating and disseminating electronic books, simulations, and other tools to support computational thinking, and for research establishing the value of these tools and best practices for their use.
  13. As a Science teacher, we are always looking for ways to create meaningful lessons for students to learn the concepts while being enjoyable. Using their OWN phones sensors to investigate everyday phenomenon allows students to create and explore on their own!
  14. Students could use hp for learning physics
  15. students enjoy physics better.
  16. Everyone has a smart phone nowadays, but we didn’t know that it can be used in so many ways, especially in learning.
  17. Convenience of practical experiment brought to the modern tool of convenience. The ubiquitous handphone with a room to learn without repercussions!
  18. It's very important for students to be able to visualise abstract concepts which they are learning, and these apps made such learning so easily accessible to students. They can even use them outside school hours at home!
  19. An idea where students can do exploration on their own using mobile phone to collect real world data.
  20. Their passion, creativity, risk taking & ideology of teaching & learning
  21. The web-based app sensors are easily accessible by students using their mobile phones anytime and anywhere. Convenient tools for students to support their learning and great pedagogical tools for teachers as well!
  22. of the team's enthusiasm and passion in making learning accessible and fun for students. Their work has also inspired other teachers around the world to adopt the technology in their physics lessons.
  23. The team uses cheap common materials to design and create simple yet creative and useful apparatus to support science teachers. I am impressed and grateful as our school does not have large funds to buy expensive equipment.
  24. Lawrence has always been supportive of the needs of teachers. When I requested for a particular simulation which I wanted to show my students, he started designing in without hesitation. There were also times when I needed certain modifications, he did it within a day or 2. And when I told him more simulations should be converted to Html5 so that mobile devices can view them, he continued to work on them and expanded the library. I have been using his simulations and will continue to do so.
  25. I can learn Physics in such a fun and easy way, through the mobile devices and web app.
  26. Tools that can be used in and out of the classroom easily
  27. This has inspired me as it gives physics students a cheap & convenient way to do light & sound experiments wherever they are.
  28. We need more fun in our life, conveniently! Thanks.
  29. I love Physics, and tapping on technology to experience light/sound is an innovative and refreshing idea!
  30. It is fun and engaging.
  31. The innovation has brought learning to a whole new level of fun and engagement. It allows students to understand difficult Science concepts through the use of mobile phones which is easily accessible to them.
  32. An authentic learning experience not limited by resources not readily available
  33. It is innovative and ingenious to tap on everyday items such as smartphones to conduct experiments on the go! Our smartphone itself is a mini lab that is equipped with lots of peripherals and sensors that allow us to take in physical data and analyse it via suitable applications. I would definitely consider using the idea and incorporate it in my lessons to promote inquiry and inventive thinking.
  34. It sparked the joy of learning in users!
  35. It is very current and anyone can do it.
  36. He turned mobile devices into sensors... All of us can be scientists.
  37. The relevance of science application is so real and this makes learning authentic for student. Hope to see more of these applications for students to use.
  38. This story showcased the feasibility and ease of cross-division collaboration. Furthermore, i feel strongl for the officers' passion for students, although they are currently based in MOE HQ
  39. It’s convenient, and students get to benefit first hand.
  40. To be able to bring Physics concepts across to students, using daily available technology, is inspiring to both the educators and students.
  41. I teach Physics and I find the web apps are useful and easy to use to help bring this abstract topic into the concrete.
  42. Simple, innovative, cost savings, practical application
  43. When met with current constraints, the team didn't dismissed their thoughts for students to learn the physics theory through experiencing the phenomenon. Instead, they pushed on the idea and dared to explore ways to put forth their dreams to action. Hence making it possible for students to observe and learn through experiments and enabled the physics theory to come alive for the students.
  44. I am a Physics educator and it is useful to my students in their learning. It spurs me to explore other apps to use in teaching
  45. Creating moments of enlightenment is priceless, and accessible innovations that spark learning anytime, anywhere and by anybody ... that’s really inspiring!
  46. Making abstract concepts concrete and learnable is the core of every teacher's duty. Innovation should be like this - driven by users, for the users.
  47. Technology is harnessed with skills to make it possible for students to observe and experience the phenomenon. This will greatly motivate the learning of modern Physics and inspire the next generation to greater achievements. This is made possible without acquisition of expensive equipment. It opens up the horizon for much more learning in future.
  48. People often think of innovation as a spark, but it more like Edison's light bulb. After long hard work, the world realises it was needed all along.
  49. Learning is made fun!
  50. It proves how creative use of technologies could really enhance learning experience and make learning more efficient and effective.
  51. The team has made use of our quintessential mobile phones and turned it into a learning tool!
  52. Something new, convenient and transforms learning!
  53. Simple and fun with students in mind!
  54. This is the first of its kind in the world where students can conduct experiments without using highly expensive lab equipment. Other countries are adopting this innovation to make such hands on learning more accessible and affordable.
  55. Innovation is very apparent in the invention of web apps and use of handphones into scientific sensors
  56. I am amazed by how daily items can be enhanced to provide an elevated learning experience for students.
  57. Loo Kang and Tze Kwang have used what is available and familiar to the students to make something that is fun and can help them to learn. Practical applications make it seem that nothing is impossible. I am inspired by their resourcefulness and ability to see things from a different way to innovate.
  58. This is literally quality learning in the hands if every learner!
  59. Turning complex physics experiments to web apps are fun.
  60. Creators of the app exhibited strong TPCK and could tap on the affordance of various tools to develop learning opportunities for students on a gadget they carry everyday with them - smartphone.
  61. The visuals make learning difficult concepts so much easier to understand. Being able to see the different outcomes with different variables makes for concrete learning for students.
  62. Changing the mode of learning to create immediate relevance and retain interest.
  63. it makes theories come to life
  64. Lawrence and Tze Kwang have made learning Physics fun and all on the smartphone where our students spend most of their time on.
  65. Their innovation not only enhances learning, but is also based on open source content. This makes it accessible to all educators interested in scaling the innovation.
  66. Making an otherwise costly and complex experiment readily accessible to students.
  67. Taps on mobile devices to allow simulations and interactives!
  68. I could see how Everyday devices can be harnessed to teach and learn
  69. Students will be able to do simple and inexpensive experiments outside their classroom at their own pace safely.
  70. Even a simple device like mobile phone can be used as a sensor... really cool idea!!
  71. It makes me think of possibilities with new IT tools in transforming learning.
  72. Relevant for this tech generation
  73. Their innovate action make students feel & learnt the fun & joys of experiencing the phenomenon of physics.
  74. Students being able to learn repetitively and own time, Physics, onderve phenomenas, conduct simple n inexpensive via their hp. V useful during this CV19, home-based learning. It's cool!
  75. Innovators can share experiences w other educators.
  76. As a physics teacher, I'm inspired by them to create resources customised for our students!
  77. Students get to learn & have fun on Science experiments anytime & anywhere.
  78. I used to struggle with Physics and am glad that learning Physics has been made easier!
  79. It helps the whole educational community and students to learn and to innovate.
  80. The app is very helpful for students as it provides a form of virtual experiential learning for them to understand the concepts in the lessons.
  81. It has shown us how everyday devices like our smartphones can be utilised in ways we have not thought of , For use in teaching and learning
  82. They demonstrated how improbables can become probables and then reality.
  83. Use mobile apps is today`s trending.
  84. Inspire student learning is so important in their Education journey.
  85. Students can now use their mobile phones as a tool to explore science concepts!
  86. Both officers successfully translated their passion into reality and added value to students' learning.
  87. It captured the essence of making education come to life for the students. Students appreciate it when teachers show them the utility of what they study and gain a deeper appreciation for the subject matter.
  88. Gave inspiration about mobile learning. The potential of the teaching and learning applications using ubiquitous mobile phones will pave a new breed of ed innovations for our teachers.
  89. It is an easy to make and apply apparatus.
  90. When I was in secondary school, I found physics taught in a strange way. Most things we were taught were observable through feasible experiments, but we were instead given illustrated diagrams to learn from. This web app solves the problem in a practical way, without being overly taxing on school resources. Wish I had this app in school!
  91. Handphones can be used as sensors, what a wonderful idea.
  92. Handphones are extended as sensors too.
  93. As a science teacher, it is important for students to learn through the real-life phenomenon. I believe by using mobile phones as scientific sensors, it provides students an opportunity to learn through experience and collection of data. This allows students to behave like scientists!
  94. Bringing theories to live with the convenience of everyday devices and tech so that students can learn creatively and on the go. Awesome.

 

5 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 Rating 5.00 (2 Votes)