Science is based on experiments and therefore, science teaching must use didactic experiments. Traditionally, experiments are carried out using expensive laboratory equipment. But in recent years, mobile phones have become increasingly widespread. These phones are equipped with a series of sensors that perform different functions. The sensors can also be used to perform various educational experiments.
There are already some applications that use mobile phone sensors for all kinds of experiments, and the number of these applications is expected to increase in the future.
In Physics, the most complex application of this type is Phyphox (available for both Android and iOS).
With the help of the sensors on the phone, this application allows experiments to be carried out to study different types of motion (free fall, motion on an inclined plane, pendulum, elastic oscillator, circular motion, etc.) If the phone also has a magnetic sensor, we can study the Earth’s magnetic field, the magnetic field produced by an electric current, or other magnetic fields. With the help of the microphone and speaker that any phone has, we can perform a series of acoustics experiments. The light sensor can be used in optics experiments.
We can also do other experiments with this application, depending on the sensors on the phone and the experimenter’s imagination.
There are other applications with which we can perform physics experiments. For example, the magnetic field can also be studied with the „Compass” application, and with the help of GPS we can study the concepts of position, trajectory, speed and others. The list of examples could go on.
In the case of Biology, there are apps that use the phone’s camera to identify different species of plants or animals.
A very useful app for Geography is Google maps. Other STEM disciplines can also benefit from specific apps.
The advantage of using mobile phones for didactic experiments is that most students have a mobile phone and can do the experiment themselves. This can be especially useful for schools that don’t have very well-equipped labs.
Another advantage is that students really like mobile phones. This way, we can involve students more in the study of science.
On the other hand, the method also has some disadvantages. The number of sensors available on a mobile phone is limited and therefore the number of experiments that can be done with the phone is limited. Another disadvantage is that when allowed access to a mobile phone, some students will actually do the experiments indicated by the teacher, but others will use the phone for games or social networks.
Therefore, experiments with the phone are recommended more as homework or on field trips and less during normal school hours.
References
1. phyphox.org/
2. play.google.com/store/apps
3. www.apple.com/app-store/
4. www.google.com/maps/