An online teaching learning sequence with home experiments and simulations on relativity of motion and the equivalence principle in classical mechanics

Abstract

We designed a teaching-learning sequence on relative motion in classical mechanics, based on the fundamental design principle of highlighting those conceptual elements which could be valuable in the future learning of special and general relativity In order to highlight selected key concepts and motivate students in their exploration, we used a series of experiments based on video analysis and interactive simulations, which can be modified on the fly by the students. In this study, we introduce a pilot investigation focused on testing the instructional sequence, and we provide initial outcomes regarding students’ understanding. The sequence of activities was tested with a group of 24 undergraduate students in an online laboratory course during the COVID-19 pandemic.