Actively Learn - Science PhET Simulations
This article walks teachers through accessing the PhET simulations and making customizations.
Article Contents
Overview
PhET simulations incorporate research-based practices on effective teaching to enhance the learning of Science concepts through inquiry-driven assignments.
These simulations can be found by hovering over Interactives & Resources in the navigation menu and clicking on PhET Simulations.
There is a progress bar below the interactive area for all PhET simulations that will show one icon per question. Please note that only question icons are used whether or not instructions or notes have been added to the question, and icons are always equally spaced along progress bar.
Move between the directions and questions within the assignment through the drop down menu or with the left and right arrows in the Question and Direction Area.
Each Question consists Instructions, Question, and Notes tabs.
To make changes to any instructions, questions, or notes, click the Customize button at the top.
Edit Instructions
Teachers can edit or add assignment directions at the beginning of the assignment by selecting Assignment Directions (A) from the drop-down clicking on the Edit button (B).
Teachers can also add instructions for each individual question in the assignment. Either create a new question or navigate to an existing Question (C), clicking on the Instructions tab (D), and clicking the Edit button (E).
Edit/Add Extra Help
The Extra Help Summary will appear after the assignment directions. Teachers can add a summary by navigating to Extra Help Summary in the drop-down (A) and clicking on the Add Extra Help Summary button or edit exiting instruction by clicking the Edit button (B). For more information on Extra Help, refer to the Actively Learn - Extra Help Features article.
Edit/Add Questions
Teachers can edit existing questions in PhET simulations by navigating to the Question (A), clicking on the Question tab (B), and clicking the Edit button (C).
Teachers can also add more questions to the assignment by navigating to the last question in the assignment and clicking the Add Question button (D).
1. Click in the points field to make adjustments to the score value.
2. Select a question type radio button to make changes to the type of question it is.
3. Click in the Question field to add/edit the question text.
If Multiple Choice, Poll, or Classifying was selected as the question type, the choice text will need to be added or can be changed for existing options.
For Multiple Choice questions, an answer choice needs to be chosen as well.
E. If Multiple Choice, Poll, or Classifying was selected as the question type, click the Add Choice or Add Item to include additional fields of text.
4. Select a Depth of Knowledge level from the drop-down.
DOK levels reflect the complexity of a question, ranging from recall to extended thinking.
F. Click the Add or Edit Aligned Standards button to associate standards to the question.
On the pop-up, Select Standard Set (i) from the drop-down and click the Choose Standard (ii) button. Check the box next to the standards you would like to add and click the Done button at the bottom-right. Click the Save button to confirm associations.
Note: Depth of Knowledge and Add or Edit Aligned Standards is not an option for Poll questions due to those question types not being a graded question.
G. For Multiple Choice questions, click the Randomize choices for students to mix the answer choices for each student.
H. Click the Options button to Remove DoK level, Add/Remove media, Add/Remove extra help, Add/Remove explanation, Move question, or Delete the question.
5. Click the Save button.
Edit/Add Notes
Each question in the assignment will have a Notes tab that teachers and students can add notes to the question, just like any other Actively Learn assignment. To add a note, go to the Notes tab (A) and click on the Add Note button (B).
