Abstract:
Getting proper teaching aid for each specific topic in physics is very challenging
endeavors. The associated technical challenge, economic costs, maintenance and
operational costs are very hard to afford. Such problems are much more pronounced in
developing countries including Ethiopia. The present thesis aims at showing how these
kinds of problems can be alleviated using modem technology. Specifically, it presents a
virtual teaching aid that can be used to demonstrate the working principle of the basic
physics of the Earth's magnetic field. The system has several utilities organized under a
user interface window named Bahir Dar University Physics Geomagnetic Simulator.
Under this main menu, we have two major functions; a function that simulates the spatial
behaviors of the Earth's dipole magnetic field and other function that shows temporal and
spatial behaviors. All utilities are designed in user-friendly manner. Any one with basic
computer skills can use them. The major focus is to create a virtual teaching aid that can
be used to teach students with different academic background. For example, for students
with high school level mathematics one asks them to insert few input parameters to get
three-dimensional figures that show the basic physics of the Earth's magnetic field
including latitudinal and longitudinal variations. The system provides an ideal
environment for students to investigate different scenarios and make their own
conclusion based cm the associated results. In other words, it creates active learning
environment, which is recommended by many educators. The aid can also be used in
teaching modeling, graphical analysis and interpretations among other things to students
with college level mathematical background. Especially, it can be used as case on how
one can analyze the pros and cons of a given model. This work also initiates pedagogical
research questions including measuring the .effectiveness of the present virtual teaching
aid.
