Crocodile Clips
Simple Simulation Software
TEEM review of Crocodile Physics
Ian Taylor writing for Teachers Evaluating Educational Multimedia
March 2005
Description
Crocodile Physics comes as one CD with a product licence code or it can be downloaded from the publisher on a trial basis or as an upgrade and purchased in this way. It forms part of a suite of Crocodile products (Crocodile Chemistry, ICT, Technology etc.).
Supporting Documentation
The program allows students to view pre-set simulations or to create their own simulations to test ideas in a variety of contexts such as electronics, optics, mechanisms & motion. There is also a graphing simulation.
Extent
Different sections of the software cover different aspects of KS3 and KS4 Physics with application at double award, separate Science and even some A level Physics. It also has applications in technology.
In Physics the main areas of application are:
*Circuits: KS3 unit 7J Electrical circuits, which this is particularly useful for and likewise KS4 double award/individual Science Physics and beyond has various applications including logic circuits.
*Optics: KS3 unit 8K Light, appropriate for colour only. KS4 double award/individual Science Physics has various applications. It is strong on reflection, refraction and lenses. Waves forms a separate section (see below).
*Motion & Forces: KS4 double award/individual Science Physics and beyond: strong emphasis on momentum and elastic/inelastic collisions.
*Waves: Double award/individual Science Physics and beyond for sound waves, light waves, ripple tank simulation and radioactivity.
*Electrical Energy: Limited application in KS3 units 9I Energy and electricity, 9J Gravity and space and 9K Speeding up as the starting point is at a too higher level. Appropriate for KS4 double award/individual Science Physics & beyond. The focus is on the cost of energy and transformation of energy.
Some of the most interesting simulations are in topic folders identified as 'Other Examples'.
Appropriateness
For those unfamiliar with Crocodile Physics it's creators describe it as a flexible, easy to use modelling software for schools and colleges; this is largely true as it is intuitive to use and allows users to manipulate pre-determined models or sketch out their own, change some features and explore what happens. The program has been created with whiteboard presentations in mind and tutorial kits form the basis of the software.
Quality
The software has a reasonable 'Getting Started' section that includes tutorials for each part and the contents window shows the different areas of study with their sub sections. Performing a 'mouse over' provides additional information about the component or context and a set of instructions along the bottom of the page guides you through what you have to do. You can toggle between full screen and a reduced screen, which removes superfluous content and allows you to focus on the current task.
A particular strength of this software is that it has visual impact. When building a model different components can be 'dragged and dropped' to location and, for example, in the case of an electrical circuit the wiring can be added to complete the circuit. Any errors can be 'snapped out' by highlighting them individually with the mouse button and then clicking on the image of the crocodile to delete that part. You can create your own simulation by clicking on 'Parts Library', selecting the area of interest and dragging items onto the page. You can then create your own model to explore what happens when, say, current in a circuit exceeds the fuse value and 'poof!' - we get a visual representation of the fuse blowing when the switch closes to complete the circuit. Performing a 'mouse over' provides a concise explanation as to what has happened and operating the 'spanner' performs a restore function.
The product also has audio, but it is not obtrusive.
Differentiation
Differentiation will be by outcome, but insightful teachers will group students to work together so that collaborative learning takes place. Students can achieve success by simply modelling a cell, a switch and a lamp and watching the lamp light up when the switch is closed or at the other end of the ability spectrum, students can produce much more complicated circuits. Teachers need to use this as a tool and direct different ability students to different applications.
Summary
Crocodile Physics performs a very useful function in the laboratory to create and test any number of simulations across a range of Physics topics from Key Stage 3. This does not mean that the use of tools such as this should replace hands on experiments of course, but it allows a learner who has grasped the basics as a result of practical work to test ideas and share knowledge. A very useful tool.