Fox Williams teaches electrical theory and trades math to women pursuing careers in construction. She uses Ohm’s law to help students visualize the connections between one-step linear equations and fundamental ideas in electrical theory. This instructional activity relates to students’ current levels of understanding, and uses a real-life example to make material relevant to everyday life.
In this activity, students access a Google Form explaining an Ohm’s law word problem, then solve it mathematically. Afterward, they access a free online simulation to recreate the circuit and see if their calculations match the simulation. This instructional example is to be used in class or as homework as an application of solving for a variable in a one-step equation. The simulation is used to show the meaning behind the numbers, and also acts as an assessment of whether student calculations are accurate. If students are completing the activity in-class, whether face-to-face or virtually, Williams can view students answers in real time and provide immediate feedback.
Activity Prompts:
1. Using Ohm’s Law (E =I x R), determine what happens to the current (I) in a 12-volt (E) battery circuit when a lightbulb with 2-ohms of resistance (R) is replaced with a lightbulb of 6-ohms of resistance.
Solve for current (I) in both circuits and explain the relationship between current and resistance.
2. Use the link below to create your virtual circuits:
Simulate both circuits and measure the current with an ammeter. Does the simulation prove your mathematical results from question 1?
3. Attach a screenshot or your simulations below.
4. Describe what is happening in your simulation. What do you notice in the circuit?
Digital Resources
Online simulation, google form, and tutorial video
Williams uses a free online simulation, PhET, (specifically the Circuit Construction Kit) to have students create an electrical circuit via a virtual lab. The simulation is helpful because many of Williams’s students don’t have access to lab kids at home due to high costs. For students not focused on the trades, the PhET site allows for a relatively quick exploration of a simple mathematical concept in action.
To support student understanding of both the PhET app and using Google forms, Williams has created demonstration video tutorials to accompany assignments like this. Some students have never used Google Classroom and its tools before, so it’s best to share video tutorials on how to submit assignments rather than assuming students will figure out important steps like taking a screen shot. Williams has learned that most student frustration doesn’t come from mathematical comprehension or completing the assignment but from accessing and submitting the work correctly.
Digital Enablement
Williams recommends using a school’s LMS and other free resources that are accessible via smartphone or laptop whenever possible. Google forms is a free resource and easily accessible with laptops, smartphones, and tablets. Working students especially are always on the go, so to be able to open up an app and submit homework wherever they are is a huge benefit to students. Students in online classes can do the work and submit their answers in real time, allowing Williams to give immediate feedback. Integrating technology has given Williams and her students a flexibility that they greatly need.
The virtual lab kit allows students to play and discover the effects of electricity, strengthening learning connections, and solidifying their understanding of solving one-step linear equations. The activity is quickly self-checking, allowing students and Williams to verify that the calculations match the simulation, and then work together if any discrepancies arise.