Interactive Software Underscores the Connection Between Animated Motion and
Graphs

Physics Academic Software Releases GMPHS & TRACKS

January 24, 1995--GRAPHS & TRACKS makes learning about graphs of motion an
enjoyable activity. Students are introduced to graphs of position,
velocity, and acceleration and are encouraged to explore the connection
between animated motion and graphs.

GRAPHS & TRACKS simulates a ball rolling on inclined tracks and consists of
two segments. In Part I, From Graphs to Motion, students study graphs of
position, velocity, and acceleration versus time for given examples of
one-dimensional motion. They then try to set up an arrangement of sloping
tracks so that a ball rolling on the tracks will reproduce the motion
shown in the graphs. Part II, From Motion to Graphs, reverses this
concept: students watch a ball rolling along a set of tracks and try to
sketch graphs that correspond to that motion.

GRAPHS & TRACKS can be used by students independently or in pairs. Many
find the competitive aspect to be a powerful motivator; they design their
own problems and challenge one another. The program also serves as the
ideal complement to activities involving sonic rangers and
microcomputer-based laboratories.

Developed by David Trowbridge of Microsoft Corporation and based on physics
education research he conducted at the University of Washington, GRAPHS &
TRACKS contains a collection of instructive
examples that are organized from simple to difficult. There are interactive
instructions on using the program, and on-line help about graphs and
motion is always available.

Reviewers are enthusiastic about the use of GRAPHS & TRACKS in both high
school and college physics classrooms. "This is a well-designed program
that addresses the significant conceptual difficulties that students
encounter studying kinematics and dynamics," says John Mallinckrodt of
California State Polytechnic University. Diana Stafford of Christ
Episcopal Church High School says, "This program is a terrific combination
of motion with associated graphing." And Gary Bender of Tanana High School
claims that GRAPHS & TRACKS is "one of the most innovative and practical
programs I've ever used in helping students understand motion."

GRAPHS & TRACKS is published and distributed by Physics Academic Software,
which is a project of the American Institute of Physics in cooperation
with the American Physical Society and the American Association of Physics
Teachers. It is a part of a continuing series of educational software from
PAS.

GRAPHS & TRACKS is available for both PC and Macintosh computers. The
package includes one 3-1/2" diskette and a 40-page user's manual
containing program information, notes to the teacher, and student
exercises. The PC version requires a PC computer with VGA graphics, 640K
RAM, DOS 3.3 or later, a Microsoft-compatible mouse, a 3.5" disk drive, a
hard disk with 1.4 MB of space available, and a printer. A math
coprocessor is highly recommended. The Macintosh version requires a
Macintosh Plus computer or later with system software version 6.0 or
later, a hard disk with 1 MB of space available, and a printer.

GRAPHS & TRACKS can be purchased from Physics Academic Software for $79.95
plus $3.50 for shipping and handling for the first package ($12.50 foreign
air mail) and $.75 ($4.00 foreign) for each additional package. Lab Packs,
which include ten copies of the software and one User's Manual, are
available for $239.95. Physics Academic Software offers a no-risk
guarantee by providing a full refund for packages returned within 30
days.

Orders and requests for the Physics Academic Software 1994-1995 Catalog of
Programs should be directed to The Academic Software Library, Campus Box
8202, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-8202. By
telephone, call (800) 955-TASL or (919) 515-7447; Fax (919) 515-2682;
E-mail TASL@ncsu.edu.

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