The first Web 2.0 tool is PhET interactive web simulations which can be found here. PhET provides open source educational simulations (license CC BY) in science and mathematics. The simulations are interactive and according to the PhET website, have been designed to help students make real world connections to the content material. All simulations have been written using either Java, Flash or HTML5 and can be accessed online or downloaded for ofline access.
In terms of educational use, the simulations have been designed to target specific educational goals. For example, the projectile motion simulation, addresses a outcome in the Physics 20 program of studies. These simulations could be used to introduce students to a topic, help reinforce understanding or to encourage engagement with scientific content. These tools could be used to help students discover connections as well. For example, the projectile motion simulation could be used to help students connect initial velocity to distance traveled at a specific angle. PhET also provides teacher resources which can help determine the appropriate tool for an objective.
This tool could be used to help remove barriers for visual learners providing a visual example of how the content is applied. The simulations also make use of multiple representations of the data (graphs, values, simulated motion) which could help students with different learning styles. This targets the UDL principle multiple means of representation.
Since the simulations are all open educational resources (OER), there is no cost to use the simulations. There also is no age restriction.
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