Merlot Review "Ideal Gas Law Simulation"

This simulation is of high quality as it correctly represents the behavior of gases under variable conditions and amounts.

The simulation could be used at any of the stages in the learning cycle depending on how it is applied. After using this simulations students should understand how each variable in the ideal gas law affect one another.

For this simulation to be effective, students should have been exposed to the kinetic molecular theory and the combined gas law.

The simulation make the interactions between the variable visible with data and but animated atoms. It could be used with current pedagogy depending on the needs of the instructor and the students.

Depending on how it is presented, this simulation could be used in a variety of ways. It could be used to describe the ideal gas laws, to demonstrate one variable changing another. to allow students to practice using the ideal gas laws by using it to help them solve problems and it could be used to apply the ideal gas law to a new problem they have not seen before. This versatility makes it an easy tool to apply to the classroom.

The simulation is very easy to navigate and easy to understand. Controls are clearly labeled and easy to reset. Slide bars make is easy to change any variable quickly and accurately. It also has some features that allow the user to track a single atom to see how altering the variables affect it. These visual representations would be engaging and easy to recognize for students. However, it does not present students with problems for students to try on their own to assess them on their understanding of the concepts.