Forming Computational Thinking and Computer Modeling Project Activities in the Physics Course of the Technical University

Abstract

The article discusses contextual technology of teaching and learning physics of IT students at the Technical University. The main goal of this research is development and analysis contextual technology to maintain and increase IT students’ interest in physics with parallel formation of computational thinking and competencies in computer science applications. This technology takes place in several contexts: the scientific method and modeling of physical processes, computational thinking and professional competence. The all contexts are present in four stages of the training cycle: lectures, seminars, lab works, and computer modeling of physical processes. As an example we demonstrate using the contextual technology for the physics course topic “Dynamics of a rigid body rotational motion” in all four stages of the training cycle. The example of student’s team development of the virtual lab work “Precession and nutation of a gyroscope” is given. According to the Novosibirsk State Technical University professors and students, the author’s technology has demonstrated its effectiveness in the formation of professional thinking and competencies of the IT students in teaching physics at the Technical University.