The St. Andrews QuVis site contains an extensive set of interactive tutorials covering all aspects of introductory quantum mechanics. This material includes three different collections developed for a standard physics course in introductory quantum mechanics, for physical chemistry, and for a course in quantum information.
Type of Material:
Online interactive tutorials and student exercises
Recommended Uses:
Supplement for a standard textbook to improve the presentation and student investigation of topics. Tutorial support for homework problems. Use in individual or group exercises. Investigation of advanced topics in quantum physics.
Technical Requirements:
Flash Player is required for many of the existing tutorials, with a growing number of the resources re-written in HTML 5.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
Develop concepts, mathematical background, and problem solving techniques for quantum physics. Explore more advanced topics in quantum information.
Target Student Population:
Introductory courses in quantum mechanics or modern physics.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
Math and physics background suitable for an introduction to quantum mechanics.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
These simulations take students through the traditional sequence used in most quantum courses, from the concepts of probability to perturbations and Fermi and Bose statistics. This material covers the most important topics in quantum mechanics. The presentations have very attractive graphics and clear explanations, with the step-by-step tutorials very useful for helping students focus on the important physics. These simulations are also used in an extensive exploration of modern quantum theory, including quantum information, entanglement, and hidden variables, hosted by the Institute of Physics.
The translation of the materials to HTML 5 is particularly noteworthy.
Concerns:
Some of the more advanced topics in quantum information may be beyond some students in an introductory quantum course.
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
Many of the tutorials include problems designed to engage students in exploring the topic covered. These will help guide students to consider the important concepts and problem solutions. Instructor guides are also available.
Concerns:
As this material is tutorial in nature, instructors will need to consider the information provided when giving students problems to solve. Some standard questions are answered in the tutorials.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
The interface is very clean and easy to use. Users can explore the topic on their own or use the step-by-step tutorials to guide them through the physics in detail. Explanations and directions for controlling different aspects of the simulations are provided where needed, with many of the tutorials starting with an introduction before the controls are displayed.
Concerns:
In some of the tutorials there are several different ways in which states or outcomes of measurements are displayed. Instructors may need to help students benefit from all this information.
Other Issues and Comments:
This is an exemplary set of tutorial materials that can be used to enhance many different classes.
Creative Commons:
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