| Applet | Circuit Construction Kit (DC Only) | The circuit builder simulation applet | Circuit Simulator v1.5n |
|---|---|---|---|
| Screen Shot |  |  |  |
| Ease of using/ flexibility | Interface is user friendly and quite intuitive. Students do not need a lot of time to learn to use simulation. Able to distinguish the different brightness of bulbs within a circuit | Not as user friendly but is more organised due to the grid lines available. Does not differentiate different brightness of bulbs. | Not user friendly. Addition of components depend on right-clicking. Not as intuitive and students may take longer time to learn to use this simulation. Morover, bulb is not included as a component. |
| Aesthetic Appeal | Able to straddle between life-like or symbolic representation of the circuit. Students are able to visulise what is current. | Components of the circuit is only available in the symbolic form. Students might have difficulty visualising the concept of current. | Components of the circuit is only available in the symbolic form. Students can visulise the concept of current. |
| Variables that can be changed | Only resistance of components can be changed. Other variables, such as the power rating of the bulb cannot be changed. | Able to change the variable for many of the components. For example, the power rating of the bulb can be changed. | Able to change the variable for many of the components. |
Why was the Circuit Construction Kit chosen?
The circuit construction kit was finally chosen because it fit well with the lesson objectives. Moreover, it was the only simulation that was able to differentiate the brightness of the bulbs within a circuit. With this visualisation, students are able to relate how current and potential difference can affect the brightness of the bulb.
The aesthetic appeal was also better that the other two simulations. With the ability to straddle between real-life and symbolic representations of the circuit, students are able to relate to the real-life context of the circuits.