Notes:
The Who Can See Who? Interactive is an adjustable size file that displays nicely on tablets such as the iPad, on Chromebooks, and on laptops and desktops. The compatibility with tablets such as iPads and with Chromebooks make it a perfect tool for use in a 1:1 classroom. This Interactive does not display well on all smart phones and The Physics Classroom does not recommend its use on all smart phones.
Teaching Ideas and Suggestions:
The Who Can See Who? Interactive is a skill-building tool that allows the user to explore images in plane mirrors. Given a plane mirror and the position of five students, learners must determine which student(s) can be seen be each individual student. When a learner makes a decision as to who can see who, feedback is immediate and explanations are provided with a ray diagram. The built-in score-keeping makes this Interactive a perfect candidate for a classroom activity. The Interactive provides an invaluable formative assessment of how and why a person can view an image in a plane mirror. The law of reflection and the ability to locate an image are prerequisites to this Interactive. The intention is that after labwork, instruction, and some plane mirror ray diagramming practice, a classroom could navigate to Who Can See Who? and use the Interactive as an assessment/learning tool. The Interactive addresses the common misconception that a person can see whomever is positioned directly in front of a plane mirror. The availability of the stars on the main menu allows a teacher to quickly check-off progress on a per-student basis (if desired).
Our Who Can See Who? simulation is now available with a Concept Checker. Do the simulation. Then follow it up with the
Concept Checker.
Related Resources
There are numerous resources at The Physics Classroom website that serve as very complementary supports for the Who Can See Who? Interactive. These include:
- Minds On Physics Internet Modules:
The Minds On Physics Internet Modules include a collection of interactive questioning modules that help learners assess their understanding of physics concepts and solidify those understandings by answering questions that require higher-order thinking. Assignments RM2 and RM3 of the Reflection and Mirrors module provide great complements to this Interactive. They are best used in the middle to later stages of the learning cycle. Visit the Minds On Physics Internet Modules.
- Curriculum/Practice: Several Concept Development worksheets at the Curriculum Corner will be very useful in assisting students in cultivating their understanding, most notably ...
Image Formation and Characteristics
Ray Diagrams for Plane Mirrors
Visit the Curriculum Corner.
- Labwork:
Simulations should always support (not replace) hands-on learning. The Laboratory section of The Physics Classroom website includes several hands-on ideas that complement this Interactive. Two notable lab ideas include ...
Plane Mirror Image Lab
What Portion ... ? Lab
Visit The Laboratory.
Additional resources and ideas for incorporating Who Can See Who? into an instructional unit on light reflection and plane mirrors can be found at the
Teacher Toolkits section of The Physics Classroom website. Visit
Teacher Toolkits.