Three-dimensional Simulation System based Intelligent Object-oriented Paradigm for Conducting Physics Experiments

Abstract

Despite the large number of studies conducted in the area of simulation, yet there are no generic paradigms or even architectures for developing three-dimensional (3D) simulation applications with autonomous intelligent objects. This paper introduces a novel intelligent 3D simulation system to support conducting experiments in Physics. First of all, an intelligent object-oriented paradigm is proposed with the aim of system development. Accordingly, the physical work-cell entities of each experiment are modeled through defining their attributes and methods inside objects or classes of an application hierarchy. Then, we construct a knowledge base (KB) documents the rules/algorithms which work on the data entities and 3D objects using two kinds of object rules, namely: property, and action rules. The student’s simulation layer allows him/her using the system to walk through the virtual Physics lab based on a pre-defined walking model. S/he can access the simulation area to conduct experiments based on mathematical collision detection. In terms of software engineering, the system makes the Physics experiments easier by making more modular and reusable their applicable parts. Furthermore, a major pedagogical goal is achieved through allowing the learner tuning parameters, fix a part of a device and visualize output. This gives him/her a good explanation by visualizing how different parameters influence the experiment results. The Weighted Methods per Class (WMC), and the Reusability rank (RR) are the software metrics used to validate the proposed system. Furthermore, the experimental scenario is executed by applying the proposed system to students to estimate its caliber and efficiency. For measuring students’ performance, we used one exploratory group depending on pre/ and post-tests. The results reveal the contribution of the system to learners’ performance regarding Physics experimentation.