Design and implementation of an educational rich internet web application capable of physics simulation within real-time collaborative interfaces

Abstract

This paper attempts to explore the design needs and implementation needs for the creation of a rich internet application (RIA) designed to run inside a user's web browser that simulates simple physics concepts and allows for multiple users to collaborate with one another in real time. The purpose of using such application would be for use in an academic environment in order to allow for a novel way for teachers to interact with students in the teaching of physics. The open source software Eclipse together with the Flex Builder plug-in was used as an application programming interface in order to develop such application that would be designed to run with Adobe Flash Player. The application was designed to include user interactions that allows user to click and drag objects and watch the effects of inelastic collisions, acceleration and gravity, and frictional forces.

(cont.) Multiple users can connect to a client-server network in order to communicate and interact over multiple browsers running the same simulation. The application allowed for one user to click and move an object, while other users could watch the movement of said object in real-time within their own browser. Results of the design and implementation of this program showed that creating an educational program that can be used in a network setting and allow for real-time collaboration to be possible. Improvements must be made, however, in information processing between connected platforms, time delays due to these processes, and problems arising for atypical user movements and interactions.