# Summary:
Today on Educators of the Metaverse, we hear from Physics extraordinaire Tom Walsh. Tom  taught all levels of high school physics for 28 years before retiring in 2018. He created and maintains the website [ophysics.com](http://ophysics.com/) which offers animations and simulations intended to help physics students better understand physics concepts. (The site is completely free to use for educational purposes, and is used by students and teachers around the world.)In this episode, learn about how Tom created his website, oPhysics, and listen to his advice on how you can start incorporating interactive virtual resources into your classroom.

## Listen To Podcast Here:

On Anchor

<iframe src="https://anchor.fm/inspiritvr/embed/episodes/Figuring-Out-Physics-with-Tom-Walsh-e1g52si/a-a7kk1ak" height="208px" width="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

On Spotify

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## This Show is Hosted by: 

Inspirit, the 3D STEM learning platform, revolutionizing virtual science learning everywhere! Click here to sign up and build your 3D lesson plan in less than 30 seconds.

## In This Episode We Cover:

- Tom’s Background: 28 years teaching in high school- all different levels of physics! Included physical science to AP Physics. He taught the whole time in public schools in New Jersey

- oPhysics: Since Tom was first exposed to GeoGebra, he started created simulations for Physics circa 2011/2012

- Then, he decided it would be easiest to share these Physics  with his students via his own website. Hence- the birth of oPhysics! He now has over 100 simulations.

- He started creating simple math based Physics simulations, and took lots of inspiration from other people’s creation.

- Tom started incorporating simulations into class with very specific instructions, guiding his students closely. Later, he started creating more lab-like simulations where students could explore on their own. 

- The biggest shift in teaching that Tom’s observed: the use of technology in general. 

- oPhysics and Teaching: previously, Tom had his students use other simulations, like Phet. But he saw the resources weren’t always exactly what he needed- which is what he used to help him design his simulations (what exactly did he want his students to learn).

- Simulations + online resources need to improve their guided experiences for learners- they shouldn’t have to follow a separate worksheet in order to complete the online experience. 

- Teachers looking to incorporate more interactive, virtual tools- start small! Look up Tom’s previous work on GeoGebra and use it as it make sense. Take it one step at a time.

- Tom’s passion: Ukeleles! He enjoys collecting, studying, and all things ukeleles!

## Hot Takes:

”With my website...I now have something that has helped people around the world... I’ve gotten emails from around the world telling me how useful it’s been- especially during the pandemic. It’s really made me feel that much more complete as a Physics teacher, even though I’m retired now.”

## Links from the Show:

oPhysics- [https://ophysics.com/](https://ophysics.com/)

GeoGebra - [https://www.geogebra.org/?lang=en](https://www.geogebra.org/?lang=en)

Inspirit- [https://www.inspiritvr.com/](https://www.inspiritvr.com/)

Phet - [https://phet.colorado.edu/](https://phet.colorado.edu/)

## Connect & Follow here!

Connect with Tom at [tw@ophysics.com](mailto:tw@ophysics.com).

Learn about engaging physics content creation with Tom Walsh, creator of oPhysics.com. 
 

Tom Walsh oPhsyics.com

Figuring out Physics with Tom Walsh - EOTMP Episode 2

# Summary: 

Join us today with guest speaker Gerry Marchand as we discuss the possibilities for gamification in the science classroom. Gerry is a science teacher at Huntley High School in Illinois with a blended learning background- in fact, he was a pioneer at HHS in the first Blended Learning program in Illinois in 2011 and was also the first at HHS to implement the Flipped Classroom Model, creating over 100 videos to enhance student learning. His current endeavor of mastery-based learning has only escalated the flipped and blended learning model! Find out where he gets his gamification inspiration on this episode.  

## Listen To Podcast Here:

Spotify

<iframe src="https://open.spotify.com/embed/episode/0S5bHbTnwh8CuP0Kh0rt9s" width="100%" height="232" frameBorder="0" allowfullscreen="" allow="autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; fullscreen; picture-in-picture"></iframe>

Anchor

<iframe src="https://anchor.fm/inspiritvr/embed/episodes/Gamified-Learning-in-the-Science-Classroom-with-Gerry-Marchand-e1g5558/a-a7kk7r1" height="204px" width="100%" frameborder="0" scrolling="no"></iframe>

## This Show is Hosted by: 

Inspirit, the 3D STEM learning platform, revolutionizing virtual science learning everywhere! Click here to sign up and build your 3D lesson plan in less than 30 seconds.

## In This Episode We Cover:

- Gerry’s background in education - teaching in Illinois for many years!

- Started flipped classrooms even before it was cool (made remote transition easier)

- Took inspiration from EduTwitter and Aaron Sams’ Chemistry videos and class and started thinking about replicating it for his class

- Do fun stuff in class and do the repetitive stuff on video- so students can rewind and replay for help!

- Made anatomy and biology videos all in one year

- Mastery based system means that Gerry never has too many students where he can’t help them

- Students can go at their own pace- encourages social learning, and ownership for their learning.

- Gamified learning- started with powerpoint templates! Who Wants to Be a Millionaire, Jeopardy, etc. Kids are attracted to goofiness! You can relate, breaks down barriers.

- Games were way more work virtually!

- Got inspiration from a gamified classroom- students tracked progress with a Google sheet and leveled up, complete with avatars!

- Education is heading to the Metaverse. Gerry sees it in his own kids! Virtual field trips, etc. The possibilities just are endless.

- Ideas for gamification: How to survive on Mars! Learning on happy accident via gaming

## Hot Take:

”Once I heard about the mastery-based learning thing...I would never, if you paid me, go back to the way I was doing things earlier because the students are way more engaged, they are in control of their own learning, and they are making decisions on when to do things, how to do things...All real world stuff and learning the science at the same time.”

## Links from the Show:

Aaron Sams: __[https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Sams](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aaron_Sams)__

## Connect On Socials

Twitter: [https://twitter.com/gm8585](https://twitter.com/gm8585)

Learn about how to gamify learning in your science classroom with Gerry Marchand!
