Abstract:

This paper reviews some of the currently available and popular mobile applications for learning Physics and presents the developed cross-platform mobile application named “Fizika korak po korak” (Engl. "Physics step by step”) designed for autonomous learning and algebra-based task problem-solving in the subfield of Kinematics. The feature of the dynamic question generator was implemented in order to increase the user’s engagement in practicing repeating assignments, simultaneously providing the user with feedback and offering step by step solutions. Furthermore, the application’s results tracking mechanism automatically adjusts predefined difficulty levels thus aiming at improving the user’s knowledge by generating more challenging tasks as the user makes progress. The cross-platform development approach, using the Xamarin platform, was chosen to benefit both Android and iOS users and in addition to reduce the problem of application sustainability since its functionalities are expected to be modified and extended over time. Finally, the application was tested among Croatian high school students in order to gain a detailed perception of how the application influences the user’s engagement in autonomous learning and studying habits.

Keywords:

Physics education, cross-platform mobile development, mobile learning.