Lesson Plan | Active Learning | Electricity: Electric Current

Assumptions: This Active Lesson Plan assumes: a 100-minute class, prior student study with both the Book and the start of Project development, and that only one activity (among the three suggested) will be chosen to be conducted during the class, as each activity is designed to take up a significant portion of the available time.

Objectives

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Objectives stage establishes a clear direction for the lesson, focusing on specific skills that students should develop. By detailing the objectives, the teacher ensures that both they and the students have a precise understanding of what is expected at the end of the session. This clarity facilitates the preparation and execution of practical and theoretical activities, ensuring that classroom time is effectively used to consolidate prior learning and apply knowledge meaningfully.

Main Objectives:

1. Empower students to calculate the electric current in a conductor using the formula that relates the amount of charge crossing the conductor and time.

2. Develop the ability to apply theoretical concepts of electric current in practical and theoretical situations, consolidating the understanding of electron flow in a circuit.

Side Objectives:

1. Encourage group discussion about concepts of electric current, promoting the exchange of ideas and collective knowledge building.

Introduction

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The Introduction serves to quickly engage students, prompting them to immediately apply the theoretical knowledge acquired about electric current. The proposed problem situations stimulate the direct application of concepts, preparing the ground for more complex activities. The contextualization helps connect theory to practice, demonstrating the importance of studying electric current in everyday life and in professional situations, which increases interest and perceived relevance of the subject.

Problem-Based Situations

1. Imagine you are in a physics laboratory and need to measure the electric current in a conducting wire. The wire is connected to a power source and an ammeter. If 15,000 electrons pass a point in the wire in 10 seconds, what is the electric current in the wire, considering that the charge of an electron is 1.6 x 10^-19 coulombs?

2. In an experimental setup, a student observes that 2 x 10^18 electrons pass a point in a conductor in 5 seconds. Assuming the current is constant, calculate the electric current through the conductor.

Contextualization

Electric current is one of the fundamental forces of physics that permeates our daily life, from the operation of household appliances to the lighting of our homes. Understanding how electric current is calculated and manipulated is crucial not only for physics students but also for engineers, electricians, and scientists working with technology. Contextualizing the study of electric current with everyday examples and practical applications helps students recognize the relevance of learning and motivates them to explore the topic in more depth.

Development

Duration: (70 - 75 minutes)

The Development stage is designed to allow students to practically and interactively apply the concepts of electric current they previously studied. Through playful and challenging activities, students will have the opportunity to consolidate their theoretical understanding and develop calculation and problem-solving skills in contexts that simulate real situations. This practical approach not only facilitates learning but also stimulates teamwork and creativity.

Activity Suggestions

It is recommended to carry out only one of the suggested activities

Activity 1 - Current Hunters

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Apply the calculation of electric current in a simulated circuit, using fictitious experimental data to promote practical understanding of the concept.

- Description: In this activity, students are divided into groups of up to 5 people, and each group receives a 'map' of a simplified electric circuit drawn on a large sheet of paper. The circuit includes a power source, an ammeter, and several components (resistors, bulbs, etc.). Each component has a fictitious barcode that, when 'scanned' with a provided mobile app, reveals the number of electrons passing through it every 5 seconds.

- Instructions:

• Divide the class into groups of no more than 5 students.

• Hand each group a 'circuit map' and a simulated ammeter (it can be a real analog meter or a mobile app that simulates an ammeter).

• Explain that each component of the circuit has a fictitious barcode, which will be 'scanned' to determine the number of electrons passing through it every 5 seconds.

• Students should calculate the electric current in each component of the circuit using the formula discussed earlier and the data obtained from the barcode.

• Each group presents their calculations and discussions about the differences in current in different parts of the circuit.

Activity 2 - The Magic Ammeter Challenge

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Develop problem-solving skills and apply theoretical knowledge in practical and challenging situations.

- Description: Students, in groups, are tasked with building a small electric circuit with a battery, an ammeter, and a resistor. The challenge is to measure the electric current flowing through the circuit but with an ammeter that has a nonlinear scale, simulating a 'magic ammeter'. The ammeter will show unpredictable values, and students should use their theoretical knowledge to correct and calculate the real current.

- Instructions:

• Divide the students into groups of up to 5 people.

• Provide each group with the necessary materials: a battery, a 'magic' ammeter, a resistor, and connecting wires.

• Explain that the ammeter has a scale that is not linear, and they need to figure out how to convert the read values to real currents.

• Groups construct the circuit and take measurements, recording the values displayed by the ammeter.

• After the measurements, students apply a mathematical correction to obtain the real current and compare it with the theoretical value.

Activity 3 - The Electric Current Theater

> Duration: (60 - 70 minutes)

- Objective: Visualize and interactively understand the concept of electric current and how it behaves in different parts of a circuit.

- Description: In this activity, students will transform the classroom into a large dramatized electric circuit. Each group will represent a component of a circuit (power source, conducting wire, bulb, etc.). They will perform a 'play' in which the electric current is the 'main character'. The lesson will conclude with a discussion on how the different 'parts' of the circuit influence the current.

- Instructions:

• Divide the room into groups of no more than 5 students, each representing a circuit component.

• Each group prepares a small performance that explains how the electric current flows through their component and how it interacts with other components.

• Perform the presentations, allowing each group to 'connect' with the next group, demonstrating the continuous flow of electrons.

• Conclude the activity with a discussion on how each part of the circuit affects the total electric current.

Feedback

Duration: (15 - 20 minutes)

The purpose of this feedback stage is to allow students to reflect on what they have learned and articulate their understanding through the exchange of experiences with peers. This discussion helps consolidate knowledge, identify any points of confusion, and reinforce the practical application of electric current concepts. Moreover, this stage promotes communication and argumentation skills, essential for the academic and personal development of students.

Group Discussion

To initiate the group discussion, the teacher can ask each group to share their findings and challenges faced during the activities. Use a 'talking circle' format, where each group has the opportunity to speak without interruptions while others listen attentively. Encourage students to discuss not only the results obtained but also the processes they went through to arrive at those results, highlighting the strategies used and the lessons learned.

Key Questions

1. What were the biggest challenges you faced when calculating the electric current during the practical activities?

2. How did the corrections made when using the magic ammeter affect your calculations and understanding of the electric current concept?

3. How did the Electric Current Theater activity help visualize the concept of electric current in a circuit?

Conclusion

Duration: (5 - 10 minutes)

The Conclusion stage serves to consolidate learning, ensuring that students have clarity about the concepts discussed and their practical applications. By summarizing the content and reaffirming the connection between theory and practice, the teacher ensures that students leave with a robust and applicable understanding of electric current. Additionally, by highlighting the importance of the topic in daily life, it motivates students to continue exploring and applying their knowledge in other areas.

Summary

In the conclusion, the teacher should summarize the essential points addressed about electric current, reiterating the formula and calculation methods. It is crucial to revisit practical and theoretical examples discussed during the lesson to consolidate learning.

Theory Connection

Today's lesson was designed to connect theory and practice in an integrated manner. Through activities like 'Current Hunters', 'The Magic Ammeter Challenge', and 'The Electric Current Theater', students were able to apply theoretical concepts in practical scenarios, reinforcing their understanding and calculation skills.

Closing

Finally, it is important to emphasize the relevance of electric current in our daily lives. From the operation of electronic devices to applications in medicine and technology, understanding electric current is crucial. This knowledge empowers students to be informed consumers and, potentially, future professionals.