The Physics Classroom » Physics Interactives » Kinematics » Name That Motion » Notes

Notes:

The Name That Motion Interactive is a fixed size file that displays nicely on tablets such as the iPad, on Chromebooks, and on laptops and desktops. The compatibility with iPads, other tablets, and Chromebooks make it a perfect tool for use in a 1:1 classroom. Given the size of the file, it is recommended that it be used in full-screen mode.  The Name That Motion Interactive does not display as nicely on most smart phones.

Just So You Know: The newest versions (Version 3 and higher) of this activity use HTML5 animations in place of the older video format ... and it includes other improvements as well. 
​
 
 

Teaching Ideas and Suggestions:

This Interactive is intended for use near the middle to later stages of a learning cycle on position, velocity and acceleration. It provides an excellent formative assessment of student understanding of constant velocity and accelerated motion. The learner must understand the manner in which positive and negative acceleration are distinguished from one another. The intention was that after labwork, instruction, and discussion of constant velocity and accelerated motion, a classroom could navigate to Name That Motion and use the Interactive as an assessment/learning tool. The availability of the stars on the main menu allows a teacher to quickly check-off progress on a per-student basis (if desired).


Our Name That Motion simulation is now equipped with Task Tracker functionality. Teachers with Task Tracker accounts for The Physics Interactives section can track their student's progress on Name That Motion.  Learn more.
 
 
 

Related Resources

There are numerous resources at The Physics Classroom website that serve as very complementary supports for the Name That Motion Interactive. These include:
  • Minds On Physics Internet Modules:
    The Minds On Physics Internet Modules include a collection of interactive questioning modules that help learners assess their understanding of physics concepts and solidify those understandings by answering questions that require higher-order thinking.Assignments KC4 and KC5 of the Kinematic Concepts module provide great complements to this Interactive. They are best used in the middle to later stages of the learning cycle. Visit the Minds On Physics Internet Modules.

     
  • Curriculum/Practice: Several Concept Development worksheets at the Curriculum Corner will be very useful in assisting students in cultivating their understanding, most notably ...

    Acceleration
    Describing Motion with Diagrams

    Visit the Curriculum Corner.
     
  • Labwork: 
    Simulations should always support (never supplant) hands-on learning. The Laboratory section of The Physics Classroom website includes several hands-on ideas that complement this Interactive. One notable lab idea includes ...

    Diagramming Motion Lab

    Visit The Laboratory.
 

Additional resources and ideas for incorporating Name That Motion into an instructional unit on position, velocity, and acceleration can be found at the Teacher Toolkits section of The Physics Classroom website.  Visit Teacher Toolkits.