Apps versus demonstration experiments: Improvement of quality of physics teaching in secondary education by the use of tablets

This paper outlines the possibilities for improving the quality in physics teaching by the use of apps on iPads. In order to find out whether apps with interactive simulations, feature for displaying readouts and with augmented reality content support pupils in achieving their learning goals, the author carried out surveys among students of two classes at the BG/BRG Schwechat. iPads show their advantages in the context of blended learning sequences: the devices are instantly ready to use and allow pure haptic interaction with the content. Moreover, iPads are devices which interact with the environment: Their internal sensors and cameras allow them to “see”, “hear” and respond to physical movement and acceleration. The instant read out and visual presentation of collected data makes the iPad extremely useful for Physics teaching. Augmented reality inside and outside the classroom is not science- fiction any more.