Study on promoting quantum mechanics-teaching modernization by information technology

doi:10.4236/ns.2010.22018

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Vol.2, No.2, 112-114 (2010) Natural Science

http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/ns.2010.22018

Study on promoting quantum mechanics-teaching

modernization by information technology

Hong-Mei Wang

Department of physics Dezhou University, Dezhou, China; [email protected]

Received 17 November 2009; revised 14 December 2009; accepted 30 December 2009.

ABSTRACT

Quantum mechanics, one of the important

theories of modern physics, is fairly esoteric

and abstract. Based on the characteristics of

the quantum mechanics course, the article

studies the modernization of quantum mechan-

ics teaching in four aspects: the modernization

of the teaching idea, Computer-Aided Instruc-

tion, the development of Information technology

software and the establishment of three-di-

mensional digital curriculum teaching resource

library.

Keywords: Quantum Mechanics;

Information Technology; Modernization of Teaching

1. INTRODUCTION

Information technology is the general appellation of

communication technology, computer technology, mul-

timedia technology and network technology. In recent

years, information technology has been applied in all

walks of life, greatly promoting the social progress and

economic development; meanwhile, it has also provided

the more vast development space for higher education,

thus bringing significant changes to higher education

content, form, methods have undergone [1]. Quantum

mechanics, as one of the two pillars of modern physics

and the most important required course for physics ma-

jors, is an important basis for some post-graduate

courses such as theoretical physics, materials science,

laser physics and technology, bio-physics, and theoreti-

cal chemistry. Through the study of this course, students

can master the basic conceptions and theories of quan-

tum mechanics and acquire the ability to analyze and

solve problems with the basic theories of quantum me-

chanics. But it is very difficult for the beginners to ac-

cept the theory, for it is fairly esoteric, abstract and com-

plex. Modern information technology can integrate and

construct an ideal learning environment effectively,

which can support the creation of the real situation, the

sharing of resources without the limit of time and space,

the fast and flexible obtaining of information, and the

interaction of rich resources, thus leading to new learn-

ing methods such as research-based learning and coop-

erative learning, and achieving the goals of deepening

the teaching reform and training innovative talents. So

the introduction of information technology in the teach-

ing of quantum mechanics can effectively promote the

modern teaching of quantum mechanics.

2. UPDATE THE IDEA OF TEACHING,

AND ENHANCE THE

UNDERSTANDING OF MODERN

TEACHING TECHNIQUES

Education modernization demands not only the renewal

of equipment and technology but also of the teaching

idea. Updating teaching idea is to change the educational

idea, teaching content and teaching methods, which are

behind the times. Traditional teaching is based on the

basic purpose: teaching students knowledge, telling stu-

dents the way to live and answering students’ questions,

and teaching knowledge is the fundamental goal of

teaching. This old teaching model and teaching idea do

not fit in with the law of education and hinder the im-

provement of the students’ physical quality, thus being

not conducive to the cultivation of talents. To cultivate

talented personnel of high qualities who meet the new

age’s needs and intense competition, we must reform

education ideology, instruction content and instruction

means. Computer is the basis and the core of modern

science and technology. Mankind has entered the com-

puter age and the information superhighway era. More-

over, more than 90% of the invention and development

of the world science and technology is closely linked

with the computer technology in recent 30 years. It can

be said that commanding the knowledge of computer is

an essential quality for the future talents. As for the re-

quests for the next generation of young people, the em-

Eleventh Five-Year National grade teaching reform Identify (FIB070

335-A3-16)

H. M. Wang / Natural Science 2 (2010) 112-114

113

phasis should not be put too much on the amount of the

knowledge they have reserved, but on their ability to

obtain knowledge.

Computer and software are the crystallization of the

wisdom and a valuable knowledge product. As an im-

portant component of modern teaching technology,

Computer is introduced to classroom teaching and fam-

ily tutoring, which will not only be good for us to streng-

then the times, competitiveness and pathbreaking of the

teaching and to face the challenges of a new era, but also

help students form new ideas, new concepts and new

methods in the learning process, which is very important

for them to become a high-quality personnel in future.

3. THE MAIN WAY TO PROMOTE THE

TEACHING MODERNIZATION BY

INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

3.1. Computer-Aided Teaching Enriches the

Class Teaching Method

The enrichment of quantum mechanics teaching content,

the decrease of teaching hours and the improvement in

the request of talent training quality make the contradic-

tions of the teaching enforcement process more obvious,

so it is essential to put forward the best solution to solve

the problem to enhance the effectiveness of teaching.

There are some obvious shortcomings in traditional class

teaching and the lag of teaching technology led to rigid

forms of class teaching. The original teaching pattern, in

which teachers teach and students listen and take notes,

hindered the students’ interest in study. Therefore it is

necessary to change the writing on blackboard simply

into electronic teaching plan, writing on blackboard,

video, CAI, demonstration of the experiment and the

network to achieve the best teaching results. It is worth

mentioning CAI, the character of which is the visualiza-

tion and diversification of teaching content, the rigorous

and scientific nature, the unified applicability and timely

interaction, which favors the implementation of indi-

vidualized teaching. CAI, as an effective means of mod-

ern teaching, is getting more and more favor of teaching

workers. The emergence of CAI brought a vitality for

class teaching, and its powerful demonstration function

can not be compared by traditional equipment.

3.2. Digital Software Development for

Typical Teaching Content

Quantum effects, quantum model, quantum theory,

quantum computing, quantum experiment and quantum

application in quantum mechanics are very difficult and

abstract to understand, so the teaching effect has been

less prominent. But it has been proved by practice that

the development of proper software for teaching will

achieve better results.

3.2.1. Make Full Use of the Three-Dimensional

Demonstration of Information Technology

to Learn Abstract Wave Function

Comparing quantum states with the state statistics in the

teaching of wave function, accepting wave function with

the idea of distribution function is called the probability

density [2]. Then, make a surface of the equivalent prob-

ability density, and the probability of emergence of mi-

cro-particles is equal. It will be fine to find the dot

(, , )r





, which satisfies the equation





ψr,θ,φ=const,

and then to run the dot in a smooth surface (Figure 1,

Figure 2).

3.2.2. Play a Numerical Calculation and

Simulation Capabilities to Achieve the

Strengthening of the Basic Concepts of

Quantum Theory and the Experiment

Content in the Classroom

Movement of micro-particles is random in general. The

description of the motion of the wave function is the

probability (density) range, and eigenvalue and eigen-

state reflects the side of movement determinism. That is,

the measured corresponding value of physical quantities

is determined when the particle is in a mechanical eigen-

state.

Figure 1. Probability density two-dimensional infinite well

wave.

Figure 2. Three-dimensional infinitely deep well the prob-

ability density-wave.

H.M. Wang / Natural Science 2 (2010) 112-114

114

The calculation and solving on eigen equation, the ei-

genstate and eigenvalue of the mechanical quantity is the

important teaching content and methods to understand

the basis of quantum theory. However, it is difficult to

study when facing the energy spectrum of one-dimen-

sional finite deep square potential trap, so we can make a

potential trap spectrum distribution of different wide

with digital technology (Figure 3). We will feel more

relaxed by studying the energy spectrum of one-dimen-

sional finite deep square potential trap by diagram.

In addition, when introducing the teaching of quantum

experiments [3], we can take full advantage of the digital

calculation and simulation technology to show students

quantum fence and quantum decoherence, which are dif-

ficult to understand, and instruct students to realize the

simulation by programming (Figure 3, Figure 4). The

technology is also widely used in the teaching Spatial

Orientation quantization of angular momentum, two- di-

mension brillouin zone of energy band theory and comp-

ton scattering experiment with perfect teaching result.

3.2.2. Set Up Three-Dimensional Digital Teach-

ing Resources of Quantum Mechanics

The characteristics of college students learning are the

combination of class learning with extra-curricular

learning. But extra-curricular learning resources in many

schools are the teaching plan of teachers and the answer

to exercises, etc, which can not provide effective help to

Figure 3. Quantum corral.

Figure 4. Quantum decoherence.

students. Information technology has been promoting the

reform and innovation of the traditional audio-visual and

computer-assisted education since the mid 90s of last

century. Fine quality learning resources on quantum

mechanics can be found in network learning resources at

home and abroad at present and the resources are very

rich; therefore, we can collect high-quality digital teach-

ing resources about quantum mechanics at home and

abroad, and then select, integrate and create the existing

digital teaching resources by combining the teaching

practice with teaching research of chief teachers in ac-

cordance with the new education ideas, with the aid of

modern information technology to build three-dimen-

sional digital resource library and at the same time to

assist the teaching resources on the Net which include

teaching software, management software and Informa-

tion Consultation. It is especially important to establish

the multi-dimensional database of information integrable

ware according to the thought of the integrable ware, and

teaching on Net becomes true by using the integrable

ware to assemble a platform. Provide students with a

broad three-dimensional self-learning space for students’

extra-curricular learning. (Shandong Province, the pro-

vincial Quality Course Digital Web site of quantum me-

chanics: http://222.133.5.50 /kc/lzlx/index.php )

4. CONCLUSIONS

Nonesuch Courses Building is one of the important con-

tents of the Project of Teaching Quality and Teaching

Reform in Colleges, the aims of which is to improve the

teaching quality and the quality of personnel training [4].

Information technology is a powerful backup of the re-

alization of the teaching modernization and a necessary

condition of Course Construction. It can be predicted

that the further development of information technology

will promote quantum mechanics-teaching moderniza-

tion to a higher level.

REFERENCES

[1] Zhou, H.C., W, Y.X. and Zhu, S.H. (2009) Research and

practice of promoting university teaching reform of in-

formation technology[J]. China Education Info, 1, 67.

[2] Li, Y.J., Zhong, J.H. and Liu, Y. (2007) Application of

digital technology to teaching quantum theory for stu-

dents of engineering. College sics., 26(4), 1.

[3] Li, Y.J. and Chai, K.M. (2005) Digital Physics Demo.

BeiJing: Higher Education Press, 78.

[4] Hua, (2008) Carry out action research, create quality

courses. Education and Vocation, 32, 11.