Open IT tools for inquiry-based physics education

Abstract: In case of inquiry-based education, the priority is the pupil's activity, developing his/her practical and research skills. We can use the knowledge and skills obtained by the pupil from other subjects. Applied informatics into physics seems to be a suitable application of digital literacy. Open IT tools are the ones of the available IT tools that bring several benefits to promote freedom of inquiry. An overview of open IT tools for physics education includes microprocessor kits with a variety of analog and digital electronic components, a large number of application software, simulation software, programming languages, libraries and development environments, web tools, virtual laboratories, data catalogs, hypertext documents and other auxiliary resources. Such open IT tools together with suitable open educational resources will be applicable in physics, mathematics, informatics and other subjects.