Smartphysicslab: a creative Physics Laboratory using Arduino and smartphones

Abstract

We address aspects of innovation in the practice of experimental physics that are made possible thanks to the availability of ubiquitous and/or cheap digital technologies having the potential to improve the experience and learning outcomes throughout the physics curriculum. The ongoing pandemic poses specific challenges on the traditional approach to laboratory teaching in large labs. The innovation described here, developed independently by us over many years, aims to help maintain or even improve the development of experimental skills also in this new context. We present an analysis of the current situation and describe our proposal with a call for action, centering on the development of an open and bottom-up “Smart Physics Lab” community for the sharing of resources and good practice.