Circuit Software in the Classroom

Shown above is an example of a simple circuit designed using circuits.io through Tinkercad.

During class this quarter, I began thinking how a software I once used could be integrated into a lab for students to be able to experiment with electrical components inside, and outside the classroom. The one I specifically have in mind is circuits.io. I began using this for a digital electronics class in 10th grade and it soon became a valuable tool when tinkering. The only thing that has changed is that you now create and edit circuits through www.tinkercad.com.

Being able to create circuit and test whether it will function correctly, before you damage components, is a useful tool when trying to conserve components. You can check voltage, resistance, current, and capacitance within a circuit very easily using tools provided. The user interface is very simplistic and appealing (no spaghetti wires). Also, the inclusion of Arduino simulation is great for tinkerers to test out and write out code without having the physical board on them. While students would not encounter experimental error they would find in the real world, I still believe it would be a valuable tool to help them comprehend the ideal functions of certain components in circuits. I also have not mentioned the best part yet… ITS FREE. This software is definitely a hidden gem which I could see being used in the classroom in the future for not only Physics C, but all physics classes, and I encourage anyone who is mildly curious to sign up for an account and check it out.