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Peer Review

Tracker Video Analysis

Reviewed:

May 16, 2007 by Physics
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Ratings

Overall Rating: 5.0 stars
Content Quality: 5.0 stars
Effectiveness: 5.0 stars
Ease of Use: 4.0 stars
Overview:

Tracker is a free, open source video analysis application that can be used to study a wide range of mechanics experiments. It has features and capabilities comparable to similar commercial products. It is also is designed for analyzing spectroscopy experiments.
Tracker is part of the Open Source Physics (OSP) project ( http://www.opensourcephysics.org) and makes use of the java library and tools developed by this effort. This allows programmers to modify tracker for any special uses and easily connect it to other OSP tools.
Type of Material:

Data Analysis Software. It can run either locally or over the web via Java Webstart.
Recommended Uses:

Classroom demo, homework assignments, and laboratory courses (real and virtual).
Technical Requirements:

Java 1.5 and Quicktime 7.
Identify Major Learning Goals:

To perform experimental measurements and data analysis of motion using prerecorded videos. It can be used for active student-centered study of mechanics problems.
Target Student Population:

This can be used for classes ranging from middle-school through junior and senior level physics. It will get the most use in introductory mechanics courses.
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:

Students will need some training on the use of the software. Because it is independent of the specific topic being studied, this application will need to be used as part of a course that provides the content.

Content Quality

Rating:
Strengths:

This is an excellent package for analyzing motion videos. It is both flexible and feature rich, making it useful for a wide range of applications. Outstanding features include the ability to manipulate the coordinates and scales, the ability to indicate both points and vectors on the videos, the automatic calculation of the center-of-mass of multiple objects, and the ability to compute functions and fits on the data collected. Users also can zoom into video images to make measurements more precise. It is possible to turn features off to simplify the interface for students. This will allow them to focus just on the tools they will need.
Concerns:

The Tracker web site includes a collection of videos that allow users to get started using the program quickly. Some of these video clips are a bit blurred but usable because of the ability to zoom into the images. Users may wish to create their own videos with higher resolution that are not constrained in size by the need to be delivered over the Internet.

Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool

Rating:
Strengths:

This application can be used to engage students in activities that make them investigate real physical systems. They can explore and master physical concepts through their own explorations. This form of active learning has been proven quite effective. For example, the ability to track multiple objects enables the program to be used for student-centered activities for collision analysis. Since the program is part of the Open Source Physisc project, instructors familiar with Java programming can modify or extend it to suit their needs. The sample experiment videos in mechanics are helpful.
Concerns:

This application is a tool that the instructor will need to learn how to use effectively. There are examples available, but they are only a small sampling of the program's capabilities. Creating learning activities, and videos to go with them, will require some effort.
The spectral analysis experiments will not be as effective in many classes. Finding wavelengths is totally automated, so beginning students will not be as engaged in this activity while intensity mapping is rather advanced for most audiences.

Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty

Rating:
Strengths:

The software has a wide range of features that operate as one would expect. Sample files are available that demonstrate the capabilities of the program. The on-line help provides complete explanations of the various menu items and button controls within the program.
Concerns:

The program has many features; so the learning curve is somewhat steep. This is especially true for users with no prior experience with video analysis. The chapter on Tracker from the Open Source Physics Guide is available online at http://www.opensourcephysics.org/projects/#tracker to help users get started.
Other Issues and Comments:

This is an excellent software tool. Effective learning using the tool will require some work on the part instructors.
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