Development of research abilities of pupils in the study of optics in conditions of distance education

An important aspect of the application of information and communication technologies (ICT) in the study of physics is the organization of a virtual experiment using appropriate software modeling tools (SMT). Such programs allow both monitor the progress of the experiment, and easily change its parameters. This is especially true when working with real equipment in the school physics classroom becomes impossible due to quarantine measures and the corresponding transition of domestic education to distance learning. The article considers the peculiarities of the use of the virtual laboratory Wolfram Demonstration Project in the study of optics by high school students in distance education. Examples of research of the phenomena of wave, geometric and quantum optics are given. The program allows students to more clearly present the studied phenomena and objects, in a matter of minutes to trace the processes that take place over a big duration in real life, or their demonstration requires complex and expensive equipment. The relevance of the development of PMZ in optics is also caused by the fact that light waves and objects with which these waves interact due to their small size (wavelength, elementary particles, the periodicity of the diffraction grating) can not be directly observed. We learn about their properties indirectly: interference and diffraction pattern, inelastic light scattering on microparticles, Photoeffect, etc.) Conducting appropriate virtual demonstrations and experiments, the teacher by increasing the component of research activities and visibility increases the activity and interest of students, improves understanding of educational material, which is especially important in distance education. The use of the virtual laboratory Wolfram Demonstration Project can significantly help the teacher in studying the optics of students in the mode of distance education, in particular, conducting laboratory work in physics. Each student, if connected to the Internet, has the opportunity to conduct their own research, following the instructions of the teacher. The described PMZ makes it possible not only to record the results of the experiment (interference and diffraction patterns, instrument readings), but also to visually observe the dynamics of motion of objects inaccessible to real observations (wave front motion, photoelectron flux, etc.). The proposed virtual demonstrations and experiments promote the development of research abilities of students, increase their activity and interest in acquiring knowledge, improve the understanding of educational material.