Science
Below is a page of resources, ideas, and templates for the use of technology into the science classroom
1. Social Media
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More often than not, social media gets a bad reputation in the classroom. However, social media has the potential to connect students to science far beyond the classroom doors. By using social media productively, students are able to connect to students, news, and issues all around the world.
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This idea of connections not only connects students to others, but allows them to share what they are doing. This is particularly beneficial for students who are from smaller schools who might not have as much collaboration ability as others.
Some ways you might use social media in the classroom :
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Organelle Wars : teach students the components of a cell by having them run an election campaign on which organelle they think is most important. Students are encouraged to create twitter, facebook, or pinterest accounts for their organelle about why they should win! (of course ensuring that accounts are fake and no real identifying features are used). **Side Note : this idea could apply to many different topics such as periodic table, types of animals, etc)
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Twitter generates science news in the classroom: have students follow scientists, journalists and content that you are currently studying. Help students develop radars for quality scientific sources on Twitter, the ability to recognize opinion, and the need for the unabridged version of a tweet.
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Vine allows students to document and share science happening in the classroom and their community.
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Pinterest allows students to curate visuals related to science : Set up a classroom Pinterest account for students to share images they find for research projects or writing prompts.
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Time it : Dipity or Tiki-toki timeline platforms allow student users to collaborate on a timeline at the same time. History is the obvious subject choice for this platform but other content areas can benefit from it as well. If science students were assigned various perspectives in the cloning debate, a timeline could be co-created to represent the evolution of the discussion throughout history. Additionally, students can comment on each other’s posts to offer critical analysis, dissent, and support. This would provide a great starting point for classroom discussions
2. Internet Communication
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The idea of integrating chat rooms, video chats, and using blended learning in the classroom is one of the very answers to a constant question in the education world: How can we connect students with what they are learning in the classroom to the real world? As teachers, we know that students are often more engaged and motivated when they can apply something they are learning to their lives. Students like relevance! By using the power of the internet and technology we can create a gateway outside the classroom that allows teachers to bring the world into the classroom. We are increasing the chances that students will understand and make meaningful connections to the course content.
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The idea of blended learning classrooms can come from so many different sources, countries, and mediums that the possibilities are endless and can be uniquely suited to the students in your classroom and situations. Through the use of technology to connect students we are creating globally connected students who share, collaborate, and work together. It is helping build a sense of community beyond the classroom, school, and sometimes even country.
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Some examples of Internet Communication include :
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Google Hangout
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Skype
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3. Blended Classroom Website
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While this option often takes a little bit of extra work, it is almost guaranteed to pay off in the long run. As we get into the 21st century, the use of technology is becoming increasingly apparent within the classroom. Some schools are looking towards personal chromebooks and laptops for students, which makes this idea much easier. The idea of putting class materials, activities, and assignments online for students to complete means that students can begin to work at their own pace.
The disadvantage of time is quickly made up when you can witness how this changes the classroom learning enviornment. This allows for you as the teacher to work with individual students that might need help. As well, this allows for you to differentiate learning much easier as you can create different pages of websites for different students, apply different marking schemes for different students, and make a much more productive and personalized learning environment for each student.
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If you approach this concept as a blended classroom option, this still gives you the opportunity to bring the class together to explain pivotal concepts as well as provide a platform for students to engage in the traditional classroom. There are many different sites that allow you to create websites that can be multi functional. Attached below is an example of a blended classroom website. As well, I have included many build your own website platforms.
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Examples of Website Making Platform
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1. www.wix.com
5. http://interactivesites.weebly.com/science.html
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4. Virtual Labs and Simulations
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Don't have all the supplies? Don't have enough time? Don't have the money? Required by the curriculum to teach critical science skills to students?
By using virtual labs and simulations in the classroom, you are solving all of the most common problems faced in the science classroom. Virtual Labs and Simulations give teachers and students the opportunity to learn more interactively about a plethora of different things that might be physically impossible to have in the classroom. Most virtual software is very user friendly which means students can learn through inquiry. Additionally, they have the opportunity to see different angles, variables, and problems that cannot be addressed, visualized, or explained comprehensively in the classroom.
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As well, virtual labs and simulations appear to be like games and "fun activities" to students. In my experience, students usin these tools rarely feel like they are working and are always very engaged and on task. As well, students who prefer different learning modalities can use these simulations to benefit them the most.
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Some virtual simulation and lab sites for a variety of grades/topics
2. http://mw.concord.org/modeler/index.html - Molecular Workbench
3. http://www.mhhe.com/biosci/genbio/biolink/j_explorations/explorations.html
5. http://interactivesites.weebly.com/science.html
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5. Distant Museums, Exhibits, or Sites
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One of the greatest things about science is the ability to see it occur or find the actual evidence that proves something. Museums, Scientific Sites, and Exhibits are just some of the few ways that science is put on display for the world to see. Fortunately, these special scientific spots are usually open for the public ; which includes schools and classrooms. Bringing museums, exhibits, or special science sites to the classroom is one of the easiest and most engaging ways to connect students to science. By allowing students to take part in these opportunities you are providing them with relevance, real life, and exciting connections to the course material learned. Unfortunately, not all schools have the opportunity to attend such events due to distance, money, or other circumstances.
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Through the use of technology, teachers and classrooms can be connected to these types of opportunities. Often using technology as a way to deliver these events to students is even better than going to visit as you can accommodate higher numbers of students, customize streaming content for your specific classroom, and get a VIP tour of whatever you are studying. Many museums and exhibits around the world offer distance streaming of many of there big displays as well as can take students on unique tours of the facilities right from the comfort of their desks. To find out if a certain place does this, you can usually just head to their website where they will have a tab or section about classroom education. These courses can range in price from free to a small fee to cover instructors.
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During my final practicum, I had the opportunity to use this to have students witness a laser eye surgery. This was an incredible experience for the students as they got a birds eye view of what it is like to be in the operating room as well as ask other professionals questions about what they saw. Every single student was so engaged with the topic and they talked about it for months afterwards!
Some places that offer distance streaming opportunities I have encountered (not exhaustive at all)
http://www.tyrrellmuseum.com/programs/distance_learning.htm
http://www.sparkscience.ca/education/school-programs/direct-from-the-operating-room/
http://cstmuseum.techno-science.ca/en/education/virtual-programs.php
http://telusworldofscienceedmonton.ca/educators/school-programs/programs-grade/grade-8-programs
​http://askascientist.co.uk/
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