Mrs. Idestrom 2014-Kamna Gandhi
Description of Placement
Ms. Idestrom wanted to include more technology in her classroom to help her students understand various concepts in science better. She asked me to find more interactive material (e.g., videos, dry labs, simulations) for her website. My teacher had heard about the various technologies that our Science department had been using, so she also wanted to learn about other technologies (e.g. Edmodo, text polls) available. In addition, she wanted to conduct an activity with net books with her grade 9 applied Science class and her grade 10 (ESL) academic Science class.
My main goal was to find virtual simulations to make complex Science concepts more tangible. Thus, I spent much of my time trying out the different games and simulations and reflected on whether the technology would have been useful to me for when I was taking junior level sciences. I also made sure that the websites used simple language and had an auditory and visual component to them to support ESL classrooms.
I created this handout for Mrs. Idestrom summarizing all of my my major findings. It includes the general website for all of them, so perhaps Mrs. Idestrom can browse through them to find other useful modules, as well as my picks. Also, I listed my suggestions about the possible ways she can implement them through her website or through the usage of net books.
My main goal was to find virtual simulations to make complex Science concepts more tangible. Thus, I spent much of my time trying out the different games and simulations and reflected on whether the technology would have been useful to me for when I was taking junior level sciences. I also made sure that the websites used simple language and had an auditory and visual component to them to support ESL classrooms.
I created this handout for Mrs. Idestrom summarizing all of my my major findings. It includes the general website for all of them, so perhaps Mrs. Idestrom can browse through them to find other useful modules, as well as my picks. Also, I listed my suggestions about the possible ways she can implement them through her website or through the usage of net books.
interactivematerial.docx | |
File Size: | 20 kb |
File Type: | docx |
Uses in other Classes/Subjects
Labs that are done in the classroom can sometimes be a hassle, as experiments can go wrong, there might not be enough resources available and there may be real life time constraints. Mrs. Idestrom said that especially conducting circuit activities was difficult due to broken wires and light bulbs, so she would rather just have them do it virtually. Dry labs are a great way to explore various Science concepts for all levels of the Sciences and the best part is that no post-lab clean up is required, since they are mess free!
One of the major websites I found simulations was Phet. It contains hundreds of
simulations for both upper and lower level Sciences and Math. In fact, I think I will definitely be using the Calculus Grapher next semester for myself! Teachers can search for simulations according to the grade level and subject.These types of modules and simulations can be implemented in the classroom in a variety of ways. Teachers can post these modules on to their website and make students fill out worksheets or even do a full post-lab report for homework. Alternatively, they can do an in class activity with the usage of net books or computers. Teachers can also use these simulations in their lessons and showcase them to students on Smartboards.
Overall, the interactive material I found can make the lives of teachers and students easier and a lot of it may be used for many other subject areas and grade levels.
Labs that are done in the classroom can sometimes be a hassle, as experiments can go wrong, there might not be enough resources available and there may be real life time constraints. Mrs. Idestrom said that especially conducting circuit activities was difficult due to broken wires and light bulbs, so she would rather just have them do it virtually. Dry labs are a great way to explore various Science concepts for all levels of the Sciences and the best part is that no post-lab clean up is required, since they are mess free!
One of the major websites I found simulations was Phet. It contains hundreds of
simulations for both upper and lower level Sciences and Math. In fact, I think I will definitely be using the Calculus Grapher next semester for myself! Teachers can search for simulations according to the grade level and subject.These types of modules and simulations can be implemented in the classroom in a variety of ways. Teachers can post these modules on to their website and make students fill out worksheets or even do a full post-lab report for homework. Alternatively, they can do an in class activity with the usage of net books or computers. Teachers can also use these simulations in their lessons and showcase them to students on Smartboards.
Overall, the interactive material I found can make the lives of teachers and students easier and a lot of it may be used for many other subject areas and grade levels.