Ms. Law (Science Department)
Vernier Sensors
Teacher - Ms. Law
Subject Area - Science
Technology Used - Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Vernier Sensors, LoggerPro and other Stand-Alone Utilities.
Description -
The goal of this project was to re-introduce the use of digital sensors into the science classrooms at Mackenzie. We were tasked to collect information on the sensors currently owned by the school and assess the condition of these sensors. We were required to figure out how these sensors can be incorporated into various academic areas within the science department. We were also required to present the science department with a budget on additional software/hardware that needed to be purchased in order to incorporate this technology into the curriculum.
All the assigned tasks were evenly distributed between Tiger and Kramay. Due to our other placement, this placement was pushed back until early January. Budgeting, proposals and communication went extremely smoothly. Deciding exactly what needed to be purchased although was tricky because the budget was limited and at the same time, the science department was interested in these sensors. In the end, it was concluded that the $5000+ budget was way beyond what the science department could afford this year and therefore a new budget was prepared for next year.
Later, we found a way of still incorporating all the sensors at no cost to the school by persuading the staff at Vernier to give us free software (an older version which works with current hardware). After receiving this software, all the computers in Room 104 and in the Second Floor Chem Lab were updated with this software using an administrator account. The final part was making sure the sensors worked with the software provided and that was done on the same day as the software installation. We then asked Ms. Law if there was anything else we could do and she said that we had done everything we possibly could.
This placement was very interesting because it not only helped us learn about how these sensors could be used, but it also helped the science department by providing them with a new tool that can be used to better enhance lessons. This placement will play a major role in the education of future students because they will have a better learning experience in science classes at Mackenzie.
Futher Applications in other subject areas
Vernier sensors are a very innovative utility that can greatly enhance science classes. They can help provide demonstrations of difficult concepts, provide students with another perspective of learning and help students who learn better by visual experiences rather than theoretical ones. Although vernier sensors are great for all the sciences, they do not have a lot of application outside the school curriculum. They are limited strictly to classrooms and experiments where they can play a significant role.
Other technology that we used during this placement such as Microsoft Excel and Google Docs are universal tools that can be used with any and every project or assignment. These softwares simply make life easier for students and teachers. Once again, we must stress that Google Docs is a great tool for collaborative work and also for sharing files with others. We used this feature of Google Docs for all our placements. Google Docs may be a great utility but it is not nearly as extensive as Microsoft Office Excel. We used the benefits of each of these utilities in this project to create budgets and inventory checklists. We also used Microsoft Office Word to prepare a detailed inventory report as well as Adobe PDF for presenting the budget.
We truly believe that the uses of technology are endless. All that is required is someone with a creative mind to use the technology to its full potential. The most common software such as MS Word has functionalities that not many people are familiar with. All we need to do is learn about these software so we can better apply them to other subject areas.
Portfolio -
Please note that the materials such as budgets, inventory checklists and other inventory reports are not included in this portfolio because they contain some confidential information. These reports may be presented upon request.
Subject Area - Science
Technology Used - Microsoft Office, Google Docs, Vernier Sensors, LoggerPro and other Stand-Alone Utilities.
Description -
The goal of this project was to re-introduce the use of digital sensors into the science classrooms at Mackenzie. We were tasked to collect information on the sensors currently owned by the school and assess the condition of these sensors. We were required to figure out how these sensors can be incorporated into various academic areas within the science department. We were also required to present the science department with a budget on additional software/hardware that needed to be purchased in order to incorporate this technology into the curriculum.
All the assigned tasks were evenly distributed between Tiger and Kramay. Due to our other placement, this placement was pushed back until early January. Budgeting, proposals and communication went extremely smoothly. Deciding exactly what needed to be purchased although was tricky because the budget was limited and at the same time, the science department was interested in these sensors. In the end, it was concluded that the $5000+ budget was way beyond what the science department could afford this year and therefore a new budget was prepared for next year.
Later, we found a way of still incorporating all the sensors at no cost to the school by persuading the staff at Vernier to give us free software (an older version which works with current hardware). After receiving this software, all the computers in Room 104 and in the Second Floor Chem Lab were updated with this software using an administrator account. The final part was making sure the sensors worked with the software provided and that was done on the same day as the software installation. We then asked Ms. Law if there was anything else we could do and she said that we had done everything we possibly could.
This placement was very interesting because it not only helped us learn about how these sensors could be used, but it also helped the science department by providing them with a new tool that can be used to better enhance lessons. This placement will play a major role in the education of future students because they will have a better learning experience in science classes at Mackenzie.
Futher Applications in other subject areas
Vernier sensors are a very innovative utility that can greatly enhance science classes. They can help provide demonstrations of difficult concepts, provide students with another perspective of learning and help students who learn better by visual experiences rather than theoretical ones. Although vernier sensors are great for all the sciences, they do not have a lot of application outside the school curriculum. They are limited strictly to classrooms and experiments where they can play a significant role.
Other technology that we used during this placement such as Microsoft Excel and Google Docs are universal tools that can be used with any and every project or assignment. These softwares simply make life easier for students and teachers. Once again, we must stress that Google Docs is a great tool for collaborative work and also for sharing files with others. We used this feature of Google Docs for all our placements. Google Docs may be a great utility but it is not nearly as extensive as Microsoft Office Excel. We used the benefits of each of these utilities in this project to create budgets and inventory checklists. We also used Microsoft Office Word to prepare a detailed inventory report as well as Adobe PDF for presenting the budget.
We truly believe that the uses of technology are endless. All that is required is someone with a creative mind to use the technology to its full potential. The most common software such as MS Word has functionalities that not many people are familiar with. All we need to do is learn about these software so we can better apply them to other subject areas.
Portfolio -
Please note that the materials such as budgets, inventory checklists and other inventory reports are not included in this portfolio because they contain some confidential information. These reports may be presented upon request.