EUDOXOS PROJECT UNDER ITALIAN SKY

Teacher’s point of view

Autumn 2002 project start (plan and strategy) Spring 2003 lessons start: first group of students September 2003 lessons start: second group of

students Summer 2004 end of the project

DATES

The project involved 2 different groups of students in different periods, totally 45 pupils.

Two teachers worked together and with the same groups of students.

ICT experts had been involved too

PEOPLE

Internet connection Theory and lessons plan from Eudoxos web

site Kefallonia telescopes Computers (one for each student) and

software Internet videoconference Meetings and suggestions with partner

schools Questionnaire of the students

RESOURCES

Explanation of theory by traditional lesson in the classroom.

Design of the experiment (e.g. focus on the parameters to be set for the photographs)

Use of PC and internet to submit and to receive the request of the pictures from Eudoxos web page

Work with different software to develop the data and make calculus

Data analysis from students (workgroup) Prepare a report about the subject of the experiment

Structure of the lessons

Give students theoretical details they need to manage their experiment

Let students elaborate and deepen the theory Help them to use the software programs that they

need Help and give advices about the experiment

design and the use of application program to carry out the data analysis.

Collect and evaluate the reports of the students

HOW TEACHERS WORKED

Comparison between prior students knowledge

Quality of answer provided by students on the reports

Students participation: attention and direct involvement in each phase of activity

Number and quality of students’ questions, students feeling

Quality of reports provided by students

Evaluation keys

Each student was asked to provide the worksheet used for the data analysis and the report.

Some students had difficulties in using software application programs and often in mathematics: their report was poor (around 20%)

Around 10% of worksheets and reports were excellent

WORKSHEET

Almost all students could follow the teacher’s explanations and a majority of them was able use the software that they need.

Workgroups have been well accepted from the students

A good part of the class have been punctual to present the reports.

Some student put good questions related to the experience.

PARTECIPATION

25% failed (no interest, difficulties in mathematics and in PC use, poor report)

65% almost all achieved minimum results 10% more than expected (report in English, deep

research at home on the web and/or on books...)

Evaluation Results

From Athens meeting we have guidelines suggestions and lesson planes very well designed.

To work on a real research telescope and to do a research activity gave us a special opportunity

Science can provide interesting examples of mathematical application

To combine a lot of different disciplines can be more interesting for students attention and let them to understand how to work in group

WHAT TEACHERS LEARNED

Positive reaction: they usually don’t use them at school very much. Interest in how an IT network works and in remote control of the telescope.

Students could made a clearer idea of the great opportunities offered by the web and by a PC network world: web can be used for scientifically proposes (not only for amusing with music games or films downloads)

REACTION TO E-TOOLS (STUDENTS)

Mostly satisfied: we enjoyed the lessons, the possibility to make new experiences and renew students curricula.

It is positive for a teacher to find new ways in teaching science (and physics in particular).

REACTION TO E-TOOLS (THEACHERS)

Improve their use of general purpose application programs

They understand that working together is useful in a research activity: often teamwork given better results (and the job market asks for it)

CONCLUSION

Finally we can say that the students: