Teaching and learning secondary school science with current and future

ICT’sEDU 205

By Owen Macer

Mobile devices: The iPod Touch Pocket computer

WiFi internet

Science classroom applications:- Note taking- Global clock functions- Calculating equations- World maps and Weather

forecasts

Media uses for Photos, movies, youtube and music

Image 1: The iPod Touch

Strengths Inexpensive compared to laptops or

computer labs

Mobility

Web applications in the scientific field:- “Earth 3D” represents an image of the

world that can be viewed at different angles

- 3D representations of molecules at high zoom

- Biological applications eg, CT images, students own medical files and drug interactions

Image 2: CT scan of a human head

Image 3: 3D image of a strand of DNA

“Earth 3D” Images

Image 4: location of countries Image 5: Close up of a landscape

Image 6: global View Image 7: Photo of a section earth

Weaknesses Most applications to education are

still in a “visionary stage”

Teacher training

Risks in managing devices- damage, loss of equipment, controlling content,

Charging stations required

Development of classroom management techniques

Initial and ongoing costsImage 8: Broken iTouch

Interactive Websites:BBC Bitesize Combination of audio, video,

animations and student interaction to develop learning concepts

Aims to engage students through active participation

BBC Bitesize website:- Curriculum related- Compliments formal education- Has a set learning structure of

revision, activity and test

Image 9: Bitesize science website

The revision section of the topic ‘Representing motion’

Image 10: page 1 of 7 in the revision section of the learning program

Example of an interactive activity

Image 11: Start Image 12: Info Image 13: Info

Image 14: Info Image 15: Questions Image 16: Finish

The Test at the end

Image 17: Example of the test questions

•The test at the end of the learning module covers the content that was located in the previous two sections.

•Once completed your score is given

•You can have as many attempts at the test as you want

Strengths Students can learn at their own time and pace

Reduce teaching preparation. (no worksheets needed)

Can be accessed at home

Inspires teenagers interest outside formal learning

Develops students computer skills

Engages students into a new learning topic

Promotes reading material

Most are free to use eg. BBC Bitesize

Image 18

Weaknesses The use of humour and music

may be distracting

Only covers general concepts

Doesn’t promote writing tasks

Requires internet and computer access

BBC Bitesize is a UK website so SI units are different Image 19

Interactive whiteboards (IWB’s) Large display that is

connected to a computer

Can be operated using a pen, finger or computer curser

1/7 classrooms will have one by 2011

Can be used for TV/DVD/youtube videos and interactive websites

Podcast: A school principal at a primary school in Ireland speaks about the value of Interactive Whiteboards in classrooms

Image 20: students actively using the IWB

Strengths Improves audio and Video

material

Colourful tool

They can be used to teach externally

Promote active participation of students

Can be connected to a computer

Image 21: Teacher using an interactive whiteboard with the appropriate pen

Weaknesses Preparation

Teacher training

Costs

Visibility

Can be prone to damage i.e. using a whiteboard marker on the screen is a common mistake

Image 22: poor visibility of an IWB

Power point Are used to present

information in slides

Slides can contain text, graphics, movies and other objects

Can be used in a science classroom to show complex concepts

Image 23: Microsoft power point logo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpvgfmEU2Ck

How not do a Power point presentation

Strengths Can be projected onto a screen

Can be used in conjunction with other ICT’s eg. M-learning, interactive whiteboards, internet links and computer based programs

Engaging for students

They can be clear and concise with the use of dot points

Students can make their own

Weaknesses If not used correctly they will fail to engage the

audience (refer to Youtube)

Require computers

Time consuming to create

Require training and instruction to use

The audience is passively involved

ICT’s in EducationTrends Issues Online learning directed

More use of audio, video, interactive flash games

Looking more into mobile education

The more technology used the more power is required which could enhance climate change

May restrict science lessons from performing practical activities if teachers can access these online

Students may not develop literacy and numeracy if ICT’s are over used

Older generation teachers may struggle to adjust to rapid advances in technology

Behaviour management will be managed differently

Table 1: trends and issues with ICT’s in Education.

Implications for teachers Training programs will have to be

implemented for each individual ICT so they are used appropriately

Teachers will need to collaborate with colleagues, students, local community and the wider community to teach this effectively

Will have to seek student feedback to find out if their opinions on specific ICT’s

References: Images Image 1 : http://www.ipodfactory.com/images/itouch.jpg http://www.earth3d.org/ Image 2:

http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/archive/d/da/20060904231838!Head_CT_scan.jpg Image 3;

http://www.3dscience.com/img/Products/3D_Models/Biology/DNA/DNA_w_Phosphate_structure Images 4-7: http://www.earth3d.org/ Image 8: http://www.spicu.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/03/itouch_broken.jpg Image 9 and 19: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/patterns/ Image 10:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/schools/gcsebitesize/science/quizengine?quiz=edexcelgroupsintheperiodictable&templateStyle=science

Images 11-16: http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/science/edexcel/patterns/groupsact.shtml Image 17:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/apps/ifl/schools/gcsebitesize/science/quizengine?quiz=edexcelgroupsintheperiodictable&templateStyle=science

Image 18: http://www.picturesof.net/_images/student_watching_the_clock_080612-172209-092001.jpg

Image 20: http://www.ftworthfamilyhomes.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/interactive-whiteboard.jpg Image 21: http://www.cisb.com.cn/UploadFile/Illustration/image/smart_board_04.jpg Image 22: http://www.ivci.com/images/smart-board-600i-interactive-whiteboard-photo.jpg Image 23: http://www.contrib.andrew.cmu.edu/~iclanton/CCM-Website/images/PowerPointLogo.png

References: Information Journal Article: Banister, Savilla (2010) 'Integrating the iPod Touch in K-12 Education:

Visions and Vices', Computers in the Schools, 27: 121 — 131

Podcast:http://blog.teachnet.ie/?p=1612 Accessed 7/8/2010

Table 1: Constructed by Owen Macer 7/8/2010

Interactive websitehttp://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/sciences Accessed 7/8/2010

YouTube:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lpvgfmEU2Ck Accessed 7/8/2010