Using Virtual Labs to Teach Science Students

Majoring in Biology, I have taken a number of science related classes. Many of the science classes include time-consuming labs. In high school, labs were often performed with many materials over a course of a three to four days. Doing labs was a tedious process that did not guarantee a correct outcome. The point that the teacher was trying to prove with the lab was often simple and straightforward.

To save time and resources, high school science teachers should utilize websites that allow them to perform virtual labs. Virtual labs take the students into a virtual laboratory and teach them about lab procedures. The students are able to ignore the confusing lab instructions, as the virtual labs guide them in performing the lab step-by-step. The labs allow the students to perform experiments, collect data, and assess their hypothesis and predictions. They often include detailed illustrations and animations that demonstrate complex ideas to students. As a result, students are able to see “the big picture” of the lab and gain a higher understanding of the topic.

I am not suggesting for virtual labs to completely replace real labs, but I think more teachers should utilize them, as they can enhance a student’s learning experience while saving time.

References/ Website for Virtual Labs:

http://www.hhmi.org/biointeractive/explore-virtual-labs

Using Wii Fit for Physical Education in Schools

Many students dread physical education classes in school. Besides the very athletic children, many students feel embarrassed or uninterested in gym classes. I know I did. It had to do with how most physical education teachers taught the class. Often favoring the athletic people, the teachers would design their lesson plans assuming that everyone was equally fit. Their activities were not designed to improve their students’ health or fitness level. Instead, they would focus every week on teaching a different sport.

A way to improve physical education classes can be through technology that almost every student enjoys— video games. The Wii can be used to teach the students about different techniques, all while monitoring their progress. The Wii Fit offers a wide variety of challenges and lessons that focus on strength training, aerobics, balance, and yoga. By monitoring the player, who stands on the Wii Balance Board, a virtual trainer is able to track one’s performance and offer suggestions based on it. The Wii Balance Board is also able to measure weight and BMI. It allows the player to set weekly or monthly goals based on their health.

Although it is difficult for schools to provide a Balance Board for each student, a few Balance Boards can be effective, as well. Students can take turns using the board. Those without the board can still follow along to the trainer’s instructions and learn how to do lunges, planks, sun salutation, deep breathing, etc.

The Wii can be an effective tool to engage students and get them excited about gym class. Through the Wii, teachers can monitor student’s progress and teach them about various exercises or concepts they did not know of.

References:

http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/hoiNtus4JvIcPtP8LQPyud4Kyy393oep 

Preparing with Khan Academy

     When the students are in the classroom, the teacher should be the ones teaching them. They are the ones doing the examples and making sure the students get understanding from what is being taught. There are other times when the teacher is not there and the student must work out the problems on their own. If a teacher lets the students use Khan Academy, then they can work on problems outside of class and check their answers or get help on problems they are struggling with.

     Khan Academy is a free online learning center to help students who are struggling in a variety of subjects. From simple level math to the farther reaches of calculus, biology, chemistry, physics, and a variety of subjects that many students struggle with on a daily basis. These tools, however, would be used by students outside the classroom if a homework problem is difficult for them to understand or are missing the point. Khan Academy can also be used inside the classroom when preparing for the upcoming state or national exams given out by the government. There are parts of Khan Academy specifically used for preparing for exams like the ACT, SAT, MCAT, among other national and state exams. This is a great way for the teacher to help prepare the students for what will be on the exam and let the students see how to get the right answers.

     One of the best at home uses for Khan Academy is working with it when they're testing in or out of a class. This usually occurs over the summer for students who wish to advance of some of their classmates. While it is likely that the teacher would not assign you problems off of Khan Academy, his or her parents could create an account for the student to go through algebra, or whatever class he or she is trying to get out of, and it gives them extra help and practice. This way, the students can be prepared and move on with ease. A great tool for both teachers and students and can be used flexibly in a variety of circumstances to fit the teachers and students needs.

Plickers: Easy For Students, Easy For Teachers

Last semester I was putting together a lesson plan for one of my practicum classes. I was excited and confident in my lesson, there was only one part I was unsure of, how to incorporate technology? The classroom I was in had one old computer in the back that barely turned on, and that was all when it came to technology. So, what do I do now? I started researching and I came across a very useful tool called Plickers.

Plickers is a free app that can be downloaded from Android or IOS. You also need the picture cards, that you can print for free at Plickers.com/cards, or you can buy a laminated version at amazon.com for twenty dollars. Each student will get a card that has a number on it and the answer choices A, B, C, and D. Teachers can go to Plickers.com and add different classes and students. Students will get assigned a card number automatically. Teachers can create their own true and false or multiple choice questions. In the classroom, the teacher can open the app, select a questions, and scan all of the students answers. This gives the students and teacher instant feedback. 

Plickers can be used as an assessment or for quickly checking for understanding. This app will give you instant results letting the teacher know how many of the students answered correctly, and who those students were. This tool makes sure that all students are participating and allowing the teacher see where each student/individual is at. Unlike most other assignments, Plickers will seem more like a game to students, instead of an traditional assignment.

The "flipped" Classroom - A new approach to use technology in education

       One of the lowest ranking schools in Detroit is called Clintondale classroom. Administrators, board members, and the community at large have worked hard to establish many different methods to approach the education of the youth in that school in hopes of a better outcome and primarily a rise in the standardized test scores. 

       The school decided to incorporate the use of technology in their education plan for better results. The established what is called the "flipped" classroom method. This meaning that homework is done in class, while lectures are via the internet every night from home. This does not sound like the traditional classroom routine that were used to; in fact, it is the exact opposite. However, many teachers and administrators report that there has been a rising improvement with student grades and test performances. 

      Every night, when students get home they know to open their computers, tablets, or what ever technology resource they use to either watch a lecture recorded by the instructor and take notes or go through a PowerPoint created to summarize the lesson and take notes. Students are expected to take precise notes each night about the lesson and come to class with any questions or concerns that they have about the lesson. The instructor will take a few moments in the beginning of class the next day to address these questions and review key elements. Then as a class, students are expected to jump right into the homework as the instructor circulates around the classroom to help students throughout the homework assignment. 

       This is an interesting approach to implementing technology in education in a positive way where the school has really noticed a dramatic increase in student performance and overall grades. One instructor explained that it is almost impossible for students to have missing assignments because they do it in class and with the help or assistance of the instructor available. This increases student understanding and motivation to complete the assignment. 

      I'll be honest, when I first read about this approach, I thought to my self that this is ridiculous because it totally conflicts with our traditional classroom that were used to. However, after I realized what an impact it can make to better results in educating students I thought it is brilliant. However, my number one concern which was not discussed is what happens if a student lacks a technology device to use at home for access of the lecture notes? This is an important factor to consider especially in the city of Detroit where there are many low-income house holds and perhaps parents can not afford internet and a computer or a technological device for their child's academic use.

 link to site: 
http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/what-does-a-flipped-classroom-look-like-2/

In cahoots with Kahoot!

  With smartphones becoming an everyday part of both students and teachers lives, why not take advantage of all of the free applications that can be downloaded and used in an educational manor in the classroom? During my senior year, AP classes were a drag, but what I looked forward to each day was using the free app called Kahoot.

  

  What is Kahoot? Kahoot is a simple and free app that creates a "Kahoot" aka a fun learning activity composed of a series of multiple choice questions. Images, videos, graphs, and more can be added to those questions to add to the fun. Once the teacher creates a "kahoot"(set of multiple choice questions and answers) it is assigned a specific game pin. All the students have to do is download the free app on their smartphone, tablet, laptop, etc. then type in their teachers game pin. As the question pops up on the teachers big screen, it does the same on each student's device. They choose and submit which answer they think is correct, then a scoreboard/leader board shows who answered quickest and accurately as well as displaying the correct answer. The more correct answers the more points! 

  This creates a friendly competition within the classroom and even encourages discussion about the topic. It also gets the information into students heads, helping them to remember it a little better. Students get so caught up with trying to get the highest score and answer quickly, that they don't even feel like they are learning! It's pure fun and students will want to have daily kahoots. These work great for reviewing for tests and quizzes and also can be very helpful when learning/remembering vocabulary. Since it allows teachers to create such individualized kahoots, they can be specialized for literally any topic. Overall, a great app to use in any classroom or age group that has access to any devices with internet connection!

Unequal Access to Personal Technology

This post aims to bring up an important topic in using personal technology in schools.  How does unequal access to technology between students, schools, and districts impact students and their future technological fluency?  Not all students have smart phones or access to a computer at home.  Not at schools have Chromebooks for every student or computers in the standard classroom.

If a teacher is incorporating technology into their classroom and will be utilizing student’s smartphones as a means of student feedback, what happens if a student does not have a smartphone to use?  One option for those students is to turn in their answer in the traditional way with a pencil and paper.  This still allows the student to participate but the student may feel left out of the response “game” and it would be more challenging for the teacher to consolidate all the assessment responses for analysis.  Another potential problem if a teacher wants students to complete online homework.  How do the student who have no computers at home participate?  Is it fair to ask them to take the extra steps to go to the public library to access the internet?  This would require significantly more effort compared to students have easy access to computers and the internet.

There is also unequal access to new technologies in various schools and districts.  Some schools have Chromebooks for each student where other schools have outdated desktop computers only.  Students who only have access to old desktops at school may have a harder time participating in online activities in the classroom or using the computer as an reference throughout the class.  There is enormous benefit to having mobile access to a computer that can be used in a standard classroom (not a computer lab).

This issue may be trivial or it may negatively impact students with unequal access throughout the country.  Are students with greater access to personal technology in the classroom more prepared for college or does it not make a difference?  These are important questions to consider when incorporating personal technology in your classroom.