Science on the Computer

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Science on the Computer

• Dr. Frank Jenkins
• Centre for Mathematics Science and Technology
  Education (CMASTE)
• 382 Education South

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Just another tool in the kit.

• Computer with projector or TV
• Black/whiteboard
• Overhead projector
• Slide projector
• Videotape machine
• DVD player
• Audiotape player

• Textbook
• Reference books
• Wall charts
• Student displays
• Newspaper articles
• Household items
• Magazines and professional journals

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Projection systems

• Using a TV as a large screen monitor
• Computer interfaces are available.
• E.g., AverKey or VideoKey
• Stores like Future Shop also carry these.
• Using a data projector
• Now available in the 1-2 k range.
• Can be used at school and home.
• The better ones can be used at home as a TV, with
  the purchase of a TV receiver from a provider.

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Where do we use software?

• use in the classroom for instruction/demos
• use for instruction in the classroom, library or
  home
• use at home and at school
• S/T use in the lab
• S/T use for testing
• (Try to get that 1 computer in your classroom.)

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Teacher Use Software Desirable Characteristics

• ease of classroom use
• large graphics (full screen)
• flexibility in presentations
• customize examples and formats
• author considers and implements suggested
  improvements
• SI and IUPAC

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Student Use Software Desirable Characteristics

• interactive and intuitive interface
• enhancements
• video, animations
• appropriate use of text short, hypertext terms
• drill practice cycles and feedback
• customizable database and formats
• teacher control of access and ability to monitor
  student use
• SI and IUPAC

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Why use a computer for instruction?

• Multiple Intelligences
• linguistic
• logical-mathematical
• kinesthetic
• visual
• musical
• interpersonal
• intrapersonal
• naturalistic

• Learning Styles
• visual
• auditory
• tactile/kinesthetic
• How are you catering to the various ways that
  students learnstatically (at one stage) or
  progressively (through stages)? gt

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Evidential Bases

• wet lab
• demonstration
• dry lab (lab exercise)
• thought experiment
• field trip

• computer probes
• video lab
• video analysis
• simulation/ animation
• remote access
• gt
• (See Evidential Bases PP.)

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Photolab Simulation Hybrid
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Software that we will look at

• SIRs Software
• Nelson Thomson Learning (publisher) gt
• VESPRplex
• Molecular modelling
• Canadian Scientists
• ATA Science Council
• CMASTE
• Searchable on-line database of resources

• Simulations by MAP
• cannon ball--constructivist
• Video Analysis
• E.g., Multimedia Motion (Cambridge)
• Computerized Test Bank
• from Nelson Chemistry
• Computer probes
• Vernier sensor packages

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www.CRYSTAL-Alberta.ca

• Centre for Research in Youth Science Teaching and
  Learning
• Prototypes for reasoning and deep understanding
• textual prototypes for science reasoning
• textual prototypes for math reasoning
• visual prototypes for science reasoning
• visual prototypes for math reasoning gt

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Publisher Textbook Access

• Publishers provide
• textbook on-line
• teachers resource on-line
• simulations on-line
• E.g., Nelson Chemistry
• Student resource
• Teacher resource (TR)

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The many uses of SIRs(available from
www.nelson.com )

• complementing words used in the classroom
• complementing labs used in the laboratory
• teaching lab processes e.g., titration
• instructor simulations e.g., voltaic cells
• student simulations e.g., calorimetry
• creating worksheets e.g., chemical equilibrium
• creating lab exercises e.g., electrolytic cells
• giving tests e.g., electrochemical cells lt

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Evidential Bases for CTU Cycle
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Computers assisting all students

• Visual learners are given a greater chance for
  success when computer graphics are used in the
  classroom. gt
• Visual learners have not had an equal chance in
  classrooms of the pastthere is no excuse now.
• Presenting evidence in a science classroom should
  always be a prioritycomputers can add several
  evidential bases (see list). gt

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Remember

• The computer is just one more media tool to help
  student be successful.

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Contact Information

• Dr. Frank Jenkins
• fjenkins_at_ualberta.net
• 492-0148
• CMASTE
• www.CMASTE.ca and www.CRYSTALAlberta.ca
• 382 Education South
• University of Alberta
• Good luck in your teaching career. ?