Integrating Technology to Learn Math and Science

Ontario curriculum strongly emphasizes learning science by the inquiry-based framework, as inquiry is central to the teaching and learning of science. Inquiry-based learning is based on the constructivist approach as it encourages learners to learn inductively through concrete experiences and observation with the help of real-world exemplars (Colburn, 2004). Collecting data through observations or measurements is a key element in science education. Often times, students use a wide range of instruments to collect, analyze and interpret data. For example, most widely used equipment are thermometers, pH paper, ammeters, voltmeters and hygrometers. T he collected data is written down and then represented in tables/ graphs for further calculations, interpretations or to draw various conclusions. Until recently, this was done and still being done in many parts of the world manually. Today, however, another dimension of technology being used in science labs (besides Simulations) known as ...

In this post, I am again going to refer to the parents and teachers regarding one of the latest trends in K-12 education, “flipping the classroom.” The model better known as ‘ Flipped classroom ’ needs no introduction, in the education community.   In the simplistic form, flipping the classroom means teacher provides their lessons as homework to the students; that implies much of the direct instruction is sent home, and the homework is done at the school. The homework (lectures or the  learning material) is in the form of videos, podcasts or audio lessons and can be seen or heard on the computer, iPads, cell phone or television. The aim of flipping the classroom is varied ranging from the introduction, exploring, reviewing the topics/lessons, and also to supplement the classroom experience/material. It also provides the opportunity to the students to rewind or re-watch the lessons. This helps to create more classroom time   that can be used for in-depth discus...

I have encountered so many parents complaining and worrying that their child does not seem interested in studying; all he or she does is sit in front of computer playing games or watching videos. Sometimes they overlook the fact that in an era where our lives are so interwoven with technology, incorporating technology for their learning is certainly the best bet. And that is what our education system is thriving for; as its vision is to create an effective learning community with the wise use of technology. So parents, if you see your child sitting in front of computer, ipad, doing a video recording or playing with latest apps for his school work, certainly he or she is a 21st century learner. A 21st century learner has higher digital literacy, is a natural thinker, creative, communicative, and is a good collaborator; whereby he/she has got the freedom to show the innate qualities, as well as to monitor his/her own learning, be able to set goals and most importantly they learn by...

Another good resource, I found worth trying is  WizIQ . This is a web-based virtual classroom software that is designed for teachers to do on-line teaching, tutoring, or to even create a course.  Its online teaching tool helps teachers to design, manage and deliver their own online courses and run virtual live or recorded classrooms.  This tool works on any ope rating system, requires no installation and offers browser-like tabbed interface and MS Office like keyboard shortcuts. One just need to log in to start their online classroom and can invite any number of attendees, it could be just one student getting one-on-tutoring or many people attending it. It is also designed to help teachers to develop subject expertise as they can attend public classes given by experts on a variety of topics. Worth mentioning it is also great for students as they can attend online classes, find teachers, download educational tutorials and can even attempt and create their own onl...

Just happened to run across the news entitled Valve introduces 'Teach with Portals'   yesterday, question I pondered was, what is it? After some research I found that Portal 2 is a gaming platform developed by Valve studios to teach students basically the concepts of physics but also extends  to maths, chemistry, engineering and language arts. Based on Valve’s best-selling game, Portal 2, it is free educational collection of puzzles and teacher-created content that helps to build an innovative curriculum.  Vow part is that it also offers free lesson plans for teachers. All they have to do is to do a sign-up process for the summer beta and once approved by the education team, they are ready to go!  I could not stop myself from exploring the lesson plans in Physics based on this amazing world of gaming. Here is the sneak-peak at the descriptions of summary of few lesson plans- On Specific velocity - Students will have freedom in this lesson to build a puzzle that...

Screen Shot of Projectile Motion As I spent years in Physics laboratory, I remember it was fun working hand-ons, doing different laboratory exercises. However, sometimes the fun part used to be destroyed by the instrumental errors. I t would take days sometimes to mend the equipment, and we had to start all over again.  The other problems usually encountered with the real laboratory settings are; large amount of time needed to schedule and run experiments and there is a constant need to replace or upgrade the equipments.  Though I still believe that hand on activities are integral to the scientific process of enquiry but their effect is enhanced if we integrate simulations and animations into them. It has been acknowledged long that by integrating computer-based activities with the real laboratory settings, students are actively engaged in learning. In the paper, Can Computer Simulations Replace Real Equipment in Undergraduate Laboratories? Finkelstein et...

The BioEthics Education Project is an interactive website and virtual-learning environment for secondary school science teachers and students. It is a teaching resource developed to highlight the moral, ethical, social, economic, environmental and technological implications and applications of biology.   The BEEP has been formed with the aim to ensure that 21st century learners must also learn about ethical issues prevailing concerning our ecosystem while learning science at the school.  This website is particularly suited for high-school students and allows them to learn about the bio ethical issues through individual critical thinking and by discussions with others.  The term ‘Bioethics’ is derived from combining Biological Science+ Ethics= Bioethics.  The core idea behind ‘Bioethics’ is that it concerns  many decisions we make, based on thinking of what is right or wrong, about the biosphere, ecosystems, habitats, environment, organisms...

Logo of Geometer's Sketchpad Today information and communication technology (ICT) have  provided a wide range of tools that significantly enriches math teachers’ instructional strategies and support students’ learning in mathematics. These ICT tools can be used both for whole-class instruction or to design programs that meet diverse needs of student by the teacher. Screenshot of Fathom Screenshot of Graphic Calculator Many useful ICT tools include multimedia resources, databases, and different websites that give access to large amounts of statistical data, and computer-assisted learning modules. Besides the software tools such as Geometer’s Sketchpad , Excel , Fathom , Graphmatica , Graphing Calculators , Winplot , SMART Notebook and Graphcalc.com etc. are great to supplement various mathematical topics effectively. Along with these come many applications such as databases, spreadsheets, computer algebra systems (CAS), word-processing software, math ...

Being an educator, one of the big questions I always encounter is, how can I differentiate my lessons for the diverse range of learners in the class? For this, I am realizing that by incorporating video at times, one can reach the wide variety of learners.  Integrating visual medium in the lessons is a great way to engage students in the learning process. While searching across the internet on how to integrate or make videos for my lessons, I came across AFI Screen Education Center.   The American Film Institute Screen Education Centre helps to provide K-12 teachers the information and resources to incorporate filmmaking in their classrooms. The AFI Screen Education process is proven to help kids master core curriculum subjects, excel in 21st-century skills and to help how to learn effectively. Since five years its launch, it is providing teachers with hands-on experience in script writing, story boarding, shooting and editing, which they bring back to their students, g...

After working on the topic of ‘Open Content’, I feel that the educator in me is now on a journey of new kind! The words of David Wiley make me think over and over again about the concept of being open in education, “Openness is the sole means by which education is affected. If a teacher is not sharing what he or she knows, there is no education happening. In fact, those educators who share the most thoroughly of themselves with the greatest proportion of their students are the ones we deem successful.” No doubt that sharing knowledge not only helps in building it but also broadens one's horizon of knowledge. Following this philosophy, I have come up with my own initial agenda on how I can contribute to the community of dedicated teachers, students and thousands of volunteers, involved in this cause. Below is the list of few websites for finding open content materials specifically for high school science and mathematics where students can find unlimited information on many topic...

                                                              Not anymore kiddie, I tweeted it!       Kids love working on the cellphones, iPads or computers. So why not use them for their studies. Many teachers worldwide are using various forms of technology in their lesson plans. And Twitter is one of them and that does not need any introduction. A great deal of information is available for educators on how to maximize its use. It is a great tool to announce homework, due dates, and providing links to useful resources, books or videos. I am really interested in knowing how a Science teacher can incorporate it in his or her lessons, so I have come up with a list of few ideas: Remind about bringing your/their favorite science textbook to the class on a specific day Post latest research and ask thei...

Let us talk Math! I remember many years back when I was a student; there was very less emphasis on discussion in the class during the session. Best students would be those who were sitting silently and seems to be working seriously! There is no doubt in the fact that there are different learning styles. However, in changing times, there is more focus on activity-based courses where children learn to become confident problem solvers by engaging in meaningful talks and that could be in pairs, small groups or in whole groups. The National Council for Teachers of Mathematics (NCTM) Standards emphasizes the need for students to discuss their mathematical thinking as a way to increase understanding. There are many ways to engage students in purposeful math talk. Asking questions is one of the important ways by which they learn to reason mathematically. Some of the significant questions that could motivate and engage students to get involved in meaningful ‘Math Talk’ are; What do you th...