Digital Toolbox for Blended Learning
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The document discusses the challenges in engaging students with science education and emphasizes the importance of using technology and web 2.0 tools to enhance learning. It offers various strategies for teachers to connect with students, introduce topics, facilitate collaborations, and assess learning through digital platforms. The author highlights the significance of fostering a passion for learning rather than merely focusing on content knowledge.
Digital Toolbox for Blended Learning
- 1. Digital Toolbox for Blended Learning Britt Gow
- 2. Science and Maths teacher Hawkesdale P12 College SW Victoria Technoscience blog since 2008 Twitter @brittgow brittgow@gmail.com
- 3. “A decade ago, a review of Australian science education, revealed many students were disappointed with their high school science. Today, this disenchantment continues, as evidenced by the declining number of students choosing to study science in senior secondary school.” Prof. S. Cory
- 4. Created online with “Create-A-Graph” http://nces.ed.gov/nceskids/index.asp
- 5. “If our kids are going to live longer than us, they need to have a passion for learning to sustain them. Not content knowledge, but learning to learn. One eighth of the 21st century is gone already – get cracking with 21st century learning” Stephen Heppell
- 8. Today’s learner’s are: • Multi-taskers • Digitally literate • Mobile and connected 24/7 • Experiential and Social • Visual / spatial learners with • Fast response times & short attention spans
- 9. • The Power to Engage • Students use technology already • It's not going to go away...it will only grow • Professional development • Employers want their workers to use internet tools
- 11. “Teaching is an art form not a delivery system.” “A tool is only as powerful as the creativity of the person who uses it.” “A cupboard full of instruments does not produce music – a suitcase of web tools does not lead to creativity on it’s own.” Sir Ken Robinson
- 13. I get overwhelmed by all the choices – there are so many different web2.0 tools and informative resources to use! Try a social bookmarking site:
- 14. How can I get to know my students better at the beginning of the school year? Try using Survey Monkey or Google Docs to create a student survey about their strengths, interests and concerns.
- 15. How can I introduce a new topic with web2.0 tools? You can use Flickr and PowerPoint to create slideshow of interesting images around your topic.
- 17. How can I connect with experts using web2.0 tools? Use Skype or Blackboard Collaborate to participate in presentations, ask questions and connect with scientists.
- 18. We use Skype and Blackboard Collaborate to connect with our Scientist in Schools partner, Melissa Toifl, from CSIRO Land and Water Technologies, in Highett and Clayton.
- 19. Peter Barnett, Geologist from Hot Rocks Ltd. Connecting with experts in the field increases motivation and engagement by allowing students to ask questions and actively participate in presentations.
- 20. Participation in web conferences with ActWild, facilitated by the Melbourne Zoo, develops student knowledge and empathy for our wildlife.
- 21. Students collect data about tree growth to upload to the Smithsonian Institute website, where scientists use the data for climate change research.
- 22. In 2011 and 2012 I have used Blackboard Collaborate to teach Unit 3 and 4 VCE Environmental Science to students from different schools around the state. We connected for 90 minutes each week synchronously and used my blog, email and Facebook asynchronously. We have met at Ecolinc, Bacchus Marsh in term 1 and at EcoBeach Apollo Bay YHA during term 3 holidays.
- 23. How can I find out what my students already know about a topic? Try creating a group word cloud using Google Docs and Wordle or Tagxedo.
- 26. How can you encourage students to connect different concepts or show their understanding of how ideas are related? Inspiration (edustar), Bubbl.us (online) and Freemind (download) are free digital mind mapping tools that are easy to use and display on blogs.
- 29. How can mobile devices be used effectively to enhance science learning? Use mobile phones to scan QR codes, take pictures or record data during excursions and trips outside into the school garden.
- 30. Students can create their own webpage in a wiki and use the URL to create a QR (quick response) code that directs the user to the information in their webpage.
- 32. How can you encourage students to work together, collaborate on projects and share their results? Google Docs and Wikispaces are free tools that allow students to work together online.
- 33. International Energy Challenge 150 students, five schools, three countries and 12 energy sources. http://energychallenge.wikispaces.com/
- 34. How can students describe experiments or work together to explain the results of investigations? Voicethread is a simply wonderful way to use images with audio and text.
- 35. My students have difficulty remembering definitions of scientific terms – how can I help? Quizlet and Flashcards db are online tools where students can create digital Flashcards, which can be used online or printed out. There is a similar app for iPods and iPads called Flashcardlet.
- 37. How can I help my students revise effectively for tests? Quiz Revolution (formerly My Studiyo) is a free tool for creating online multiple choice quizzes. It is simple for students to create their own quizzes and send a link by email to their friends and teacher or embed the quiz into a blog. Quizlet is similar.
- 39. How can students demonstrate their understanding of a topic? Ask students to create a digital story using Animoto, Slideshare, Photostory, Win dows Movie Maker or iMovie.
- 40. Your students can enter the 60 second science competition by explaining a scientific concept. http://www.60secondscience.net/
- 41. How can students ask questions or give you feedback about lessons? Use student, teacher or class blogs to connect, communicate, collaborate and learn collectively.
- 42. How can I find out what students learnt during a lesson or what they may not have understood? Wallwisher can be used as an exit slip – a short, low-stakes, assessment task. A prompted (or unprompted) written reflection that is posted online.
- 43. • What did you learn about cells today? • How could you get a magnification of x400? • What is the difference between a light microscope and a stereo microscope?
- 44. REFERENCES Prof. Suzanne Cory’s National Press Club Address on 28th September, 2011 http://theconversation.edu.au/science-maths- and-the-future-of-australia-3577 Survey by STA and Academy of Science at http://www.fasts.org/images/News2010/science %20literacy%20report%20final%20270710.pdf (04/10/2011) Teaching the 21st Century Learner at http://depd.wisc.edu/series/06_4168.pdf