Technology-integrated Science Classroom

 

A technology integrated, inquiry based and connected classroom is where teacher lectures less, and students explore more. Where learning is inquiry based, and students develop skills of investigating, communicating, collaborating and evaluating through technology and connectivism.

Technological tools used to achieve this science classroom can be:

• Phone and tablets – to take pictures of slides or dissections which can be uploaded to the class wiki and become part of the class digital textbook. The beauty of this is that students who have missed the lab can refer to it.
• Dataloggers are used to collect primary data in experimental conditions or during fieldwork visits.
• Digital microscopes are used to provide magnification and the digital version allows the image to be projected immediately onto a large screen for viewing by the whole class. The image can be recorded for use in student reports or stored by the teacher as exemplary specimens.
• Gel electrophoresis is used in biology to separate DNA and RNA fragments.
• V-labs – submitting reports in the form of voicethreads or video
• Google Docs – can also be used to create lab reports
• Videos – such as Khan Academy videos, TED talks, and other informational videos- Youtube
• Livescribe pencasts– is a digital version of your notes and audio come to life as an interactive document called a pencast. Pencast can be created that addresses the content of your lesson, which is interactive and also allows students to revisit lessons anytime, anywhere.
•  Google Jockey – to facilitate interactive learning in classroom where  concept  can be facilitated by teacher and students are to Google information that are needed which can be sent to teacher using Class Moodle and then it can be uploaded to class wiki for sharing.
• Create Glogsters – lets you create online multimedia posters. Combine all kinds of media on one page and create fantastic posters that really tell the story.
• Create a digital product using a tool such as Prezi, Flip Snack, Empressr, Wix, My Brain Shark, or create a screencast, to name a few.

Instead of saying “submit your assignments” a teacher should say “publish your assignment and upload the link to Class Moodle”.

 

That’s the technology- integrated  science classroom.

 

Technology Integrated Planning Framework (TIP)

TIP is a model that aims to guide teachers in integrating technology into their lessons. (Roblyer & Doering, 2012)

The benefits of using technology in science teaching and learning include that technology “can engage student in ways not previously possible”! (MCEETYA), 2005). ICT supports student-centered investigation, and allows data collection and observation where fieldwork is not possible.

The challenges of integrating technology into lesson could be the incompetency of the teacher, lack of technical assistance and access to hardware, software and other resources.

Having said this, technology do not create improvement, its how the teacher utilizes technology, that is most crucial.

 

 

References:

1. Roblyer, M.D. & Doering, A. H. (2012). Integrating Educational Technology into Teaching: Pearson New International Edition, 6th Edition. Pearson (Intl), 08/2013. VitalBook file.
2. Ministerial Council on Education Employment Training and Youth Affairs (MCEETYA). (2005). Pedagogy Strategy – Learning in an Online World: Ministerial Council on Education, Employment, Training and Youth Affairs (Australia and New Zealand).