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From Why? to Apply! November 1, 2006

Posted by Jeff Giddens in : Astronomy, Chemistry, Earth Science, Emerging Tech, Hardware, Learning, Life Science, Open Source, Physical Science, Reform, Science, Software, Teaching & Learning, Technology, webtools , trackback

There’s a great deal of room for improvement in the way students learn Science. For many educators, using a textbook is the primary means of teaching concepts as diverse as meteorology, geology, chemistry, physics, biology, and astronomy. Although textbooks are far from being extinct or even endangered, there are a great many other resources that can be used when teaching Science. In addition to hands-on activities, we need thoughtful adults who model critical thinking and creative examinations of the world and all its wonders.

Learners need the chance to ask “Why does ____ happen?” and use what they eventually discover within the context of their world. Developing minds also need to be able answer another question: How can apply what I’ve learned in what I do outside of my school with my friends, my family, and myself? Educational environments that carefully, patiently, and appropriately integrate technology afford pupils the opportunity to ask Why? explore new ideas, see them from a number of perspectives, test them in real-world contexts, and apply them to questions and events that originate in locales beyond the classroom and school. Thanks to sturdy hardware (i.e., portable PCs, hand-held devices, probes, digital cameras/video cameras, digital audio-recorders) and the internet, a majority of technology-enhanced resources are perfectly tools for the study of Science.

Listed below are a few resources for educators who are interested in supplementing /transforming otherwise didactic Science lessons. With a few adjustments, otherwise stale allotments of content can become an engaging journeys into essential mysteries that feed curiosity and understanding. This list is by no means exhaustive. Rather, it’s a springboard for further exploration. You can also view our very limited overview video in both WMV and AVI format.

Great sites/tools that foster creativity, innovation, and a hunger for Science:

Astronomy:

Biology:

Chemistry

Earth Science

Ecology:

Light

Magnets/Electricity:

Physical Science: Check out Jerrie Cheek’s awesome Physical Science site!

Physics:

Sound:

States of Matter:

Weather

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Comments

1. Mindy - November 7, 2006

Fantastic list! Any suggestions for the early elementary age group?