Nov05

How do you use SciLinks?

At the NSTA conference in Minneapolis, last week, I asked a number of teachers how they use SciLinks. Here's Fran Weber's response via Teacher Tube.
 

How do you use SciLinks? What could we do to make it better? Please let us know via comment to this post, or zip me a note -- tbrown@nsta.org.

--Tyson Brown

Published: Nov-05-09 | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

Oct28

SciLinks and Cooperative Learning

Earlier this month, I was asked to search for and upload resources on cooperative learning for SciLinks (use the keyword "community collaborations"). There were many good sites, although some were published in the 1990s (interesting but a bit outdated) and were therefore not added to SciLinks. However, I found some newer sites that would be useful as a refresher, to find some new ideas, or to get started with this effective instructional strategy

Powerful Learning: Studies Show Deep Understanding Derives from Collaborative Methods was recently published on the Edutopia website. The authors (Brigid Barron and Linda Darling-Hammond) summarize research findings and provide examples of student collaborative projects. Download their expanded article Teaching for Meaningful Learning for more information (including links to video resources) and for a list of research studies and other professional writing on the topic.

The Science Education Resource Center (SERC) at Carleton College has an excellent resource "Teaching Entry Level Geoscience." Although it's designed for teachers of undergraduate courses, the teaching strategies are applicable to younger students as well (and include descriptions of gallery walks, field labs, role-playing, teaching with Google Earth, and others). The section on Cooperative Learning has lots of suggestions on this topic.

Cooperative and Collaborative Learning is a resource from WNET Thirteen Ed Online in its Concept to Classroom project. The four parts of the site guide the user through background information and suggestions for implementation: Explanation, Demonstration, Exploration, Implementation. Throughout this site, the emphasis is on real classrooms and includes ideas for assessment and a discussion of some challenges that might be encountered. There are video clips of actual classrooms (including science classes) using cooperative learning, too.
Published: Oct-28-09 | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

Sep28

Bits and Pieces for September

Rather than competing with the commercial hoopla around Halloween, perhaps we science teachers could do our own special celebrations that relate to science concepts. For example, it's not too early to plan events for Mole Day, celebrated on October 23 (10/23) from 6:02 a.m. to 6:02 p.m. The timing of this event celebrates Avogadro’s number -- 6.02 * 10^23 For more information on the concept of a “mole," enter Avogadro into the SciLinks keyword search. You’ll get a list of websites related to moles and to the work of this scientist.

This day is also used to celebrate the science of chemistry and its applications. The National Mole Day Foundation’s website has background information, themes, and some suggested activities. The American Chemical Society has embedded Mole Day in its National Chemistry Week events. The ACS site has many resources for students and teachers of all grade levels.

The September issue of Learning and Leading with Technology has a product review of handheld digital field recorders to create high quality sound files.

I've read of some websites that are worth a look: Biovisions from Harvard University has video clips and animations related to biology. Learn Bird Songs includes recordings to help you identify common bird by their songs. And Tech How-To: Podcasts has suggestions for creating and hosting original podcasts.

An online conference sponsored by the Smithsonian Institution focuses on the evidence, impact, and response to climate change. It features Smithsonian scientists, curators, and collections examining the issues surrounding climate change from a variety of perspectives. The conference is scheduled for 9/29/2009-10/1/2009 and it will be archived for later use.
Published: Sep-28-09 | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

Aug14

New Look for SciLinks

I received a "tweet" from NSTA yesterday - the new version of SciLinks is operational! If you've been a longtime user of SciLinks, you'll notice the new look right away. It's more visually appealing but the basic functions are there.

After logging in, you still have the option of searching by a textbook code or keyword. You can save the search for future reference, and you can also start a list of favorite websites for your lesson planning or to share with students. When you try some of the functions, you'll get a note that more features (such as the class roster) are in the works. But I'm glad that the basic functions are available as we get ready for the new school year. If you're a novice to SciLinks, there are several ways you can use the results of your search.

Recommending sites to students. As a teacher, you can provide logins for students to look at particular sites, or you can give them a printed list of suggestions. For interested students, you might go to the next grade level or you could go down a level for students who may struggle with the text. Share a login with the librarian so that he/she can remind students of this resource. In my town, many students use the technology at the local public library. Perhaps the staff there could be alerted to how and why students would access this.

In large group settings. Why just talk about science topics when there are many sites that lend themselves to illustrating the concepts? Building bridges, watching volcanoes erupt, seeing animals congregate around a water hole at night, or accessing photographs and video of various topics bring these topics to life. If you’re fortunate enough to have a smart board or projection unit, using a simulation or video clip with the class or a small group of students could be an engaging experience for them – and the resources are free and ready when you are. Print out or save some of the pages of a site to supplement or update the textbook information.

Teacher learning. One thing I’ve enjoyed over the years is using SciLinks to keep current on topics such as the human genome and climate change. I especially love the earth science topics (I taught life and physical science, so I’m continuing to learn). If you’re unfamiliar with a topic, searching for sites geared to middle or high school students would be a quick and painless way to learn more about it.
Published: Aug-14-09 | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

Jun14

Another Online Resource

In an earlier blog, I spotlighted the Teachers' Domain website, with its collection of lesson plans and multimedia resources. The more I see of this, the better I appreciate it!

As I was searching for additional resources for SciLinks, I found another site that is a treasure of resources in science (and mathematics). Visionlearning is a collection of materials, organized into a library of science topics. Each topic has a "module" which includes text, graphics, and animations. Most topics have a quiz and an annotated list of links to related resources. The modules are peer-reviewed for accuracy. There is also a glossary that is cross-referenced to the modules.

There is an option for teachers to create "Learning Areas" to customize materials for their students. You can post assignments, notes, comments, and a list of modules for the students. Registration is required, but it is free. (The site was funded through the NSF).

The modules are heavy on text, but they present the concepts in a readable style, appropriate for students who are reading at a high school level (or for teachers who are interested in background information). The pages can be printed, a nice feature if you want to use them in class. There is a link to access just the animations that are in the modules. And another great feature - the entire site is available in Spanish.

Several of the modules are in SciLinks, but the entire site is worth a look.
Published: Jun-14-09 | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post

May31

Science Fairs

Comix
The June/July issue of Learning and Leading with Technology has a description of the website Science Buddies, a comprehensive resource for science fair participants of all ages. Getting started with a topic was the hardest part for my students, and this site has a “topic selection wizard” that guides students through the process of selecting and fine-tuning a topic. It has sections that can help students with planning a project and teachers with planning a science fair (including rubrics for evaluating projects).

This site is already in SciLinks, along with many other resources for planning a science fair and helping students with their projects. (My favorite resources are those that have suggestions for alternative science fairs, including online science fairs and those that include presentations.)

The cartoon here was created with another online (and free) tool that was spotlighted in Learning and Leading with Technology. MakeBeliefsComix allows users to create simple comic strips by manipulating characters and word balloons. Text can be added in many languages, and there are suggestions for how this can be a tool for learning and literacy skills. The strips can be printed or saved with screen shot or grab tool.
Published: May-31-09 | 0 Comments | 0 Links to this post