For this blog I decided to keep my focus on free ways to bring science into the classroom through technology. While doing research I found a lot of interactive websites for children and resources for teachers to connect to current events through technology.
The first website I found allowed for free podcasts that connected students to current events in science. Some of the current events that you could listen to through audio were Life in the Deep and Green Chemistry. The website was well organized and had grade levels next to each audio which helps teacher narrow down their choices. Doing a podcast in the classroom is an exciting way to keep students up to date on current events through a different educator than the one in the classroom. Another fun way to bring science into your classroom for free is through a blog like this. This activity would have to be for older children who can read and type well, but it allows for the children to be responsible for their own learning in a fun way.
The last set of websites I found were aimed more for children. The first one called FT Exploring science and technology focuses on exploring energy, photosynthesis, energy and life. This website is very kid friendly and easy to navigate. It would be great to use if the children want to find out something new or do their own research. The second interactive website was called kitchen chemistry and is put out by PBS. The children can choose either the virtual or reality kitchen. The virtual kitchen provides a kitchen with online experiments and puzzles to solve to get rewards, and the reality kitchen allows you to use things from your own kitchen and submit ideas to get a reward. Not only could the children use this at home, but the teacher could bring things from his/her own kitchen and they could work together to complete the tasks being asked.
Technology offers a variety of ways for students, parents and teachers to learn about science and bring it into the classroom. From podcasts, blogs and interactive websites children can enjoy what they are learning through new and exciting ways. Before anything is viewed by the children the teacher should always make sure the information is valid and appropriate for the students.
Resources:
http://www.classroom20.com/profiles/blogs/bring-pris-the-world-into-your
http://www.ftexploring.com/
Thanks for the podcast resource, Jen. When I went to the site I found a podcast that linked to my own research. See my blog titled "Varieties in Approaches to learning" (link below) for more info. I'm liking the blog post research sharing because we're actually able to share our ideas rather then share them with the teacher and never one another.
ReplyDeleteLink to the blog I mention above:
http://uwo2.blogspot.com/2010/10/varieties-in-approaches-to-learning.html
This is a great idea! I never would have though to do something like this in my classroom involving science.
ReplyDeleteJen...
ReplyDeleteI like your topic! I am doing research in a somewhat similar fashion (Technology in the classroom). You are doing a great job at finding the "FREE" tools teachers can utilize. As we all know, many schools and school districts are strapped for cash so anything free will peak our interests! My last blog post dealt with software technology in the classroom and the three I reviewed were free! You may want to take a look.
Thanks for the great web links! The kitchen chemistry website sounds like it would be a very interactive resource for students to learn about science. I also think that its important to keep students knowledgeable about current events happening in science and I feel that the podcast would be a great resource for accomplishing this goal.
ReplyDelete