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Using Technology in the Science Classroom

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Guadalupe Barron Guadalupe Barron 1580 Points

Hi everyone,
As I finish up my senior year of college, I would like to build a toolbox of engaging and effective digital tools that will enhance my future students' science education. I believe that with the integration of technology, I can promote inquiry-based learning and help students to think and work like a scientist. Furthermore, I am curious about the digital tools that current teachers have been using are they shifted from in-person to remote learning. With that said, what are some useful tools you have utilized? How has technology supported your students?

 

Thank you in advance! 
Katie Holcomb Katie Holcomb 30 Points

Hi Guadalupe!

I am also in my senior year of college. I have been in Life Science and Human Anatomy and Physiology placements so far. In both placements and preservice teaching courses, I have seen technology used in different ways to support inquiry-based learning. I really like to use PhET simulations when possible. I also have been introduced to PASCO technology. I have not implemented PASCO technology into any of my placements yet, but I have spent time exploring their capabilities within my preservice courses. I believe that these have great potential to support good science learning. 

As far as remote learning goes, I have utilized many technological tools to deliver instruction. I like to use PearDeck for interactive lectures on live-teaching days. I typically use EdPuzzle, Quizizz, and Google Forms for prior knowledge assessments. Other tools I use for instruction and/or assessment include Padlet, Google Jamboard, and FlipGrid. These have helped me to engage students remotely and saves them from having to just watch me on a screen. It provides more opportunities for student-centered teaching.
Jonathan Fisher Jonathan Fisher 60 Points

Hi! So I teach at both ends of the spectrum, informal science education for K-12 and graduate school. My colleagues and I have the same issues even at the graduate education level! We created a free utility that might be of use / interest. It's a web app (snorkle.io) that creates interactive, sharable visualizations that you can share by link or QR code. For example, you can make things like these super easily, and people can interact on their phones:

COVID structure (grabs from Sketchfab): https://sketchfab.com/models/9ff6f4332a6644168d6b860c47782740/embed?autostart=1&camera=0

Molecular structure of the spike protein: https://snorkle-output-files.s3.amazonaws.com/PDBmol7DZW.html

Anyhow, we have tutorials on how to use it to insert interactive visuals into powerpoint and also for making interactive posters. These tutorials are aimed at a more technical / graduate level, but trust me, all students like 3D learning! (and I'm HAPPY to help you figure out how to do whatever you might envision)

Using in powerpoint: https://youtu.be/Xgv0iUhBCLY

For posters: https://youtu.be/bxJg90kcpS0

 

 
Mylo Fisherman Mylo Fisherman 230 Points

Hello! I am currently finishing up my Junior year of college. One thing my observing teacher used was Google Arts & Culture (https://artsandculture.google.com/) This resource has online museums and interactive graphics that allow students to explore a whole bunch of phenomena in a fun and interesting way. Additionally, another one of my observing teachers used Pear Deck (https://www.peardeck.com/googleslides) Which allowed for students to interact with slides we create. It's a Google Slides add-on. This allowed for students to draw on the slides, answer questions, and make inferences. Hope this helps!
Melissa Portillo Melissa Portillo 1245 Points

Hi Guadalupe,

I found an online program, called Inqits, that goes along with the NGSS standards. (https://www.inqits.com/) The program includes different online labs that helps students learn from as well as different assessment tools. There are a lot of online websites that can be utilized in the classroom. This link (https://www.commonsense.org/education/top-picks/terrific-websites-for-science) has about 48 different online programs and webistes that can be implemented in a science classroom. I hope that the links help you. They are alined with the NGSS. 
Guadalupe Barron Guadalupe Barron 1580 Points

Thank you, Melissa!

These are great resources. I will definitely be using them to help me create future lessons. It is so helpful that they are aligned with the NGSS. 
Tim Schwickerath Tim Schwickerath 415 Points

Gaudalupe,  I just want to throw Desmos out to you.  Now my background is teaching math so I utilize Desmos often.  Desmos offers an easy to use graphing calculator, but the activities that are built using the platform really make it shine.  There are pre-built activities and teachers can create their own using the activity builder.  Students can work through a series of interactive slides, respond to questions, manipulate graphs, perform card sorts, make sketches, etc.  I also did a quick search and there found a collection of science-related activities as well.  If there is an activity you like and what to change it, you can copy individual slides or the complete activity to modify.  I like to use the platform to let students discover and explore a topic without first doing direct instruction.  Plus, it is all free.  
Wang Xiao Wang Xiao 10 Points

Online whiteboard and physical tablet with stylus, it is the way.

And a whiteboard website like awwapp where students can pull up your whiteboard and interact with it if you let them. Simplifies things bc you don't have to share screens with them, and if you have students in class and virtual at the same time, you just draw on your screen at school and it shows up everywhere without screen sharing.


I got a xp-pen drawing pad . I think and I love it. Way better than a mouse, since I can write on the PowerPoint, OneNote, awwapp Whiteboard .
ALISKA BROWN ALISKA BROWN 1045 Points

Hello, I'm glad that the question was asked. I'm getting ready co-teacher this school year in 2nd grade. I was very concerned about what resources I could bring to the table. This post allows me to integrate new resources into our STEM class. It has also allowed me to test which resources I use for my grade level. I have attached a few NSTA resourses.
Madyson Harris Madyson Harris 355 Points

Hello Guadelupe, 

Thank you for posting this question. I am beginning my first full year of teaching and I will be co-teaching.  I have been looking for ways to better incorperate technology in the classroom. One thing that I did not see so far was the use of Blooket. This is an interactive software where as the teacher you are able to cutomize the questions. Students will be able to answer the questions and play a game at the same time. 
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