Week 6: We are in the lab !

This week is quite interesting because it is more on the application of Micro-computer based laboratory (MBL).


My group chose to use the data logger in this lab. A data logger (also datalogger or data recorder) is an electronic device that records data over time or in relation to location either with a built in instrument or sensor or via external instruments and sensors. They generally are small, battery powered, portable, and equipped with a microprocessor, internal memory for data storage, and sensors. Some data loggers interface with a personal computer and utilize software to activate the data logger and view and analyze the collected data, while others have a local interface device (keypad, LCD) and can be used as a stand-alone device.





We used this data logger for measuring temperature, which is one of its applications. We used data logger to measure the body and room temperature. This has been a new technology for us because we used to measure temperature using thermometer. What makes this tool more sophisticated is that it is able to convert the temperature recorded into table. From there, it provides the information about the temperature of different mediums.


In terms of application in classroom, I think that teacher can use it for teaching primary school students. This takes into consideration of the procedures involved in using this tool. For example, students just need to use the temperature probe to measure the temperature and the software will help them to record the data (temperature readings).


Advantages of using this application:

1- This data logger is easy to handle and it is not dangerous for students when using it. They just need to use the probe to measure the temperature.

2- Data logger provides accurate measurement. This will be easier for students as they do not need to manually calculate the information gathered. This data logger helps them to get the readings and it is able to convert the readings into table form


Disadvantages of this data logger:

1- This kind of tool is used by connecting it to the computers. Therefore, it would be a disadvantage if there is a limited computer facility. It would also be a problem if there are not enough probes to be used by students.

2- Considering the application in classroom, I think it is not applicable if the students are assigned to use this tool in groups. This is because some students might refuse to participate when they are in groups.


In conclusion, this data logger is suitable for to be used in teaching primary school students. In my opinion, by considering the problems which might be faced by students, teachers would be able to overcome those problems and use this application to enhance students learning in science subject.

Week 5: Strategies in Designing Application Tools

For this week lecture, we were introduced to 7 strategies in designing application tools for teaching and learning science.


The 7 strategies are:
1- MBL- Micro-Computer Based Laboratory
2- Drill and practice
3- Tutorials
4- Simulation
5- Problem-solving
6- Info-retrieval
7- Educational games



Among these 7 strategies, there are a few of them are mostly applied for teaching science at primary school level. Those strategies are drill and practice, simulation, and educational games.


:: DRILL AND PRACTICE ::

Drill and practice promotes the acquisition of knowledge or skill through repetitive practice. Drills are usually repetitive and are used as a reinforcement tool. In learning science, students have to deal with a lot of science concepts and some might be struggling to memorize it. Therefore, drills play a very important role so that students would not make mistakes and avoid from misinterpreting the science concepts. Indirectly, it acts as a reinforcement tool for students’ learning. Practice is like a stage whereby students make exercises in order to test their level of understanding about the topics taught. Besides that, drill and practice can provide a strong basis for students in primary level. This strong basis is fundamental as they will move to secondary school whereby they have to be more independent in learning.


:: EDUCATIONAL GAMES ::

Games are suitable to be applied as reinforcement tools for students in learning science. This also helps to motivate children in learning science as they would find that learning science is fun and not frustrating or confusing. Indirectly, it would engage students in learning the topics taught in classroom. Games have the potential in developing students’ thinking skills. We could say that students are playing the games and some might say that it is just for fun. However, we must realize that children learn through playing. While their conscious minds are focusing on the games, their subconscious minds are also working by grasping the intended input contained in the games.




:: SIMULATION ::

Simulation is also important in enhancing students’ learning in science subject. This is because simulation is useful for displaying things that students cannot see with their bare eyes and touch it using their hands. For examples, simulation could help students to understand the solar system and its constituents. It is impossible for teacher to “bring in” the solar system into the classroom. Therefore, simulation helps students to gain better understanding about the solar system.




All in all, teachers should try to use various strategies in order to enhance students’ learning in science subject. By taking into consideration about the students’ cognitive level and age, these kinds of strategies would be useful to help them understand better. This is important in order to ensure that each of the students is able to grab the input given by teachers.

Third Lecture (4th week): LEARNING THEORIES

:: Behaviourist vs Constructivist ::


What is the behaviourist (directed instructional) approach?

Behaviorist (directed instructional) approach is one approach whereby teacher plays a central role in classroom such as in explaining, modeling, http://www.blogger.com/and providing opportunities for practice with feedback. Direct instruction does not assume that students will develop insights on their own. Instead, direct instruction takes learners through the steps of learning systematically, helping them see both the purpose and the result of each step.


There are a few basic components of direct instruction which are:
1- Setting clear goals for students and making sure they understand these goals.
2- Presenting a sequence of well-organized assignments.
3- Giving students clear, concise explanations and illustrations of the subject matter.
4- Asking frequent questions to see if the students understand the work.
5- Giving students frequent opportunities to practice what they have learned.


Directed instructional approach is based on teacher-centered classroom whereby teacher is the knowledge disseminator and the students passively receive the knowledge from teacher. This teacher-centered classroom could create a learning environment which is very structured and students need to follow teacher’s instruction and steps in order to learn a subject. Although the role of students is as the passive knowledge receiver, it is useful when it comes to teaching them theoretical-based subject. By using this method, the intended learning outcomes could be achieved. Moreover, this method is useful for monitoring students learning progress and to ensure that the steps are systematically applied without overlooking at any teaching steps.


Besides that, there are also learning websites for science subject which are designed using this approach. The main reason for using this approach would be focusing on the learning outcomes and the intended input that should be grabbed by students in the learning websites. By using this approach, students who do not have the prior knowledge especially in science subject, would not have problems in constructing their knowledge. Therefore, creating learning websites based on this approach would somehow guide the students and increase their level of understanding in learning science.

Some examples of learning websites which apply this approach are:
1) http://www.sciencekids.co.nz/



2) 2) http://www.sciencetoymaker.org/




What is Constructivist Approach?


Constructivist approach is focusing on the students’ capacity to construct their own understanding based on the topics taught. In other words, they prefer to be active learners rather than being passive knowledge receiver. In this approach, students construct their own understanding based on their prior knowledge. This can be a student-centered learning environment which could enhance their learning.


This approach is also integrated in creating learning websites for teaching science. Below are some examples of learning websites which integrate this approach.

1) http://www.kidsastronomy.com/



2) 2) http://www.tryscience.org/



All in all, both approaches are useful and can be integrated in order to enhance students learning in science subject.

--->new knowledge<----

In this second lecture, we were introduced to a brief history of the use of technology. Now, I could see the development of technology from the day it was invented until now.

1468- Printing press was invented by Gutenberg
15th Century- Graphs, charts, and slate boards were introduced
20th Century- Application of technological devices and processes to education
(eg: motion pictures, photography, displays, television receivers)
Late 20th Century- Invention of radio, videotape recorders, and computers

We were also introduced to the computer system which consists of:
-hardware (eg: input devices, output devices,input/output & secondary storage, etc) -software (eg: operating systems software, application software or tool software, Content access software, etc)
This was very useful for use because we had the opportunity to know some of the components in the computers system which we are not familiar with.

Last but not least, we learned about Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality in science education. At first, I could not understand what these two terms are all about. However, we were assigned to search information about Artificial Intelligence and Virtual Reality and made a PowerPoint presentation. The presentation was really helpful to enhance my understanding about these two terms.

Introduction to "TECHNOLOGY"

The first lecture started on the second week with a brief introduction to this subject, “Integration of Technology in Primary Science Teaching". The lecture was mainly about knew the definition of "TECHNOLOGY", why technology is important especially when it comes to integrating it in primary science teaching and finally how technology is integrated in teaching science.


Technology is a broad concept whereby it refers to use and knowledge of tools and crafts, and how these tools and crafts affect our ability to control and adapt to the environment. In my opinion, this probably means that in teaching field, technology will help to enhance science teachers' ability to vary their science lessons. This is why the integration of technology is vital. This is also related to the definition of technology integration which means that it involves the use of technology resources such as computers, digital cameras, CD-ROMs, software applications, the Internet, and many more in daily classroom lessons.


Focusing on primary science teaching, there are many reasons why technology should be integrated. Technology has been shown to be effective for teaching young learners. Technology also enhances learners' motivation as it helps to gain attention from learners and most importantly engages learners in classroom lessons. There are also other importances of integrating technology in classroom teaching such as it links to information resources, helps learners in visualising problems and making decisions, tracking learners' progress, and it also links to learning tools.


There are many ways of integrating technology in classroom lessons. One good example would be the use of PowerPoint presentation throughout the lessons. Another example would be assigning the students to browse for any information related to a particular topic using internet. I think this would be the best way in order to integrate technology in daily teaching and at the same time, teaching students to use technology in their learning process.