Anyone have some good workshop notes on "Great Applications of ICT for Science"?

Whoops, sorry just saw that I should have put this in the science group but I don't know how. Trials of a newbie!

Hi All,

Being an expat teacher and a former Head of ICT now working as an EdTech consultant in Hong Kong, I have been doing a series of workshops on the use of ICT for English Teaching in Local Hong Kong Primary/Secondary schools. Web 2.0 tools. Pedagogically sound use of IWBs, projectors, Visualizers etc. One of the training officers from the HKSAR government read my CV too closely and saw that I had around 18 years of experience teaching Science and, specifically Physics in what now seems a former life. He has asked me if I can run some workshops for local HK teachers on appropriate ICT applications in Science. Good idea in theory but I have to admit to not having taught in this field for some years. Back then I was putting all of my notes on Powerpoint and uploading to the intranet, using Vernier dataloggers to record and map data in real time for experiments, using simulation, especially with Interactive Physics.
Given that was some time ago, there must be some new applications, especially in the web2.0 world, that are making a big hit with science teachers. I am sure that GPS is making a huge impact in the teaching of Vectors and even motion in general.
Anyone want to give me some ideas or point me to some references I can use for my workshop proposal.
Thanks!
Paul

Tags: Hong, Kong, physics, science, workshop

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Permalink Reply by Lisa Nielsen on May 9, 2008 at 10:21am

We offer some classes on integrating tech into science geared toward middle school that you may want to check out for resources and ideas. Also, I know there's a lot going on with science in Second Life. In particular I know NASA has a big presence there. I'm sure others do too. In the classes we offer they point teachers toward using a variety of technologies -- including Google Earth, Weather Bonk, Excel, PowerPoint, PageKeeper, WebQuests, United Streaming and classroom blogs -- that can be used to enhance in-class instruction and the Exit Project process.

There are two Grade 6 Science classes. One focuses on the use of Google Apps, such as Google Earth and Google Collaborative Docs, to support a “Severe Weather” unit of study. The other focuses on the use of probes to support a water quality investigation as part of a unit on ecosystems.The Grade 7 Science class explores technology tools that can be used enhance a unit on human body systems. The Grade 8 Science class is designed to help teachers use technology to support the management, research and presentation of science exit projects.

Maybe some of this will be of help or lead you down some other interesting paths. All the class content resides at our website.

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Permalink Reply by Danny Nicholson on May 9, 2008 at 1:15pm

Some of the things I recommend to my science teachers:

Sunflower learning is very good for simulations

http://www.sunflowerlearning.com/index.htm

As is newbyte

http://www.newbyte.com/

Crocodile Physics and Chemistry

http://www.crocodile-clips.com/

and check out Yenka their free animations site:

http://www.yenka.com/freecontent/search.action?r=new

Focus educational do some nice, low cost software simulations

http://www.focuseducational.com/html/category.php/cid/1

and furry elephant

http://www.furryelephant.com/

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Permalink Reply by Paul McMahon on May 9, 2008 at 6:13pm

This is really expanding. Thanks for this Danny Lisa and Leigh!
As soon as I get some time I will check through the links and put something together and post back to the group.
Regards
Paul

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Permalink Reply by Paul McMahon on June 4, 2008 at 2:04am

Well, the authority that asked me to do the workshops were not forthcoming with a lot of clear guidelines for what they wanted me to do with regard to the subject area focus, level and ability level of the teachers so I have done little more at this stage.

Instead of having all of these good links go to waste, I combined them into a post about using an EWB for science lessons. Feel free to head on over to my blog here and check out the post.

All comments most welcome.

Thanks

Paul