Smarter Science

Smarter Science

ways to use interactive whiteboards in your science class

Objectives

• Why use interactive whiteboards?• Take a look at a variety of science

simulations. • Demonstrate how software

interacts with whiteboardsIn order to….• help kids tackle science concepts

interactively

Why Use Interactive WhiteBoards in Science?

Enhance instruction and engage learners on many levels. Teaching for the Millenium

– The teacher at the front of the class and the whole class engaged together...

– It gives the teacher instant access to a vast array of electronic resources...

– It enables seamless links to be made between the technology and the subject material...

– Teachers are rethinking their approach to teaching... – The flexibility and the scope for imaginative lesson planning

is huge... – Pages can automatically be saved and can be printed,

emailed or even pasted into a website... – The flipchart files can be updated or merged with other

Windows applications...

Have a direct effect on classroom practices. http://www.manzana.co.nz/resources/publications/dianne_gilroy/3_Case_Study.htm

EFFECTS ON TEACHINGRenewed enthusiasm Work able to be saved for future use and reference Pre-made templates - saves prep time Group work able to be seen from other areas of the classroom Large enough for whole class learning experiences All work / notes able to be saved Before and after examples able to be viewed and amended Wider range of resources available Teaching becomes more creative

EFFECTS ON LEARNINGStudents highly motivated Increased attention span Students choosing to doAssist visual learners colors for memory assistance and recall Kinesthetic learners touching– increase in understanding of content Shy / reluctant students more willing to “have a go” Low achievers willing to take risks and attempt answers Before and after examples able to be viewed and amended Tasks become fun – editing work Learning becomes more creative

Ways to Use• Manipulating text and images;• Taking notes in digital ink;• Saving notes for review; • Viewing web sites as a group;• Demonstrating or using software at the front of

a room vs. behind a computer;• Creating digital lesson activities with templates

and images;• Showing and writing notes over educational

video clips;Using presentation tools built into the interactive whiteboard software to enhance learning materials; and

• Showcasing student presentations.

Brainstorm

Ideas for Whiteboards

in Science• Categorize (i.e., landforms, creatures) • Compare characteristics and properties (i.e.,

rocks/minerals, plant/animal cells, vertebrates/invertebrates)

• Conduct a dissection (i.e., frog, owl pellet) • Explore science visuals and processes (i.e., cell parts,

electrical circuit, life cycle, mitosis, water cycle) • Explore solar system • Go on virtual field trips • Label parts of plants and animals (i.e., skeletons) • Records scientific data (i.e., atmospheric pressure,

wind, temperature, humidity, clouds). • Write questions for an online expert • Trace plagues, spread of fires, and other movement.

Ideas for Whiteboards

Where do we find ‘em?

• University of Colorado Physics Education Technology (PhET) project– http://www.colorado.edu/physics/phet/web-pages/simulat

ions-base.html– http://phetdb.colorado.edu/contrib_list.php

• My Physics Lab– http://www.myphysicslab.com/

• Molecularium– http://www.molecularium.rpi.edu/kidsite.html

• WhyFiles Interactives– http://whyfiles.org/interactives/

• Science Resources for Elementary Classrooms– http://www.internet4classrooms.com/science_elem.htm

Using Interactive Websites & Simulations

• Science Links from MCIU – http://www.mciu.org/mciu23/cwp/outside_pages/int

erface/showlinks.asp?cat=Science&pg=1• Wicked Science Stuff

– http://www.tki.org.nz/r/wick_ed/index.php

• Al's Tutorials– http://

www.zoology.ubc.ca/~biomania/tutorial/tutoutln.htm

Using Notebook Software

• There are tons of great sites where you can find notebook lessons for download

– http://technology.usd259.org/resources/whiteboards/smartlessons.htm#ScienceAndHealth

– http://www.center.k12.mo.us/edtech/SB/templates.htm

– http://www.lgfl.net/lgfl/leas/greenwich/accounts/subjects/ictteam/Resources/Courses/Whiteboards/Science/?verb=list

– http://www.kenton.k12.ky.us/SmartBoard/smartscience.htm

Other Resources• Engaging Learners the SMARTboard Way

http://www.eduscapes.com/sessions/smartboard/• Smart Technologies "Science and Technology"

templates - free to downloadhttp://education.smarttech.com/ste/en-US/Ed+Resource/Software+Resources/Notebook+collections/Science+and+Technology/?sort=

• Smart Technologies Tutorials - How to use the Gallery and more...http://www.smarttech.com/trainingcenter/tutorials.asp#

• The SMARTBoard Lessons Podcast - a weekly show highlighting how educators are using their SMARTboard.http://pdtogo.com/smart/

Using Software

• Timeliner

• Inspiration / Kidspiration

• Tom Snyder: Science Court

There are a variety of software that interface with whiteboards to address content.