Technology Reflection Assignment
Description/Experience
In the last seminar, the technology demonstrated was the iPad 2 and how it can be used in the classroom setting. It was difficult for me to take much away from this demonstration because the demonstrator only showed us applications that would be appropriate for students in elementary school. I’m in a middle school now and plan to teach high school. Fortunately I am very familiar with the iPads because my job requires it.
Application
One activity that could be done is by using the app called ‘Molecules.’ This app presents different chemical structures of molecules using ball and stick, space filling, and wire models. It provides an interactive image for students to study instead of having to use pictures in the book. Pictures of benzene are particularly difficult to understand because of its staggered double bonds that constantly move between carbons. This activity would be directed towards high school students. I would have them work on a worksheet that compared the sizes and shapes of different organic molecules such as benzene, hexane, octane, etc… The students would later be tested on the size and shape of the molecules.
The order of events would be fairly easy and smooth. The students would retrieve iPad 2’s from the cart to use in either a group or individually depending on numbers. The students would then work in groups to compare the different molecules and work on the sheet. The students would return the iPads when they were finished.
Reflection
Pedagogy-Content:
The students would have been previously taught about the molecules they were going to be looking at. I know first-hand how hard it can be to learn them. The background information that they would need is just a basic knowledge of carbon, hydrogen, and bonding.
Technology:
There are endless possibilities with an iPad because of the ever increasing number of apps available on the marketplace. Just search for anything that you would want to base a lesson on. It is very easy to find and there are a lot of free apps which makes it inexpensive after the initial iPad charge.
Technology-Pedagogy:
The technology would be used to give visual support to the students as I aid them with any questions that may arise. It would make it a lot quicker and easier to teach because I would not have to draw two-dimensional models for the students. The classroom management would be kept the same.
Technology-Content:
Using this technology makes it easier for the students to understand the concepts of bonding, especially with benzene which is particularly difficult to understand. By having a three-dimensional figure on the iPad, they will be able to rotate it and change the model type to see different aspects.
Technology-Pedagogy-Content:
The content would be taught through small groups and the iPads, with me walking around answering questions. The technology enhances the content by providing visual aids and it enhances the pedagogy by saving me time from drawing and giving me more time to help the students from group to group. I would choose a small group teaching strategy because I am using technology. Some students have trouble with it and small groups would allow them to help each other with the technology, as well as the content.
I highly agree on Ty's reflection on the technology seminar. I plan on teaching at a middle/high school level as well, and unfortunately, the ipad was only demonstrated to benefit a classroom at an elementary level.
ReplyDeleteAs for Ty's lesson using the Ipad, I think it is a fantastic idea. Images in textbooks dreadful to stare at and study from. Being able to see molecules and bonds in 3D not only makes it less boring for students to study, but they can get a better grasp of what it looks like - from all different angles. He acknowledged how the pedagogy would enhance from using Ipads in his lesson. He'd save time drawing diagrams and figures on the board himself, which actually takes a lot of time. I'm sure Ty is a fantastic artist, but the 3D ipad molecules are probably a little more in depth :) If I had the opportunity to learn and study like this in my high school science classes, I know for a fact the motivation level of students would be drastically higher