Posted by David Wetzel
Most of today’s students either own or use iPods, iPod Touches, MP3 Players, and computers everyday. These digital tools provide a natural strategy to support student learning - Podcasts!
Integrating podcasts in science and math classes is a good way to support student learning, because it leverages the fact today’s students are digital citizens.
In a recent survey, Forbes.com found K-12 students spend more time during the week on the Internet and using digital tools (cell phones, computers, iPods, etc.) than watching TV. This is why today’s students are considered digital citizens.
Teaching: Strategies for Using Podcasts
The following are teaching strategies for podcasts in science or math.
- Audio and/or video reviews for tests - accomplished by providing a downloadable podcasts on the class web page or wiki.
- Audio recordings of science lectures in MS and HS - accomplished by teacher wearing wireless microphone during lectures. Then editing and converting the recording into a podcast for students to listen to later as a review.
- Video recording of math lectures and reviews in MS and HS - accomplished by teacher wearing wireless microphone and video taping lectures or saving interactive white board slides. Then editing and converting the video into a podcast for students to refer to later when completing homework assignments or as a review.
- Audio class newsletter - for parents to access on the class web page or wiki. This does two things - saves paper and keeps newsletters out lockers and trash cans. The newsletters have a greater chance of being read by parents.
- Audio/Video Sub Plans - entire or partial lessons are recorded for subs to use in class. This also does two things - it is just like your are there and it forces subs to follow your teaching plan. The reality is we all know when it comes to subs - “…it is like opening a box of chocolates, you never know what you will get!”
Learning: Ways Students Use Podcasts
The following are ways students use podcasts to support their learning science or math concepts.
- Student groups create a specific potion of a unit studied in class. These podcasts provide a downloadable review for students to use when studying for a unit test. The podcasts are posted on the class web page or wiki. Each podcast should be limited to 5 - 6 minutes to promote clear and concise summary of key concepts.
- Students create a podcast to supplement their research and findings during science or math project based learning activities.
- Students use a podcast to complete science or math case studies using information provided in a podcast to help them solve a problem.
- Students create a class newsletter related to concepts learned in class. Accomplishes two things - students must apply concepts to real world applications in newsletter stories and parents have better understanding of what their kids are learning science or math.
- Students create a virtual tour related to a science or math unit. For example - rainforests, landfills, geometry found on the playground, algebra applications in a skate park, etc.
- Students create mnemonic rap songs to help learn concepts. For example - ROYGBIV.
Benefits of Podcasts
So what are the benefits of podcasting (audio and/or video) in science and math classes?
- Reinforces concepts studied in class for both auditory and visual learners.
- Reinforces writing and reading skills as students prepare their own podcast scripts.
- Increasing parent communication, since parents have access to the class web page or wiki.
- Provides another teaching and learning strategy for helping students in being successful in science or math.
Why Use Podcasts?
It is time to take advantage of our students’ status as digital citizens. Students use iPods, iPod Touches, MP3 players, and computers everyday; use these digital tools to create podcasts to support teaching and learning.
Additional Resources
Tips and Tricks for Podcasting
Podcasting in Science and Math Class
Posted by David Wetzel
Wiki pages are always a work in progress. The wiki is like a dynamic online science classroom which continually grows and changes.
Applications for the use of Wikis in science classrooms is only limited by the creativeness of the teacher in support science teaching and student earning.
Teaching Strategies with Wikis
The following are examples of how teachers can use wikis in science classes:
- Simulations and Animations - these can be used by students during investigations or review. One example: pH Scale
- Interactive White Board - screen shots from class discussions on topic for students to review later.
- Podcasts - both audio and video podcasts for students to use for review or use during investigations. One example: Physical Science
- Wordles - post a teacher or student created Wordle of a specific chapter, unit, or investigation. One example: Nature of Science
- Resources - providing links to Delicious or Digg resources for students to read or use in science projects.
- Images - a set of Flickr images for use when teaching specific concepts, a picture is always worth a thousand words. One example: Marine Biology
- Projects - a copy of current science projects for students (and parents) to read and review, along with the project rubric. One example: Investigating Earthquakes
- Class Notes - post an overview of daily lessons for students who missed class and review. One example: Density Power Point (works well with Google Docs and VoiceThread)
- Lab Report - a copy of your standard lab investigation report.
- Science Fair - guidelines are provided for the school’s science fair. One example: Science Fair
- Science Safety Rules - include a copy of student safety contract, lab safety rules, and internet use contract (if required by school).
Learning Strategies with Wikis
Wikis promote learning network by creating a community of experts. The following are examples of students can use wikis in science class:
- Glossary of Scientific Terms - Example: students develop an interactive glossary for defining physical science terms throughout the entire school year.
- Taxonomy – a student developed identification, naming, and classification of living things during their life science or biology course. Example: students develop the taxonomy of specific plants using definitions and images.
- Investigations – student groups report on experimental designs and submit investigation reports to their teacher. Example: students collaborate in the investigation of the mystery, why honey bees are are disappearing.
- Visual Arts – students groups can collaborate in research to find web-based resources which describe scientific processes using works of art. Example: students upload images or animals, plants, or nature of science.
- Science Newsletter - students can create a class science newsletter for sharing with other science classes and parents.
Advantages of a Wiki
These are some of the advantages of a wiki:
- Wikis allow for open editing, whereas web pages are limited editing (specific program on specific computer).
- Multiple users can edit a wiki.
- Privacy levels allow control of users.
- Notifications and display of all changes allow monitoring of all edits.
- Uses simple text language instead of html as in web pages.
Many science teachers who used web pages to support their classes have switched to wikis, because of all these advantages.
Posted by David Wetzel
An algebra project focusing on a theme which interests students is more likely to engage them in the project, so lets take a look at sports. Many students participate in sports at some level, whether as part of a school team or a community team.
For the most part these same students do not understand the costs involved to host the sport. Also, they do not understand how much money is needed to ensure a profitable season so the sport can continue from year to year.
Sports Complex Project
This project is designed for using algebra as a basis for comparing expenses and income at a youth athletic complex to determine profitability.
Math students need to decide which fund raising activities will help their sports complex remain profitable.
The sports complex is not making enough money this year from concession stand sales to keep the complex open the last two months of this year’s sports season. The committee overseeing the sports complex project a $1,000.00 shortfall in funds to pay for lights, grass cutting, and maintenance.
Some members of the committee want to start a charging a $1.00 admission fee to everyone who enters the complex, this includes all fans and participants.
After much debate, the sports complex committee have decided to hold a carnival to avoid charging an admission fee. They also decided on the following two options for charging admission and ticket prices for the carnival.
- Option 1: $1.00 admission and $.25 per ticket.
- Option 2: no admission and $.50 per ticket.
Problem
Which of these two options will help raise enough money to avoid charging admission to everyone who uses the sports complex?
Facts needed to solve the problem:
- The sports complex committee has limited expenses to $600.00.
- An inflatable bungee run costs $250.00 to rent for rent for one day.
- A dunk tank costs $100.00 to rent for one day.
- A cotton candy machine costs $50.00 to rent for one day.
- An inflatable slide costs $100.00 to rent for one day.
Solving the Problem Complete the following to solve the problem. List at least 10 activities, including food booths, games, and rides. Other possibilities include food donations and activities which can be easily made such as a softball toss, soccer kick contest, baseball toss, basketball toss, or football toss.
Use Bubbl.us mapping software to create a organizational map to help solve the problem. Use the following as a guideline for solving the problem:
- For each option listed above, write equations to find the profit “y” of selling “x” tickets.
- What is the profit or loss for ticket sales based on attendance of 200 people, 300 people, and 400 people?
- Graph the equations.
- At what point, if any, will Option 1 and Option 2 be equal?
- Which option is the best for solving the problem and ensuring at least a $1,000.00 profit?
Alternative Solution
If Option 1 or Option 2 will not raise enough money to cover expenses and ensure enough profit to avoid an admission fee to the sports complex for everyone, what option to recommend to the sports complex committee to ensure the carnival raises enough money?
Survey
Create a survey using Google Docs Survey which which will be used to obtain a rough estimate of the number of people who will attend the carnival.
Presentation
Present your findings and recommendations to your classmates using one of the two following methods:
- Present your findings to you class using Google Docs Presentation.
- post your findings on the class Wiki for your class to view and parents can see. Ask for feedback and recommendations from all those who few your project findings on the class Wiki.
Project based learning in algebra allows students to transfer math knowledge to situations outside the classroom. Also the use of projects is often a motivational factor for students to learn algebra, as opposed to considering algebra as something they will never use in their lives.
Additional Readings on Project Based Learning in Math
Teaching Algebra: making Real World Connections
Solving Weaknesses in Math Using Project Based Learning
Pythagorean Theorem: Using Real World Applications
