Posted by David Wetzel
Interactive whiteboards (IWB) allow science and math teachers to teach multi-sensory lessons, seamlessly jumping from one type of media to another. Interactive science or math lessons can easily integrate text, sound, video, and graphics based on the tactile nature of the IWB.
IWB Strategies
The following are six tips and tricks for interactive white board implementation in science and math.
1. Brainstorming – the advantage of using an IWB for brainstorming sessions or discovering prior knowledge and experiences (PKE) students have regarding specific science concepts. This strategy permits students to focus on brainstorming sessions instead of concentrating on recording information in notes.
One example - information written on the IWB about how algebra is used in everyday lives is saved. Files containing brainstorming sessions are uploaded to a class Wiki or Blog for student use during review sessions.
2. Interactive Lessons – math and science teachers can simultaneously access a number of real-time data and supporting websites for display on the IWB. This strategy supports groups working in web-based learning centers during data collection or problem solving activities.
One example – during a meteorology lesson on interpreting weather maps, students’ access real-time data from cities around the country or world to make weather predictions. Next students check their predictions using web cam images from selected areas to determine if they are correct.
3. Problem-Based Learning in Science and Math – students complete a problem-based learning activity and save their work in their section of the class Wiki or in Google Docs for presentation to the class.
One example – forensic science activity where students’ play detectives attempting to solve a crime. Fingerprints of suspects are displayed on the IWB and a fingerprint from the crime scene is made 50 percent transparent for overlay suspect finger prints. Students determine which suspect’s fingerprint matches the fingerprint collected from the crime scene.
4. Observing Animal Behavior – using web cams are used to observe animal behavior in the wild. The behaviors can be recorded and played back for annotation and editing as part of class or group projects in comparing behaviors of several animals.
One example – observing the real-time behavior of eaglets in their nests as they compete and interact with each other. Students then compare web-cam observations of birds at the National Zoo in Washington, DC.
5. Mind Mapping – similar to brainstorming, science or math teachers can lead their students through a class discussion on a specific science concept and develop a mind map of information on an IWB. The mind map can then be saved for uploading to the class Wiki.
One example – students create a class mind map about geometric shapes and at the end of class for students to record the mind map in their notebooks is not required.
6. Discussing Science and Math Issues – interactive websites, real-time data websites, and other web-based resources can be used as a class for comparing and contrasting differing points of view regarding a scientific concept.
One example – focusing a discussion on what is causing bees to disappear in this country and their impact on the environment. Students research online resources to support their points of view and share these sources in when comparing and contrasting the issue.
These six tips and tricks for using interactive white boards and other IWB techniques provide the catalyst for engaging students in web-based research and study, as they use real-time data sources or online resources for carrying out science or math investigations.
Posted by David Wetzel
Often we search for meaningful ways to integrate digital technology in project based learning activities given to our students. We also would like our students to develop a thorough understanding of the concepts underlying the work – after all this is the purpose of the project.
Giving students the opportunity to complete and present their project through a digital lens has one great advantage – student engagement. This in turn causes students to develop a more in depth understanding of concepts.
Digital Storytelling: Strategies and Techniques
Digital stories typically contain a mixture of digital images, text, recorded audio narration, video clips and/or music. These stories can vary in length; however, optimum length is between four and eight minutes.
For student success with digital storytelling and communicating the findings of their project based learning activity, they often need specific guidelines. This ensures the project’s goals and objectives do not become lost in digital process. For example:
Watershed Project Guidelines (MS/HS)
Research and gather data relating to our local watershed using the following methods:
- Interview local residents.
- Visit local and regional historical societies to review primary historical records.
- Interview local or regional natural resource agency representatives.
- Collect water sample and compare water quality data with historical data.
- Take digital images and/or digital movies of local watershed features.
- Always be safe. Contrary to what you may see on TV, no cool or humorous shot is worth getting injured.
Using the data collected from interviews, historical records, and water quality data:
- Create a script of human’s impact on the watershed over the past 100 years, which will be used to narrate the digital story.
- Use your images and/or videos to support research findings.
- If you use someone else’s photos or images to supplement your project, an attribution slide must be included at the end of your project. Other people’s photos must be copyright free or public domain images.
- Select and obtain copyright free music if needed (ensure music does not distract or overwhelm presentation of findings) and an attribution slide must be included at the end of your project.
- Be sure to answer your research question in your presentation.
- Ensure all statements of findings and conclusions are supported by data and scientific facts.
- Presentation must have at least 10 images or video clips.
- Presentation must be between 5 and 6 minutes long.
- Project presentation must use (see next section).
Tools for Digital Storytelling Presentation
There are numerous Web 2.0 and computer tools available for project based learning activities. These tools create loads of opportunities for students to develop original project presentations through a digital lens.
The following are example digital tools students can use to tell their project’s story.
- Podcasting – a podcast can be uploaded to a class wiki or blog and viewed using an iPod, MP3 player or computer. A podcast can be projected on an interactive white board for presentation.
- Glogster – students can create an interactive poster to tell the story of their project based learning activity.
- PowerPoint or Keynote – which can be converted into a SlideShare and uploaded to class wiki or blog for sharing with other classes and schools.
- Prezi – allows the integration of videos and images for a presentation. It also offers the ability to zoom in or out and move around a presentation to slide to focus on key points.
- Voice Thread – this Web 2.0 tool not only supports a group’s presentation, it also allows others record comments about their project.
Linking project based learning with digital storytelling is natural. The integration of digital technology motivates students, allows them to easily share their work, and encourages collaborative learning. This in turn helps them develop a more in depth understanding of science and math concepts through a digital lens.
Posted by David Wetzel
Are you searching for a way to share documents, presentations, slideshows, or a series of photos or images with your students?
Then Voice Thread is the free Web 2.0 tool for you and your students (teachers can register for a free education account).
Voice Thread allows you and your students to add audio, video, and text as part of conversations concerning science or math content.
Comments can be added using a pre-recorded audio file, microphone, call from a phone, or webcam and microphone.
A Voice Thread allows group conversations to be collected and shared in one place, from anywhere in the world. This is great when your class is collaborating on a project with students in another time zone or other locations around the world.
Strategies for Both Science and Math
The following are examples which work well in either math or science
1. Students create a presentation about a concept and then embed their presentation in a Glogster poster.
2. Students use Voice Threads created by both teacher and other students which are embedded in a class Wiki or Blog for use to review concepts or examples:
- prior to a test or exam.
- work missed after being absent.
3. Students create a recording of a debate using one slide for pro and another for a con position.
4. Students watch a video related to a concept and add their comments, ideas, or suggestions related to the video.
5. Students use Voice Thread to create digital stories to explain ideas.
6. Students integrate documents created – presentations, word documents, spreadsheets, polls – in Google Docs within their Voice Thread presentations.
7. Back to School Night – take photos of your classroom and students working, then post on your Wiki or Blog for parents who are unable to attend.
Math Teaching Strategies
Students show multiple strategies for solving a problem. This strategy promotes student ownership, while using the language of mathematics.
For example – using a digital image of data within a table, several or all students record a different strategies or make comments about how they solved the problem using data analysis.
Have students explain a new math concept using images to support their explanation.
For example – students create a collection of geometric digital images. Then compare and contrast the images by adding their comments.
Additional math ideas:
1. How to write and solve linear equations.
2. Provide examples and explanations of various forms of display for data sets, including a stem-and-leaf plot or box-and-whisker plot; use the forms to display a single set of data or to compare with sets of data.
3. Provides examples and explanations for percents as a part of a hundred; find decimal and percent equivalents for common fractions and explain why they represent the same value; compute a given percent of a whole number.
Science Teaching Strategies
Students are studying arthropods which have an exoskeleton, a three-part body (head, thorax, and abdomen), three pairs of jointed legs, compound eyes, and two antennae. They create a digital Voice Thread of examples of these insects with explanations.
For example – Digital Insect Collection
Students create a Voice Thread presentation to communicate their findings in a science project. This strategy ensures each student within a group participates, because every student must contribute to part of the presentation using their own voice for facts and comments.
For example – Road Kill Project
Additional science ideas:
1. Provide examples of reflection and refraction along with explanations.
2. Provide examples of each type of biome found around the world.
3. Debate the issue of global warming using facts and data presented in a Voice Thread.
Using Voice Thread creates an interactive classroom which can be used in almost any science and math grade level. Teachers can use this Web 2.0 tool for digital storytelling of concepts by students, causing critical thinking, student project presentations, and even a tool for assessment.
