Application 2- Effective Use of 21st Century Learning Tools

I chatted with people who shared ideas, expressions and experiences with me. I was also able to use the abundant resources available to me at my school and resoruces from the Professional Learning Center.
I have been able to save time by guiding students’ searches by providing boundaries and specific websites and internet sites that will aid them in their search for designated information. We have drawn up and discussed guidelines for usages, particularly for chatting with peers. Although the Internet is a great resource, time has to be spent reflecting, evaluating and selecting the best internet sources for students.
Time is spent collaborating in the Science class on projects and the 21st Century learning tools will be used. It is expected that these tools will make Science Education curriculum more relevant, expand coverage of the whole area of the Science Curriculum, improve Reading, Writing and Communication skills, free the teacher to have more time to teach skills and monitor progress.
The ideas that I have for implementing 21st Century learning tools are; including time in my plan to discuss, teach and, use the Learning Tools, scheduling practice time, analyzing and evaluating progress, re teaching, consulting with the Curriculum Coaches and calling in the In – School Technologist who is an expert.
Internet sites used were www.studyisland.com, www.kidzone.com, and www.middleschoolscience.com. These sites were easy accessible and kid friendly. The sites also provide real world insight to science.

The Heat is On

The information provided through the Learning Resources was very helpful in planning, organizing and deciding the methodology for the experiment. This experiment was designed to discover how heat is transferred through the varied material that can act as good heat insulators I discovered that insulators doesn’t transfer heat easily, they are considered best poor conductors: during experimentation process I selected aluminum foil, foam, cotton, bubble wrap and newspaper. In conclusion, out of the materials, aluminum foil is the insulator. I expected the newspaper to be the best insulator. The results of my experiment revealed that many household items can be used for insulators. I also discovered that the effectiveness of each of the wintered above listed items could depend on the degree of the heat transfer and conduction and convection. Reflecting on this experiment, I realized that insulated materials heat can be transferred in on{or in combination) of three ways conduction convection and radiation and good heat insulators are substances that are poor conductors of heat., but safety is a factor in conducting an experiment on heat transfer. Safety must be integral part of the plan when the decision is made to use different materials. Students have discovered how heat in transferred using different material that they had discovered in their everyday life. One example was the material in their coats and boats that they wore during the winter months. I also discussed observing adults when handling hot items in the kitchen. The challenges were basically, the selection of the material to be tested and proper use of safety procedures. Discovering in heat transfer by conduction, molecules exchange kinetic energy through the random collision with one another. It can happen in a solid, liquid or gas.

Reflection of a Guided Inquiry Experience

It is quite rewarding to look back over the past to review an experience, to gain insight and to note how the experience could have been handled differently. However, once the action is past one learns not only how to but also other ways that the experience could have been done along with short cuts.
The question I selected was how do surfaces affect the momentum of marbles? The instructional part was explained to the students along with the directions for carrying out the experiment. groups were formed, surfaces were selected and directions given and actions recorded.
The surfaces chosen: Carpeted florring, concrete sidewalk, and the ground. Experiments were carried out and timed. It appeared that student whose experiement was conducted on the concrete sidewalk had greater momentum than students whose experiements were conducted on carpet and the ground. A discussion ensued about the makeup of various surfaces and how the smoothness and roughness of the surfaces enhanced or facilitated momentum for playing with marbles.
An analysis of the observation tracks indicated that the concrete sidewalk showed the greatest momentum for marble playing.
The challenges that the class and I faced were deciding whether to use different size marbles on each surface or to use marbles of the same size on each surface. It was decided that marbles of the same size should be used on all surfaces used in the experiement in order for us to rule out the variable of differences as a possible cause of the results attained.
The experiment provided hands on experience for the students who were able to conceptualize the process and visualize the results while being guided by the teacher. The findings added to the antimated discussion that followed and stimulated some students to ask if they could replicate the experiment in order to see if their findings would differ.
We have not yet replicated the experiment. Moreover, we will continue reviewing this experiement while preparing for the next one.
In conclusion, the reflection revealed many concerns that I will use to conduct group work and illustrated and reinforced the fact that science is one of those areas that can be practical and fun.

References
www.bbc.co.uk./schools/ks2bitesize/science/physicalprocesses

Reflections

Reflections

Reports after report suggest that global warming is a very real phenomenon and that something has to be done about it before it becomes catastrophic. The research indicates that global warming is increasing at alarming rates. Scientists studying the topic state that human activities such as burning fossil fuel (like coal, oil and natural gas are causing are among some of the things that are causing the increase.)

The U.S. Naval academy of Sciences issued a joint statement along with other National Academics of Sciences saying “the scientific understanding of climate change is now sufficiently clear to justify nations taking prompt action. The White House supported this statement and encouraged all nations to contribute to substantial and long-term reduction in net global greenhouse gas emissions.”

The scientific community is united about global warming; the only remaining debate about global warming is about how much and how fast global warming will continue as a result of heat-trapping emissions.

Reflections over my readings about the impact of global warming lead me to agree that a continued spiraling of global warming would have a tremendous effect on plant and animal life not to mention the world economies that are having difficulties staying afloat now. Moreover, the fluctuations in the weather are preventing farmers from reaping sufficient harvest to provide food at reasonable prices to all people.

New report s, this year alone, shows extreme temperatures have caused flooding and heavy losses to the food and other industries. While disaster aid will certainly help the flood torn areas, it will also reduce the amount of money available to aid or expand other industries. Meanwhile, some farmers and other hard hit industries will decide to go out of business thus increasing the import/export dilemma.

The problems resulting from global warming would be felt in other areas such as flooding of coastal areas leading to wide spread evacuations and submerging low lying areas. Thus deaths, diseases and other unforeseen problems will need very real and immediate solutions.
To avoid global warming, a variety of strategies of being encouraged by world leaders to encourage the reduction of CO2 emission, which is said to be the main cause of anthropogenic warming. Long term strategies centered on alternative ways to avoid fossil fuels which are regarded as rampant polluters.

I am concluding, based on my research, that some features of the world as we know it will become extinct due to global warming; however, I believe in the adaptation of the species and that the plant, animal and human species will continue.

I am not sure how this works but I wanted to welcome my group to my site. I am still learning about this so please be patient.