It was a pleasure to once again work with Leslie Johnstone and her Chem Methods Class to review and test some digital technology integration possibilities in a Secondary Chemistry Class. Leslie and I co-planned and facilitated a session that included a brief introductory Prezi, a Demo and some stations to allow student movement and choice.
Following our brief introduction in Prezi to the themes of technology integration we’d decided upon, Leslie provided a Titration Demonstration where we were able to view the titration curve calculated & displayed in real time. For more on titration, visit this section of LibreTexts, an open access Science Resource. I also recently found an interesting resource sharing how titration experiments could be set up using a BBC Micro:bit!
After some lively discussion, students had 15 minute opportunities to dip their toes into each theme at facilitated and self-directed stations.
Our station themes:
- Our station themes:
- Annotated Video: Being able to create their own video tutorials can aid students in retaining the understandings they’ve developed through experimentation and lab work.
- Camtasia is powerful proprietary software (UBC Students, staff and faculty can download it free of charge through ‘Canvas’
- You (or your students!) might use one of the available ‘whiteboard style’ apps such as ShowMe (a free mobile app for iOS and Android allowing multimodal student response) or AWW (a free browser based app/online digital whiteboard).
- Video and Simulations in Chemistry – as enhancements to the lab can afford the opportunity for students to try experiments that might be otherwise impossible or, perhaps, just inaccurate if done hands-on. Sims and video can also support varied learners including ELLs in pre-playing or re-playing hands-on experiments. In addition to PHET, open access sims, we worked with Annenberg Learner video and sims and ACS – the American Chem Society Virtual Chem and Sims. All highly recommended by Leslie.
- Collaborative Tools – enable co-creation by your students and support knowledge co-c0nstruction. Try out one of the techniques already explored in class:
- Emerging Technologies: Students explored how emerging technologies might increase learning through rich media experiences and ‘hands’-on access to otherwise inaccessible objects or media. We played with:
- Theodore Gray’s Elements – interact with the periodic tables on a handheld device (this one is a paid app but very powerful and worth chatting with your school librarian about!)
- Science 360 – an app and website that houses a large database of science videos and content
- MEL Science – AR/VR Chem Lessons that integrate with the merge cube
- I’ve recently been experimenting with ways students and teachers can create their own chemistry drawings for AR. For example, I’ve discovered that if you can create a 3D image (say, of the molecular structure of an element), you can then upload this to be viewed in AR or VR. I think it would add an exciting element for students to be able to virtually create their models in 3D and then view, share and interact with them. I’m still ‘playing’ with this but would love to hear from you if you’re interested!
- MolView is a free Open Source online molecular modeling tool that seems to have potential!
- Annotated Video: Being able to create their own video tutorials can aid students in retaining the understandings they’ve developed through experimentation and lab work.
A word on class groupings for stations: I would advise creating groupings in advance of class. The groupings might be homogeneous or heterogeneous and based on any number of factors including ability or interest depending on the objectives of the teacher and the needs of the students. Sometimes, randomized groupings can be used and have the added benefit of introducing students to opportunities to interact with many different members of the class. There are many online options. GroupMind, a lovely little App developed by Louai Rahal an Education PHD student & instructor I met a few years ago, is free and open for you to use with no sign up required. For more on groupings, this article by Beatrice A. Ward (1987) is worth a read.
As someone who doesn’t specialize in (or even have much background in) this particular area, it’s always a pleasure working with Chemists! If you’d like to explore anything related to teaching, learning and digital technology further, please be in touch or click the ‘Ask a Question’ link in this blog. Look for Eric in the foyer on Wednesdays or visit Janis or Yvonne in a drop in or workshop sometime this winter! Schedule here.
