Chris Sharron and Tony Garcia 1 Chapter 11: Technology In Science Instruction

Chris Sharron and Tony GarciaChris Sharron and Tony Garcia 11

Chapter 11: TechnologyChapter 11: TechnologyIn Science InstructionIn Science Instruction


ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN ISSUES AND PROBLEMS IN SCIENCE INSTRUCTIONSCIENCE INSTRUCTION

Accountability for Standards in Accountability for Standards in ScienceScience

The Narrowing Pipeline of Scientific The Narrowing Pipeline of Scientific TalentTalent

Increasing Need for Scientific Increasing Need for Scientific LiteracyLiteracy

Difficulties Teaching K-8 ScienceDifficulties Teaching K-8 Science New Emphasis on and Controversies New Emphasis on and Controversies

About Scientific Inquiry About Scientific Inquiry


Accountability for Standards in Accountability for Standards in ScienceScience

The The National Science Education Standards National Science Education Standards (NSES) (NSES) http://http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nseswww.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses//

• Released in 1995Released in 1995 They define the content that all students should know They define the content that all students should know

and be able to do and provide guidelines for and be able to do and provide guidelines for assessing student learning.assessing student learning.

They provide guidance for science teaching They provide guidance for science teaching strategies, professional development, and support to strategies, professional development, and support to deliver high-quality science education.deliver high-quality science education.

They describe policies to bring coordination, They describe policies to bring coordination, consistency, and coherence to science education consistency, and coherence to science education programs.programs.


The Narrowing Pipeline of Scientific The Narrowing Pipeline of Scientific TalentTalent The declining number The declining number

of students, especially of students, especially women and minorities women and minorities could have serious could have serious consequences for the consequences for the long-term economic long-term economic and national security and national security outlook of our outlook of our country.country.• The U.S. The U.S.

Department of Department of Labor predicts that Labor predicts that by 2012, more by 2012, more than 2 million than 2 million additional additional professional professional technology-related technology-related jobs will be created jobs will be created in U.S.in U.S.

13%

14%

11%

16%12%

7%

7%

20%

Humanities

Science andMath

SocialSciences

Business

Education

Engineering

Preprofessional

GeneralStudies

Enrollment PercentagesFor Various Majors

0

5

10

15

20

25

Non HispanicWhite

AfricanAmerican

AsianAmerican

Hispanic

z

Percentage of Science Majors By Race


Increasing Need for Scientific Increasing Need for Scientific LiteracyLiteracy

There is a need for all citizens to be There is a need for all citizens to be scientifically literate in order to make scientifically literate in order to make informed decisions that affect our informed decisions that affect our country’s future.country’s future.

0

100

200

300

400

500

600 InternationalAverage

Singapore

Hong Kong,China

Japan

United States

Israel

RussiaAverage science score of eighth grade students, by country: 2003


Difficulties Teaching K-8 ScienceDifficulties Teaching K-8 Science

Research has Research has shown that shown that elementary elementary education education candidates have candidates have lower math and lower math and verbal scores than verbal scores than other college other college graduates.graduates.

440

460

480

500

520

540

IntendedEducationMajors

GraduatingSeniors

Male

Female

Math Score on SAT Test


New Emphasis on and New Emphasis on and Controversies About Science Controversies About Science

InquiryInquiry The importance of The importance of

hands on physical hands on physical manipulation in manipulation in science instruction has science instruction has been hotly debated.been hotly debated.

Technology can play Technology can play an important role in an important role in improving classroom improving classroom practice in teaching practice in teaching scientific inquiry.scientific inquiry.


TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION TECHNOLOGY INTEGRATION STRATEGIES FOR SCIENCE STRATEGIES FOR SCIENCE

INSTRUCTIONINSTRUCTION Supporting Authentic Science Supporting Authentic Science

ExperiencesExperiences Supporting Scientific Inquiry SkillsSupporting Scientific Inquiry Skills Supporting Science Concept LearningSupporting Science Concept Learning Accessing Science Information and Accessing Science Information and

ToolsTools


Supporting Authentic Science Supporting Authentic Science ExperiencesExperiences

Authentic science occurs in the classroom Authentic science occurs in the classroom when students actively participate with a when students actively participate with a hands-on approachhands-on approach• Also called Also called Scientific InquiryScientific Inquiry - The process of - The process of

asking questions and then investigating possible asking questions and then investigating possible solutionssolutions

Steps include:Steps include:• HypothesizingHypothesizing• Collecting necessary dataCollecting necessary data• Analyzing dataAnalyzing data• Sharing results with peersSharing results with peers

• The GLOBE program is an example of authentic The GLOBE program is an example of authentic science that uses technologyscience that uses technology

Uses remote-sensing technology and observations to Uses remote-sensing technology and observations to help students learn about the environment help students learn about the environment


Supporting Authentic Science Supporting Authentic Science Experiences (continued)Experiences (continued)

Research has shown that students had more Research has shown that students had more positive attitudes toward science in classrooms positive attitudes toward science in classrooms when experiments were more challenging and when experiments were more challenging and less directed (Ornstein, 2006)less directed (Ornstein, 2006)• Attitude rates were especially high when students had Attitude rates were especially high when students had

more opportunities to formulate their own hypotheses more opportunities to formulate their own hypotheses and conclusionsand conclusions

*Images from Google Images


Supporting Scientific Inquiry SkillsSupporting Scientific Inquiry Skills Technology can be an effective tool Technology can be an effective tool

in teaching the scientific inquiry in teaching the scientific inquiry process. Some ways include:process. Some ways include:• Locating information to investigate Locating information to investigate

scientific issues and questionsscientific issues and questions Internet is a valuable resource for searching Internet is a valuable resource for searching

for answers to scientific questionsfor answers to scientific questions The National Science Foundation (NSF) has The National Science Foundation (NSF) has

created digital libraries for science, which created digital libraries for science, which can be helpful in investigating scientific can be helpful in investigating scientific questionsquestions

• Example: Digital Library for Earth Science Example: Digital Library for Earth Science Education (DLESE)Education (DLESE)


Supporting Scientific Inquiry Skills Supporting Scientific Inquiry Skills (continued)(continued)

Collecting dataCollecting data• Collecting and Collecting and archivingarchiving (or storing) data (or storing) data

both are important in scientific inquiryboth are important in scientific inquiry• Computer Based Laboratory (CBL) is one Computer Based Laboratory (CBL) is one

helpful tool in middle and high school helpful tool in middle and high school classes. How it works: classes. How it works:

Sensors collect dataSensors collect data Data downloaded into a computer or Data downloaded into a computer or

calculator calculator Data can be manipulated and stored in a Data can be manipulated and stored in a

spreadsheet for long-term investigationsspreadsheet for long-term investigations



Visualizing data and phenomenaVisualizing data and phenomena• Computer simulations can help students see Computer simulations can help students see

data or processes that may be hard to see data or processes that may be hard to see directlydirectly

Students can manipulate elements to help in Students can manipulate elements to help in visualization of different types of phenomena: visualization of different types of phenomena:

• Macroscopic – Large-scale processesMacroscopic – Large-scale processes Example: Phases of the moon can be sped up and Example: Phases of the moon can be sped up and

viewed in a fraction of its actual timeviewed in a fraction of its actual time• Microscopic- Small-scale processesMicroscopic- Small-scale processes

Example: Molecular structure or growth cycle of Example: Molecular structure or growth cycle of plants and animalsplants and animals

Teachers can use visualization software to Teachers can use visualization software to supplement lecture and tutorials, and for use with supplement lecture and tutorials, and for use with demonstrationsdemonstrations


The The Key to Freshwater AlgaeKey to Freshwater Algae::A Helpful ToolA Helpful Tool

Interactive web-based Interactive web-based tool that uses a tool that uses a multimedia approach multimedia approach to increasing student to increasing student learning of microscopic learning of microscopic organismsorganisms• Incorporates high-Incorporates high-

quality images of 75 quality images of 75 genera of algae, genera of algae, diagrams, and diagrams, and informational pages informational pages of terms and of terms and structuresstructures

• Students narrow Students narrow down a list of down a list of organisms based on organisms based on provided provided characteristicscharacteristics

Available at Available at http://http://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.silicasecchidisk.conncoll.eduedu



Analyzing dataAnalyzing data• Computers are very Computers are very

helpful in allowing helpful in allowing students to easily students to easily analyze data using analyze data using spreadsheetsspreadsheets

Statistics or algorithms Statistics or algorithms can be applied to data can be applied to data to help students find to help students find relationships and relationships and correlation between correlation between datadata

GIS software lets GIS software lets students analyze students analyze components of an components of an image by looking for image by looking for connections between connections between attributesattributes

*Image from Google Images


GIS Software: What is it?GIS Software: What is it? GIS, or the Geographic GIS, or the Geographic

Information System, is a Information System, is a technology tool for technology tool for teaching geography and teaching geography and map skillsmap skills• Allows students to Allows students to

interact with maps to interact with maps to learn their functions and learn their functions and see how they worksee how they work

• According to Eui-kyung According to Eui-kyung (2006), research has (2006), research has shown improvement in shown improvement in student learning of student learning of geographic content and geographic content and map skills with use of GISmap skills with use of GIS

GIS is increasingly in GIS is increasingly in demand in business demand in business and industry, and also and industry, and also governmentgovernment• GIS software will be GIS software will be

increasingly important increasingly important in the global economy in the global economy

• Movement to increase Movement to increase student exposure and student exposure and knowledge of this knowledge of this softwaresoftware



Communicating Communicating resultsresults• Once data is collected Once data is collected

and analyzed, results and analyzed, results are written up and are written up and submitted for submitted for publicationpublication

• Graphs, visualizations, Graphs, visualizations, pictures, and digital pictures, and digital images can be used to images can be used to record and easily share record and easily share datadata

• The Internet provides a The Internet provides a means for means for communication and communication and sharing of resultssharing of results


Supporting Science Concept Supporting Science Concept LearningLearning

Technologies that simulate and provide Technologies that simulate and provide models of scientific processes can help models of scientific processes can help students learn basic scientific skillsstudents learn basic scientific skills• Complex scientific concepts can be made Complex scientific concepts can be made

easier to understand by showing students how easier to understand by showing students how these processes work, rather than a static these processes work, rather than a static picture on a pagepicture on a page

Students can learn about complex anatomy through Students can learn about complex anatomy through virtual dissectionsvirtual dissections

A program that simulates color mixing allows A program that simulates color mixing allows students to visualize mixing colored lightstudents to visualize mixing colored light

• Skills can later be built upon and applied to Skills can later be built upon and applied to scientific inquiryscientific inquiry


Accessing Science Information and Accessing Science Information and ToolsTools

Internet is a wealth of information and data that Internet is a wealth of information and data that students can use in scientific investigationsstudents can use in scientific investigations• Students can participate in learning activities and Students can participate in learning activities and

experiments such as controlling a space rover or experiments such as controlling a space rover or telescope telescope

The web is a valuable resource for the most The web is a valuable resource for the most current science informationcurrent science information• Books can easily become obsolete after printing, as Books can easily become obsolete after printing, as

knowledge about science is constantly being changed knowledge about science is constantly being changed and modifiedand modified

Internet can also be a valuable resource for Internet can also be a valuable resource for teachersteachers• Teachers can find resources to aid in their content Teachers can find resources to aid in their content

knowledge and professional development knowledge and professional development • The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse, or ENC, offers The Eisenhower National Clearinghouse, or ENC, offers

resources for teachers, as well as training opportunities resources for teachers, as well as training opportunities


ReferencesReferences Eui-kyung, S. (2006). Using geographic information system (GIS) Eui-kyung, S. (2006). Using geographic information system (GIS) to to

improve fourth graders’ geographic content knowledge and map improve fourth graders’ geographic content knowledge and map skills. skills. Journal of GeographyJournal of Geography, , 105, 105, 109-120. Retrieved November 3, 109-120. Retrieved November 3, 2006, from Education Research Complete database.2006, from Education Research Complete database.

Freshwater Ecology Laboratory. (n.d.). Freshwater Ecology Laboratory. (n.d.). SilicaSecchiDiskSilicaSecchiDisk. Retrieved . Retrieved November 11, 2006. November 11, 2006.

http://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.eduhttp://silicasecchidisk.conncoll.edu

Goyette, K., & Mullen, A. Who studies the arts and sciences? Social Goyette, K., & Mullen, A. Who studies the arts and sciences? Social background and the choice and consequences of undergraduate field background and the choice and consequences of undergraduate field of of study. study. Journal of Higher Education, 77, Journal of Higher Education, 77, 497-538. Retrieved 497-538. Retrieved November November 8, 2006, from Education Research Complete database.8, 2006, from Education Research Complete database.

Gitomer, D. H., Latham, A., & Ziomek, R. (1999). Gitomer, D. H., Latham, A., & Ziomek, R. (1999). The academic quality The academic quality of of prospective teachers: The impact of admissions and licensure prospective teachers: The impact of admissions and licensure testing. testing. Princeton, NJ: Teaching and Learning Division, Educational Princeton, NJ: Teaching and Learning Division, Educational Testing Service.Testing Service.

National Academy of Sciences. (1995). National Academy of Sciences. (1995). National science education National science education standards. standards. Retrieved November 9, 2006. Retrieved November 9, 2006. http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/ http://www.nap.edu/readingroom/books/nses/


References (continued)References (continued) National Science Foundation. (2006, February). National Science Foundation. (2006, February). Science and engineering Science and engineering

indicators 2006indicators 2006. Retrieved November 5, 2006. . Retrieved November 5, 2006. http://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind06/pdf_v2.htmhttp://www.nsf.gov/statistics/seind06/pdf_v2.htm

Ornstein, A. (2006). The frequency of hands-on experimentation and Ornstein, A. (2006). The frequency of hands-on experimentation and student attitudes toward science: A statistically significant relation. student attitudes toward science: A statistically significant relation. Journal of Science Education & TechnologyJournal of Science Education & Technology, , 1515, 285-297. Retrieved , 285-297. Retrieved November 3, 2006, from Education Research Complete database.November 3, 2006, from Education Research Complete database.

Roblyer, M.D. (2006). Technology in mathematics and science instruction. Roblyer, M.D. (2006). Technology in mathematics and science instruction. In M.D. Roblyer (Ed.), In M.D. Roblyer (Ed.), Integrating educational technology into Integrating educational technology into

teachingteaching (pp. 336-343). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson (pp. 336-343). Upper Saddle River, New Jersey: Pearson Education, Inc.Education, Inc.

Shayler, H. & Siver, P. (2006). Key to Freshwater Algae: A web-based tool Shayler, H. & Siver, P. (2006). Key to Freshwater Algae: A web-based tool to enhance understanding of microscopic biodiversity. to enhance understanding of microscopic biodiversity. Journal of Journal of Science Education & TechnologyScience Education & Technology, , 1515, 298-303. Retrieved , 298-303. Retrieved

November November 3, 2006, from Education Research Complete database.3, 2006, from Education Research Complete database.

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Chris Sharron and Tony Garcia 1 Chapter 11: Technology In Science Instruction