Transcript A New Kind of Quest: CultureQuest

ScienceQuest: Integrating Science
and Technology in Elementary and
Secondary Classrooms
Dr. Sheila Offman Gersh
City College of New York
[email protected]
http://www.culturequest.us/sciencequest
http://www.schoollink.org/twin
ScienceQuest projects are:
inquiry-based investigations of
science topics drawn from the
curriculum and students’ questions
and interests which result in
“educational” websites so as to
share students work with peers.
Science Projects may:
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Focus on topics in the Curriculum
Focus on topics of interest to the
students
Focus on a world/social problem
related to science
Compare and contrast any of the
above.
Three Broad Steps in Structuring
a ScienceQuest Project
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As a class learns about the content of a particular science
topic (core information) students begin to explore areas of
the topic that they would be interested in studying in more
depth.
Students select specific areas of the topic and work
individually in small interest groups to research the
aspects of the topic chosen.
Teacher and Students develop an “educational” web site
presenting the results of the inquiry to interested peers.
WHAT TOPICS IN
SCIENCE ARE EXAMINED?
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Exploring Properties
Weather and Seasons
Plants and Animals
Sun, Moon and Earth
Systems
Body Systems
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Diversity of Life
language
Habitat Study
Forces and Motion
Geology
Others
ELA STANDARDS
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Standard 1 - Language for Information and
Understanding
.
Standard 2 - Language for Literary Response and
Expression
Standard 3 - Language for Critical Analysis and
Evaluation
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Standard 4 - Language for Social Interaction
ScienceQuest Projects Should be
Designed to Meet the Following
NETS Standards
Social, ethical, and human issues
Students understand the ethical, cultural, and societal issues related
to technology.
Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that
support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and
productivity.
Technology productivity tools
Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase
productivity, and promote creativity.
Students use productivity tools to collaborate in constructing
technology-enhanced models, prepare publications, and
produce other creative works.
NETS Standards (continued)
Technology communications tools
Students use telecommunications to collaborate, publish, and interact
with peers, experts, and other audiences.
Students use a variety of media and formats to communicate
information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences.
Technology research tools
Students use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information
from a variety of sources.
Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
Students evaluate and select new information resources and
technological innovations based on the appropriateness for
specific tasks.
Technology problem-solving and decision-making tools
Students use technology resources for solving problems and making
informed decisions. Students employ technology in the
development of strategies for solving problems in the real
world.
Traditional Model of Education
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21ST Century Model of Education
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Support teachers may need in
doing a ScienceQuest project
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Assistance in locating
good science
resources .
Assistance in guiding
students to produce
more sophisticated
and accomplished
work.
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Help with specific
uses of technology (email, Internet,
creating Web sites,
etc.)
Assistance with the
pedagogy that
supports inquirybased projects
ScienceQuest Teachers Gain
these Technology Skills
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Access Internet resources for the study of culture.
Promote communication with students and experts in the
topic (ePals).
Internet Basics --searching, evaluating Web sites, use of
proper citation, appropriate and ethical use policies, etc.
Teaching with the Internet
Inspiration for graphical mapping of project
Creation of an educational Web site.
Assist students in using multimedia to support projects
(e.g., digital photography, video, graphics and other
applications.)
ScienceQuest Teachers Gain
These Technology Skills
Access Internet
science resources
for the project and
web-based lessons
Promote
communication
with students and
experts in the topic
(ePals).
Inspiration for
graphical mapping
of project
Creation of an
educational Web
site.
Internet Basics -searching,
evaluating, use of
proper citation,
appropriate and
ethical use policies,
etc.
Assist students in
using multimedia
to support projects
(e.g., digital
photography,
video, graphics and
other applications.)
Related ScienceQuest Skills
Academic
Technology
Learning
Styles
Science
Reading
Internet Use
Problem
Solving
Inquiry Skills
Writing
Computer
Skills
Research
Skills
Knowledge of
Topic Studied
Music, Art,
Literature
Web Site
Design
Creativity
Interest in
Science
History,
geography
Presentation &
Graphics
Collaboration
Presenting
Findings
ScienceQuest Pedagogy
StudentCentered
Constructivist
Project-Based
Authentic
Ownership
Multiple
Intelligences
Inquiry-Based
Collaborative
Teacher as
Facilitator
Students as
Workers
StandardsBased
Real Audiences
for Work
The ScienceQuest Process
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Decide on a science topic
Brainstorm what students know about the
topic
Brainstorm what students want to know
about the topic
Cover the core areas with whole class
The ScienceQuest Process (cont’d)
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Use ePals.com to find experts
Students communicate with experts using
e-mail on ePals.com
Divide students into small groups by
interest area
In Gathering
Information about the Topic
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Use books and library resources
Use Internet resources
E-mail to students and/or adult experts
Teach Student Technology Skills
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Graphic Organizers (Inspiration)
Internet Basics (searching, evaluation,
citation)
Web Page creation
Web Editing
Uploading/managing website
Final Products
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Class creates Web site with general
information and links to group projects
Other multimedia products:
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PowerPoint
HyperStudio
Digital stories with stills and videos