Video - A Powerful Tool

Where to begin with how video could be used in the Science Classroom. One such instance comes to mind last year while conducting an experiment on photosynthesis. The class ran out of time and our color indicator had not yet turned. Had we had a video on the lab set up with a clock in the picture, we could have just let it go and clocked it by re-viewing the video. We ended up missing when the color turned.

Other ideas to use video could be for student presentations. I could make the presentations coupled with proper public speaking. We could use the video to capture important data in field trips and labs.

We could do dissections, have one dissection on video for anyone who missed something or was absent or just could not find a body part on their own.

We could video things and then speed the video to see faster progressions (ex: mold on bread or some other food).

I could video lessons or additional lessons for kids to watch later - again or if they missed class.

Not sure if I could use video for behavior - video the class and if members of the class are misbehaving, use it to show their parents. Could email snipets of the misbehavior home to parents in an email (??) - would have to check this one out with administration but I like it!

Successful with the Net Generation

Through the reading of chapter 8 in Educause, I do not feel it will be that difficult to be successful with the Net Generation. The creators of online sites such as bugscope, webworks and other sites found and bookmarked, to utilize in science class, have done all the work. Yes, it is up to me to get on those sites, use them, manipulate them and incorporate them into the class curriculum but once doing so, the student experience will be well worth it. Many schools are not as up to snuff with their current science labs. To be able to plug into some of these sites, students are exposed to visuals that many other more funded schools are privileged to.

The visuals that are available via the internet allow students to see things that many students in the not so distant past could never hope to see. The exposures are incredible and they need to appreciate this technology.

I really like the segment in the reading discussing the Goals of Education and particularly this:

We must prepare all young people for lives of creativity, citizenship, and social responsibility as well as success in a workplace increasingly shaped by science and technology.

and

There are many approaches to articulating the purposes of a college education. All involve bringing together intellectual engagement and cognitive development with emotional maturity and social responsibility

I do not think I ever gave thought to this and it is articulated well here.

It is our responsibility as educators to make sure our students are kept up to date with current technologies. It is my responsibility to be successful in teaching the net generation by adapting to interactive sites and other computer based forums. It is what they are accustomed to and what they will be utilizing in their professional careers and that being said, I will be successful.

To quote from the text:

"As one faculty member put it, "Technology is a giant mirror reflecting back to you your own deepest issues. It challenges you to clarify what you value, to rediscover why you went into teaching in the first place, and to be honest about whether your original hopes have been realized. ". In the context of technology - I would be doing the students a great diservice by not being able to teach with all the current technology that is out there and sharing how to find such learning skills for their own betterment in my content area or any they are interested in.