The Tech Savvy Teacher

Welcome to the age of technology. Since entering this era, technology has become more readily accessible to both teachers and students. Teachers now have the opportunity to allow students to discover science on a first-hand basis rather than relying on the experiences of others. With the advantage of technological software and hardware, learning becomes more meaningful, appeals to different types of learners, and reinforces the concepts being taught.

We took advantage of such technology by including it in the experiment we carried out to introduce the concept of physical changes of matter and how temperature affects the states of matter. We decided to begin with the most familiar substance: water.

To display these changes, we began with a pot of frozen water. Using the digital temperature probe and its corresponding software program Logger Pro, we simply connected its USB cord into the computer and placed the probe into the pot of ice in order to calculate and record the current temperature of the ice. 

Leaving the probe in the pot of ice, we then increased the temperature of the burner. As the probe recorded the increase in temperature by graphing it on the computer, we observed how the water transformed from a solid to a liquid state. 

Increasing the temperature of the burner yet again, we left the probe in the pot to continue recording the changes in temperature of the water until it transformed into its final state, a gas. 

  

We concluded the experiment by observing the graph on the computer and analyzing the correlation between the increase in temperature and each physical state of water.

Although basic experiments, like the one we accomplished, can be performed in the classroom in old school fashion, technology like the portable, digital probe provides more accurate data, graphs changes in temperature in real time and exposes students to the limitless possibilities technology has to offer. Furthermore, with the supplement of this particular technology, students are learning how to observe a set of data as well as analyze, identify, and describe the relationships involved with temperature and physical states of matter as shown on graphs.

My Discovery of Stellarium!

One of the science/math technologies I explored was a software program called "Stellarium."  This program provides a simulation of the night sky and allows its users to hone in on any stellar body or object, from galaxies, to planets, to star clusters, etc.  "Stellarium" also allows you to view the night sky from any hemisphere at any time of day.  One feature also allows you to see all of the 88 constellations as well as their corresponding mythological figures superimposed over the group of stars that comprises that constellation.  It is an enjoyable program that uses impressive graphics, real time images, and numerous tools and features that enable you to come to a better understanding of numerous scientific and astronomic concepts.

TPACK

TPACK, the acronym meaning Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge, is the idyllic combination of knowledge types all teachers should possess.  The ability to maintain all of these types of knowledge is, or should be, the goal of every teacher.  All teachers should be able to properly exercise their pedagogical knowledge in order to fully engage students as they learn specific subject matter while also utilizing and applying their knowledge of technology to enhance the content being taught.  If teachers can master this, they will be more successful in reaching students of all learning types because they will have the tools and understanding that is required to prepare a variety of involved and captivating lesson plans.

RSS Feeds and Web 2.0

Before this week's lesson, I had only heard of RSS feeds.  I never knew what they stood for or what purpose they served.  However, this past week I learned what a useful tool these Rich Site Summaries, or RSS feeds, are.  These feeds automatically update the information on the sites that you are linked to, thus keeping you continuously updated and informed of any changes on the sites you are interested in.  Using RSS feeds is also more time efficient because rather than looking up every individual site, it leads you directly to the main web page.

I also learned some helpful Web 2.0 tools like blogs, and resources like "Delicious" and "Goodreads."  These are amazing tools that allow teachers to share, organize, and collect educational resources.  I have already found Goodreads to be especially useful when it comes to generating a list of grade-level appropriate children's books.  These categorized lists will serve as an excellent reference when I am creating my classroom library.  Also, through the "Delicious" site, I have been able to establish a well protected account of online teacher resources that I can use when preparing lesson plans for multiple subjects.  I am excited to continue using these tools and hope that they will enhance the efficiency of my preparation and planning for my future classes.

Background and History in Technology

I have been fortunate enough to have grown up in a very technologically advanced household.  My father is an avid Macintosh user, and as a result, he has always had at least two computers in the house for family usage.  From using computers, I have gained an understanding of how to manage both Macintosh and Microsoft operating systems, as well as a number of software programs, and have a basic knowledge of keyboard functions and shortcuts.