Content Area Assignment #1
Math & Science
Part One
Review four simulations, post links to the four, and give a review of each.
Simulation One
Gizmos Plate Tectonics
General Observations:
Easy to find different simulations using the grade level and content search tool. Using the Gizmo was relatively easy. A bonus is the worksheet and on line "quiz". The worksheet asked students to look at plates before and after, and the worksheet is very useful in terms of helping making sense of the concepts. I think this would be better suited for middle school students; however, it could be used as reinforcement at the high school level (especially for students who are struggling with the ideas).
Applicability to Earth and Space Science (for high school learners):
For high school aged students this could be used as an introductory activity. I think a better use would be for scaffolding the lesson. This simulation would benefit any student that is struggling with the ideas of plate interactions.
Drawbacks: Available as a free trial. Pricing is not readily available on the website.
Review four simulations, post links to the four, and give a review of each.
Simulation One
Gizmos Plate Tectonics
General Observations:
Easy to find different simulations using the grade level and content search tool. Using the Gizmo was relatively easy. A bonus is the worksheet and on line "quiz". The worksheet asked students to look at plates before and after, and the worksheet is very useful in terms of helping making sense of the concepts. I think this would be better suited for middle school students; however, it could be used as reinforcement at the high school level (especially for students who are struggling with the ideas).
Applicability to Earth and Space Science (for high school learners):
For high school aged students this could be used as an introductory activity. I think a better use would be for scaffolding the lesson. This simulation would benefit any student that is struggling with the ideas of plate interactions.
Drawbacks: Available as a free trial. Pricing is not readily available on the website.
Simulation Two
Phet Plate Tectonics
General Observations:
Easy to navigate and understand. This simulation is good because it shows not only what happens as a result of plate interactions (in this case, volcanic arc islands), but also gives a timeline (in millions of years)
Applicability to Earth and Space Science for high school learners):
For high school aged students this could be used as an introductory activity or as a follow up. I plan to use this after the on line tutorial, Dynamic Earth from Annenberg.
Drawbacks: Some students may have a difficult time understanding the temperature and density available, but with teacher guidance should be able to interpret information.
Phet Plate Tectonics
General Observations:
Easy to navigate and understand. This simulation is good because it shows not only what happens as a result of plate interactions (in this case, volcanic arc islands), but also gives a timeline (in millions of years)
Applicability to Earth and Space Science for high school learners):
For high school aged students this could be used as an introductory activity or as a follow up. I plan to use this after the on line tutorial, Dynamic Earth from Annenberg.
Drawbacks: Some students may have a difficult time understanding the temperature and density available, but with teacher guidance should be able to interpret information.
Simulation Three
EdHeads: Predict the Weather
General Observations:
This interactive is geared toward younger users. At times, navigating the interactive was frustrating, especially when plugging in answers, and would take several tries.
Applicability to Earth and Space Science for high school learners):
Again, I think that this would be better suited to middle school students; however, the prediction module could be good for high schoolers, as some have a difficult time making a prediction for future weather based on a map and symbols. This walks the student through the process of predicting weather.
Drawbacks: The Interactive describes how to determine wind direction based on the direction the wind is moving; however, the correct way to determine wind directions is from the direction the wind is coming. See the two screen shots below.
EdHeads: Predict the Weather
General Observations:
This interactive is geared toward younger users. At times, navigating the interactive was frustrating, especially when plugging in answers, and would take several tries.
Applicability to Earth and Space Science for high school learners):
Again, I think that this would be better suited to middle school students; however, the prediction module could be good for high schoolers, as some have a difficult time making a prediction for future weather based on a map and symbols. This walks the student through the process of predicting weather.
Drawbacks: The Interactive describes how to determine wind direction based on the direction the wind is moving; however, the correct way to determine wind directions is from the direction the wind is coming. See the two screen shots below.
Simulation Four
Ck12 Does a Blackhole Bend time?
General Observations:
Short simulations that ask good questions. Students always want to know "what happens near a black hole?" This simulation helps students figure out those answers. Geared toward high school physics and astronomy classes.
Applicability to Earth and Space Science for high school learners):
This simulation would be a perfect complement to a unit on star lifecycle. The simulation shows students how the intense gravity of a black hole slows time and increases wavelength.
Drawbacks: Some of the ideas might be beyond the scope of a high school class, but students can use this simulation as a jumping off point to answer questions that they have.
Ck12 Does a Blackhole Bend time?
General Observations:
Short simulations that ask good questions. Students always want to know "what happens near a black hole?" This simulation helps students figure out those answers. Geared toward high school physics and astronomy classes.
Applicability to Earth and Space Science for high school learners):
This simulation would be a perfect complement to a unit on star lifecycle. The simulation shows students how the intense gravity of a black hole slows time and increases wavelength.
Drawbacks: Some of the ideas might be beyond the scope of a high school class, but students can use this simulation as a jumping off point to answer questions that they have.
Part Two
Locate and post at least 20 math and/or science Internet resources that could support your final project theme.
Locate and post at least 20 math and/or science Internet resources that could support your final project theme.