Animations and Simulations.
This group of tools are Web-based interactive resources. They should be used in conjunction with a larger learning context. They have an advantage over print based material when complex interaction and abstract concepts are being focused upon. They can offer virtual experiences for learning objects and concepts are too expensive or unavailable for use. Being Web-based allows students access to them in and out of the classroom.
Online Learning Objects are resources designed with animation and simulation. Education Queensland has a growing number of Learning Objects at their Learning Place Web site. Technology Source Archives explains in more detail what Learning Objects are and how teachers are using them.
Follow this link to learn more. http://technologysource.org/article/preparing_teachers_to_use_learning_objects/
Here are some examples of Learning Objects. You can tell by some of the titles why a simulation would be the best avenue for students for learning.
· Crime Scene Investigation – http://smartmoves.questacon.edu.au/activities/qcsi.html
Crime Scene Investigation is a multi-player game developed by Questacon for secondary students. It creates awareness of innovation, technology and entrepreneurship amongst older students. Students can play by all visiting the same web page at the same time and play against each other.
· Dissect a Frog – http://dissect.froguts.com/
Froguts is a subscriptive software that allows students to dissect a number of creatures without actually dealing with real dead animals. Teachers can decide to subscribe for class presentations or class interactive lessons.
· ExploreLearning – http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm
The ExploreLearning web offers the world's largest library of interactive online simulations for math and science education in grades 3-12. The simulations are called Gizmos. Gizmos are fun, easy to use, and help students develop a deep understanding of challenging concepts of maths and science through inquiry and exploration.
· Gapminder – Gapminder is an interactive graphing tool that can be customised for a range of purposes. This is a video on how Gapminder can support thinking and reasoning.
Adobe Flash is a comprehensive tool that allows developers to build simulations and animations as well as interactive learning environments. Generally it is only for the more competent user. But Flash is also used in schools to create interactive animations. Kristine Kopelke has created a large number of very simple tutorials for school students to adults at her Flash Classroom site. Follow the link to learn more. http://www.flashclassroom.com/cms/flashclassroom/index.php
Google Earth
This is a fantastic resource for teachers. It fascinates students immediately when they can Google their own backyard. Students can explore other countries, specific streets and locations near and far. Visit this site to explore the range of classroom applications available with this resource. http://sitescontent.google.com/google-earth-for-educators/
Google Maps
Google Maps are similar to Google Earth but a Google Map can be embedded into a Blog or Wiki site. You can also create individualised maps and upload text and photos onto it. To learn more about making your own map follow this link. http://support.google.com/maps/bin/static.py?hl=en&topic=21676&guide=21670&page=guide.cs&from=21676&rd=2
Google Documents for Collaboration
This resource which allows collaboration and global input. With this tool a teacher can see whose working where and doing what. Students can ask questions and get immediate response and documents can be saved with everyone’s input recognised. The following URL will link you to further information on documents for collaboration.
Online Concept Mapping
Online concept mapping tools such as Bubbl.us and Text2Mindmap offers student tools to create and design concept maps online and save and upload them to their online page.
This is an example I created using the Text2Mindmap online tool.
Online Timelines
An online timeline allows you to do far more than just create a timeline of events. You can link video, audio, images and text. You can convert the timeline to a list, to a set of flip charts. You can zoom into a minute by minute timeline or spread over a centuries long timeline. The online tool, Dipity timeline can be used by students to create a specific timeline and can then be embedded into any web page. Follow the link here to create a timeline using the Dipity tool, http://www.dipity.com/
Zooburst
ZooBurst is a digital storytelling tool that is designed to let anyone easily create their own customized 3D pop-up books. This is a wonderful way to practice and teach writing as well and it is incredibly cool as well. All you need is a web cam to turn on the augmented reality features that are really awesome. Your own creations can be embedded.
Here is a YouTube on Zooburst
Museum Box
Museumbox allows you to place six-sided boxes into a display box. You can add different perspectives or artefacts to each face. It could be a video, a text description, a narrative, or an image. MuseumBox poses the question: "If you could put a number of items into a box that describes my life, what would I include?" This reminds me of the Time capsule concept, where students create a time capsule for students I future times to find and learn about them and their lives at that specific time and age.
MuseumBox is free and can be found at http://museumbox.e2bn.org/about/
Reference List.
Central Queensland University. (2011). Moodle site. Retrieved from http://moodle.cqu.edu.au/file.php/17114/Week_5.pdf
http://www.text2mindmap.com/
http://www.text2mindmap.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwE25dx2CaU
No comments:
Post a Comment