Why Gizmos?
"online simulations that power inquiry and understanding" (explorelearning.com)
Image from: http://www.eduss.com.au/school/product_info.php/cPath/66_68/products_id/131
Image from: http://www.eduss.com.au/school/product_info.php/cPath/66_68/products_id/131
Gizmos are interactive, web-based simulations developed by explorelearning.com. They cover a range of topics in math and science education and can be used with students from grade 3 through to year 12.
Gizmos are generally fun, inquiry based activities that aim to challenge students thinking through open-ended investigation and exploration so that they may arrive at a specific ‘Ah-hah’ moment (elearning.com). Inquiry based investigations are rich, student centered activities that develop students abilities to ask questions, solve problems and promote a passion for life long learning.
Gizmos cover the ‘engage’ and ‘explore’ domains of the E5 instructional model. Additional classroom teaching and class discussion can be used to ‘explain’, ‘elaborate’ and ‘evaluate’ on the concepts learned during the Gizmo activity.
Due to the web-based nature of Gizmos, students are able to access them from any computer or device with Internet access. Students using gizmos engage in 21st century literacies whilst learning specific concepts. The major benefit of using Gizmos to supplement teaching is that students are provided with immediate feedback. This means that they no longer have to wait days or even weeks to see the effects of manipulating different variables.
Gizmos come complete with a downloadable ‘Student exploration sheet’ and ‘Teacher guide’. The teacher guide is complete with a ‘pre-gizmo activity’, scientific background knowledge and a suggested lesson sequence for completing the gizmo. It also directs the teacher to other resources and related gizmos.
This gizmo allows students to study photosynthesis in a variety of conditions. The rate of photosynthesis is measured by the amount of oxygen produced. Students are able to vary factors such as Light intensity, carbon dioxide levels, temperature, and wavelength of light to determine their effect on photosynthesis. In completing this task students should be able to identify the ideal conditions required for photosynthesis and understand how limiting factors affect oxygen production (explorelearning.com).This Gizmo could be incorporated into Year 9 science where the students are required to 'compare respiration and photosynthesis and their role in biological processes' (ACARA, 2012).
Gizmos are generally fun, inquiry based activities that aim to challenge students thinking through open-ended investigation and exploration so that they may arrive at a specific ‘Ah-hah’ moment (elearning.com). Inquiry based investigations are rich, student centered activities that develop students abilities to ask questions, solve problems and promote a passion for life long learning.
Gizmos cover the ‘engage’ and ‘explore’ domains of the E5 instructional model. Additional classroom teaching and class discussion can be used to ‘explain’, ‘elaborate’ and ‘evaluate’ on the concepts learned during the Gizmo activity.
Due to the web-based nature of Gizmos, students are able to access them from any computer or device with Internet access. Students using gizmos engage in 21st century literacies whilst learning specific concepts. The major benefit of using Gizmos to supplement teaching is that students are provided with immediate feedback. This means that they no longer have to wait days or even weeks to see the effects of manipulating different variables.
Gizmos come complete with a downloadable ‘Student exploration sheet’ and ‘Teacher guide’. The teacher guide is complete with a ‘pre-gizmo activity’, scientific background knowledge and a suggested lesson sequence for completing the gizmo. It also directs the teacher to other resources and related gizmos.
This gizmo allows students to study photosynthesis in a variety of conditions. The rate of photosynthesis is measured by the amount of oxygen produced. Students are able to vary factors such as Light intensity, carbon dioxide levels, temperature, and wavelength of light to determine their effect on photosynthesis. In completing this task students should be able to identify the ideal conditions required for photosynthesis and understand how limiting factors affect oxygen production (explorelearning.com).This Gizmo could be incorporated into Year 9 science where the students are required to 'compare respiration and photosynthesis and their role in biological processes' (ACARA, 2012).
photosynthesis_lab_ student handout.pdf | |
File Size: | 121 kb |
File Type: |
photosynthesis_lab_teacher guide.pdf | |
File Size: | 131 kb |
File Type: |
References:
ACARA (2012). Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority. Accessed 08/10/2012. http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Science/Curriculum/F-10
explorelearning.com (2012) 'Experience math and science with Gizmos'. Cambium Learning Group. Accessed 08/10/2012. www.explorelearning.com
ACARA (2012). Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority. Accessed 08/10/2012. http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/Science/Curriculum/F-10
explorelearning.com (2012) 'Experience math and science with Gizmos'. Cambium Learning Group. Accessed 08/10/2012. www.explorelearning.com