I will now introduce another resource which could be used within the classroom to enhance and enrich the teaching and learning experience for you and your children in your class, like the data logger.
This resource is a follow on from the idea of the data logger within the classroom as it will enable the children to observe what is happening over the period of time in relation to materials changing states.
As we have seen, a data logger can capture the temperature changing throughout the experiment. We have all more than likely heard or seen a spreadsheet right? Ever considered using it within a science experiment?
We have all seen the typical spreadsheet but think back to those lessons where you have asked your children to draw up their results in a graph...I know from my own experience, if its not wheres the ruler Miss? or how do I do this? I've gone wrong, can I have another piece of paper please? It simply turns into a nightmare!
In relation to this topic, the children will have recorded their results from the data logger of the different temperatures at the various intervals. An activity for the children could be too enter the results on the spreadsheet, either through the trraditional microsoft excel, which most of you should be comfortable with or googlespread sheets. They can then go on to explore the different graphs they can create through the software as well as learning how we read graphs. An example of what we could expect the children to produce is below, just think, this does not require as much marking which means so much more time to do other things!
A Bar Chart
Or what about getting the children to experiment with the different ways they could show their results...For example, through a Pie Chart or a line graph - This would also have a close cross curricula with Mathematics and therefore you could also introduce this within your teaching, such as data collection and so on....
But as Teachers, we have too think about the disadvantages and how it will work within the classroom...
Imagine, Your just about to teach 30 year 3 children how to use a spreadsheet, there is always the chance the computer wont work because of hardware or software issues - Realiability issues.
This can create a stressful situation for you as well as very time consuming one, you have no teacher assistant to help you, what do you do?
Always try to organise the ICT suite or laptops before the lesson, I have done this is my own experience and it definately does help as you can sort out any problems in advance, meaning as easier lesson for you and less stressful!
Below is a link which explores the disadvantages as well as advanatges of using a spreadsheet within the classroom. It is presented in a slideshow format making it easy for you too read, take a look! :) It also includes the misconceptions which children may come across when using spreadsheet, this will be a huge help when using this resource within the classroom!
http://homepage.mac.com/drtlo/mywork/tlo/Reno2005/SpreadsheetIntegrationResources.html
http://homepage.mac.com/drtlo/mywork/tlo/Reno2005/SpreadsheetIntegrationResources.html
Why not take a look at these pages...
Below is an article in relation this using and teaching how to use spreadhseets :
This is a link to a teaching page which explores the basics of a spreadsheet and how we can use these within the classroom...It also shows you the steps based on how you create a graph through using a spreadsheet, which is the main activity explained above...
What do teachers think of using spreadsheets within the classroom?
This is a link which explores teachers opinions about the use of spreadhseets within the classroom. It also has links to other pages which suggests different ways in which you could use a resource like excel for teaching your class as well as ways in which it could help management for your own planning and organising of teaching.
What do I think about using a spreadsheet in the classroom?
Well, I feel this is a traditional kind of resource as many people think of excel as a basic kinda of software as well as only been used for mathematical reasoning or lessons. However, I think this can be used for many different lessons and for various purposes This fits perfectly with the idea of this lesson as the children could use the collection of data from the data logger, to produce an appropriate chart to present their findings. They could then use this as a discussion point to work on and discuss in relation to changing states and what has happened, as explained above.
I personally think through the use of a spreadsheet, the children will be developing the basic understand of presenting data and how they can use this software to enable them to show it clearly. However, it is presenting the findings from the data logger in a way in which the children can approach as well as making them meaningful and purposeful for their own subject knowledge. As I also discussed above, there could also be the use of a digital camera which could allow the children to use their final results on the graph through excel, to discuss the reasoning for this and what has occurred.
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