This is my essay on Virtual experiments. It emphasize on the advantages, drawback and one example of virtual experiments that can be used that cover Primary Science topic on ‘Force and Movement’.

Click on below link to view my essay on Virtual Experiment

Virtual Experiments

·   SET UP

We have decided to choose the topic ‘Electricity: Conductors and Non-Conductors’. The unit goal for this topic is to enable pupils to understand about the concepts of conductors and non-conductors of electricity. With respect to learning objectives;

a)     differentiate between conductors and non-conductors of electricity,

b)    name at least 3 examples of conductor materials and 3 examples of non-conductor materials,

c)     setup an experiment to test conductors and non-conductors of electricity. The materials needed for this experiments are as follow: circuit boards, cells, bulbs, wires, and conductor kit (e.g. iron rod, coin, pencil lead, safety pin, paper clip, rubber band, wood, aluminums rod, copper wire) and

d)    explain the usefulness of conductors and non-conductors/insulators in electrical appliances.

·         EXPLORATION

There is various exploration and investigative activities that can integrated in the lesson. A particular activity that can be carried out is through group practical experiment, for example investigating a list of materials for conductors and non-conductors. Each group will be given the following materials: circuit board, batteries, wires, bulb, materials (packed in a plastic bag) and investigative form. Each group’s task is to test the materials given and classify whether they are conductors and non-conductors and report their findings in their investigation form. At the end, each group’s representative will present their findings to the whole-class. During the presentation, the teacher can look for learning misconceptions and correct the errors, and discuss with the whole-class.

·   THE HOOK OR SET INDUCTION

For the first step in the set induction, we would switch of all the lights in the Science lab and ask the pupils whether they could see in the dark or not? Then, we would ask the pupils of what they should do when the lights are off. It is expected that they would answer as ‘to switch on the lights’. Before this lesson they have learnt about circuits, switch, bulbs, wire and cells. So, we would remind the pupils that in order for the bulbs to light up, the switch has to be close to allowing the flow of current.

After that, we would explain to pupils that the switch has to be a ‘conductor’ of electricity so that electric current could flow throughout the circuit. At this point, we could introduce the new topic about ‘conductor and non-conductor’ to the class.

Feel free to use our lesson plan that emphasize on a) Set Up, b) Exploration and c) The Hook or Set Induction as a guide to teach Science on Electricity: ‘Conductors and Non-conductors’. J

This lesson plan is designed by our group:

Angela Jossela Binti Siabu- 07B0608

Norayati Binti Masilin @  Morsilin- 07B0628

Mohammad Hamdani Bin Mustapa- 07B0629

This is an example of lesson plan that used to teach Mathematics on topic Place Values.

·   SET UP

We would like to choose the topic on ‘place values’, particularly from units to one thousands. The unit goal is to ensure children understand the concepts of place values and apply the knowledge for daily usage. The learning objectives of the lesson are as follow: At the end of the lesson, pupils will be able to:

a) recognise the place values of units, tens, hundreds and one thousands,

 b) write the value in BOTH numerals and words,

 c) orally pronounce the values correctly (example, 35: “thirty-five” NOT “three five”,

d) explain the usefulness of place values in the real world situation (e.g. labeling items, quantity, age, year, prices etc) and

e) construct numbers in various place values mentally. The essential materials needed for this lesson are: Dienes block, abacus, flash cards, concrete materials (e.g. sea shells, paper clips, stones, beads, beans, marbles–> used to represent place values creatively, particularly for class projects).

·   EXPLORATION

On the mathematic subject topic Place values, we would set hands on activities for them to do. As a first activity, we would divide the pupils into groups of 4 or 5 and provide them with Dienes block, abacus, flash cards, concrete materials (e.g. sea shells, paper clips, stones, beads, beans, marbles). Each of the group would be given with a worksheet that they would answer together. One example of question would be “Which of the number is larger? “245 or 542?” They would need to explain how they come up with the answer with the help of the materials given. For the individual exercise, a worksheet would also be given in which they are required to write the value of numbers in words.

·   THE HOOK OR SET INDUCTION

we would take out some objects with price tags (say that i have bought them from a store). Example of objects would be like a story book, a bag, a digital camera. The price should be varying from at least a dollar to hundreds of dollar. We would ask the pupils to guess how much each if the object worth. Which are the cheapest and the most expensive? (Say that the book would cost around $7, the bag costs around $30 and the digital camera worth $200). We would write the suggested price on the board and finally, telling them the real price of the item. We would then ask the pupils what they notice about the price and when they seem to have ideas about the lesson going to be taught, we would introduce the topic of the lesson which is going to be on Place values.

Feel free to use our lesson plan that emphasize on a) Set Up, b) Exploration and c) The Hook or Set Induction as a guide to teach Mathematics on ‘Place Value from 1-999’. J

This lesson plan is designed by our group:

Angela Jossela Binti Siabu- 07B0608

Norayati Binti Masilin @  Morsilin- 07B0628

Mohammad Hamdani Bin Mustapa- 07B0629

Pictures show thousand words. So teachers can ask the pupils to draw their own mind map after learning certain topics to show their understanding. Not only that, teachers also can get the feedback of the pupils’ understanding from what the pupils draw.

 Feel free to go to the website below to see the importance of using drawing in primary school pupils’ learning.

http://www.ed.psu.edu/CI/Journals/2002aets/s5_stein_mcmair.rtf.

Below is example of how teacher can keep portfolios for lower primary math. The example is derived from topic on place value.

·   Manually

Teachers need to clarify such topics so that pupils will not be confused and not be able to use those skills in the future. Teachers can use a game, “shopping games” and ask the pupils to spend using given money. Teachers can provide papers in which the pupils can list the things that they can buy with the given money. Here, the pupils will need to use their knowledge on the ‘Place Value’ to buy item sufficient money that they have. Then teachers can check those papers and see how they did the “shopping task” and put them as portfolios.

·   Electronically-

Teachers can use electronic games in which the scoring is done automatically. Then teachers can keep all these progress as portfolios via blog.

Both types of keeping portfolios help teachers especially in tracking the pupils’ progress. Hence, teachers can try to have range of teaching methods and provides variety of activities to help facilitate the pupils learning.

Check this site to see how other school uses portfolios in their lessons.

http://www.schoolbag.sg/archives/2008/03/portfolio_assessment.php

Today, our lecturer gave us a new website. It is a cool website. What is it? Well it is a website in which you can create animation on your own. Teachers can use it to create animation that can aid teachers in teaching Maths and Science in more interesting or even effective ways. You can check it on the address below.

http://www.animation.com/

Hello ICT world.. This semester I’m taking ICT in teaching Science and Mathematics. I’m taking this course so that I can learn and have variety ways especially using ICT in my future teaching. In this blog, I will share all the ICT stuffs that I learn in class and out of class with you. So, let’s begin our journey..

P/S: It might be slow but I will try my best to keep updating new things..