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Use of Probes
to Enhance Junior Science
This fall, a pilot project
investigates the use of Science Probes and Handheld Computers
in the Junior (Grades 4-6) Science Classroom. In the Summer
of 2003, interested teachers attended a full-day Professional
Development Institute to learn all about this technology.
| Is this technology just
for the sake of technology? We think not. The traditional
science experiment can often involve a great deal of
preparation, planning, performing. The analysis
of the results generate observations that are subject
to student error when using analogue devices such as
rulers, thermometers, etc. With Handheld Computers
and Science Probes, an experiment can be completed
in minutes, devoting the rest of the time to discussion
and analysis of results obtained with digital precision. |
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In this manner, students begin
to talk about science, can develop and test different hypotheses
in minutes, and more time is left to document their observations
and conclusions obtained from precise data.
A number of kits have been
developed that Junior grade teachers may book at the appropriate
time in the school year. Kits can be customized for the
topic being taught. A base kit consists of:
- 6 Palm m130 colour handheld
computers
- 1 Margi data projector
interface
- Data collection sheets
- Vernier Probe/Palm interface
- Motion Detector
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- pH probe
- Temperature probe
- Voltage probe
- Light sensor
- Heart rate monitor
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A number
of pieces of software come pre-installed on the handheld
computers.
- Vernier
Logger Pro lets the handheld computer receive data from
the science probe
- PicoMap
lets students draw graphic organizers to illustrate the
concepts learned during the course of the experiment
- Sketchy
lets students draw images illustrating the experiment
The
Greater Essex County District School Board is actively
developing lesson plans suitable for the use of these technologies
and the Junior level student. As with all good curriculum,
these lesson plans directly address expectations from the
Ontario Curriculum. And, as with all of the GECDSB computer
resources, we are happy to share them. Requests should
be made to Donald
Fay or Doug
Peterson.
Greater
Essex County teachers have been sharing their successes
from this pilot project. Recent presentations have been
given at
For further details of the components, check out:
Read
about how this project took shape in one classroom at Mill
Street Public School at our Blended
Solutions OKNL ICT Project in the November Newsletter.
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