Mid-South Instructional Technology Conference
Teaching, Learning, & Technology
The Challenge Continues
March 30-April 1, 2003
How to Modify Science Lectures into Active Learning Sessions with Technology
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By: Alan Earhart |
Abstract
Instructors can use digital cameras, camcorders, software packages, and web technology to create classroom and web presentations that will actively involve their students in the course material. This session will discuss how to use digital cameras and camcorders to make images and digital movies, how graphics programs can be used to make animations, and how web pages enhanced with JavaScript can be used to enhance your course material. Specific examples from the author's Chemistry classes and personal website will be used.
Description
Science instructors use demonstrations and other visual techniques to engage their students and now have access to digital cameras and camcorders to add new and exciting elements to a lecture or website. This session will offer a number of ideas and examples using work created by the author.
Digital cameras and camcorders can be purchased at relatively inexpensive prices. The software included with many digital cameras allows easy transfer of pictures to the computer. The beauty of a digital camera is that one doesn't need to wait for the film to be developed to see the results! Additionally, a series of still shots can be combined using inexpensive software such as QuickTime Pro from Apple into time-lapsed or virtual reality movies. The camcorder can be useful to make movies of difficult or even dangerous demonstrations. Once it's recorded, you have a permanent copy of it.
QuickTime Pro can be used to edit and dub a soundtrack into movies. For my Chemistry classes, I use the digital video to catalog the different demonstrations and to allow my students to focus on certain aspects of reactions that may be missed during a single, live viewing. I am not suggesting that video replace live demonstrations but that it augment your work.
Software such as Macromedia's Fireworks, GraphicConverter (Macintosh software), Microsoft PowerPoint, and more can be used to create simple but effective animations to illustrate specific aspects of a lecture. Examples will be shown which range from the relatively simply to complex.
Web pages offer another way to augment your coursework. Instructors can make supplementary material available on the web such as homework solutions, tutorials, demonstrations, and more. Web technology allows the instructor to do more than make static pages. The addition of JavaScript and digital video can alter a static, text-based web page into a dynamic and interactive learning experience for the student. And now that MathML has been incorporated into some web browsers, mathematical formulas don't need to be inserted as images. Instructors can use a combination of JavaScript and MathML to create dynamically generated tutorial sessions to assist your students both in the classroom and outside of the classroom. Examples will include molecular models displayed as animated images and as Chime-generated images, mathematical tutorials that are randomly generated using JavaScript, and more.