science (biology, chemistry, physics, earth and space science)
Throughout their years in high school students will learn about 4 different sciences: biology, chemistry, physics and earth and space science. Within these individual sciences there are strands ranging from cellular biology to ecology and electricity to optics. The greatest challenge in teaching these subjects is being able to make these concepts meaningful and relevant to our students, especially considering that many of the processes and ideas being described are not visible to the naked eye. Technology can have a large role in overcoming this challenge, by giving excitement and life to these concepts.
Social Media (Twitter and Instagram)
What is it?There are many different forms of social media available today, but they all have the common goal of using technology to create online communities and allow people to share information, ideas, and media. This includes tools like Facebook, blogs, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc.
How can we use it in the classroom? The use of social media in schools has been very controversial due to privacy and safety concerns. However, there are many ways teachers can incorporate social media into the classroom in ways that are safe, responsible and beneficial to students. The key to using social media with students is ensuring the appropriate privacy settings are in place and setting clear expectations for students. Here are two approaches to using social media in the class.
Twitter allows people to share small amounts of information with all of their followers and the world. With an enormous variety of organizations, leaders, scientists, professionals, and everyday people, posting millions of tweets a day, there is a lot of ideas, opinions and updates available for students to learn about. However, students can also be a part of the online discussion by writing their own tweets, inspired by concepts learned in class. This activity encourages students to share their opinions, but also teaches them how to be concise. Students will benefit from this exercise even if the tweets are never posted on twitter and are instead simply shared with classmates.
Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites with high school students today and it too has applications in the classroom. Using Instagram, people can post photos and videos to display on their profile, while other users can comment on these posts. A class could create a collaborative private Instagram profile, where students could contribute photos and videos that are related to a specific topic. Creating this visual representation of a given concept as a community can help students further their understanding and/or make connections to everyday situations.
Google Earth
What is it? Google Earth is a virtual map of the entire planet created from satellite information and geographic information system (GIS) data. The program allows users to see the street view of cities, the topography of mountains, the underwater terrain of lakes and more. Google Earth has even expanded to include images of the moon and Mars.
How can we use it in the classroom? Watch the video below to learn about some of the ways you can use Google Earth in your classroom.
Social Media (Twitter and Instagram)
What is it?There are many different forms of social media available today, but they all have the common goal of using technology to create online communities and allow people to share information, ideas, and media. This includes tools like Facebook, blogs, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, Tumblr, etc.
How can we use it in the classroom? The use of social media in schools has been very controversial due to privacy and safety concerns. However, there are many ways teachers can incorporate social media into the classroom in ways that are safe, responsible and beneficial to students. The key to using social media with students is ensuring the appropriate privacy settings are in place and setting clear expectations for students. Here are two approaches to using social media in the class.
Twitter allows people to share small amounts of information with all of their followers and the world. With an enormous variety of organizations, leaders, scientists, professionals, and everyday people, posting millions of tweets a day, there is a lot of ideas, opinions and updates available for students to learn about. However, students can also be a part of the online discussion by writing their own tweets, inspired by concepts learned in class. This activity encourages students to share their opinions, but also teaches them how to be concise. Students will benefit from this exercise even if the tweets are never posted on twitter and are instead simply shared with classmates.
Instagram is one of the most popular social media sites with high school students today and it too has applications in the classroom. Using Instagram, people can post photos and videos to display on their profile, while other users can comment on these posts. A class could create a collaborative private Instagram profile, where students could contribute photos and videos that are related to a specific topic. Creating this visual representation of a given concept as a community can help students further their understanding and/or make connections to everyday situations.
Google Earth
What is it? Google Earth is a virtual map of the entire planet created from satellite information and geographic information system (GIS) data. The program allows users to see the street view of cities, the topography of mountains, the underwater terrain of lakes and more. Google Earth has even expanded to include images of the moon and Mars.
How can we use it in the classroom? Watch the video below to learn about some of the ways you can use Google Earth in your classroom.