Science: Using the Internet to Support Scientific Thinking

Chapter 7

Teaching with the Internet K – 12: New Literacies for New Times
Leu, Leu, and Coiro

Briefly identify key ideas and make connections to your own Literacies or teachings.

I finally discovered the ~ “tilde” sign on my keyboard so was able to look up the Chapter Seven Science Website for “Teaching on the Internet”. This will definitely speed up my Web search processes.

Leu, Leu, and Coiro wanted us to locate a favorite directory for Science. The first directory that was useable for me was Whelmers where I located a fun activity called “Pretzel Predictions Project”. Students are challenged to guess how many pretzels they can eat in a minute. It is an inquiry based science project.

The other directory site listed that I liked was from the British Broadcasting Service. At this location, I found specific lessons available on science from life cycles, keeping healthy, gases around, to electricity plus many others. These sites are for different age levels. Quizzes were available to take immediately after the lesson. This is a good challenge for any child.

The two internet projects that I found particularly interesting were on seeds and the Monarch Butterfly. On Kidslink Kidspace seeds, I was able to bring up a project regarding the Power of the Seeds in Your Region. Questions included the seed name, the seed scientific name, where it grows, how it spreads, how it is used, and the cultural significance. To participate in the project you need a scanner and a camera. A time line was given for participating in this project. A target age was listed also. Additional information was given. Then at the bottom of the page, the article displayed the steps to join this project.

The second Internet Project was the Monarch Butterfly. The research project that I thought helpful was the tagging of these butterflies. Exact details were given regarding tagging the butterflies. Also, tagging kits are available. Lots of additional information was given plus when and where to look for them. Many pictures of the pupa, the larva, milkweed, and the butterfly were available. Articles written by students and classes were listed.

The Webquest Information that could be used for our class would be the “Conflict - Yellowstone Wolves”. The other one I particularly desired was the Amazing Space – “Tonight’s Sky” from the Blue Web’n – Blue Ribbon sites from AT & T. This media show was exemplary in naming the specific planets and in showing the Zodiac signs. Additional interesting information was given especially about the Vernal Equinox March 20 with the sun coming up in the exact East and setting in the exact West.

I reviewed the meaning of “student to student” activities. The student identifies an online location related to his project. Next he prepares a learning experience for other students to complete at Websites. He could use the format of KWL. Prior to the student to student, he was to have done the Internet Inquiry. This is developing a question, searching for information, evaluating the information, composing answer, and sharing the answer.

Since it had been a while since I had read the fourth grade Science Standards and Benchmarks, I looked at the school district’s curriculum site and printed that information so that I could study it more.

This was another great Chapter to help in teaching modern Literacies.