Technology in the Science/Mathematics Classroom

Rebekah K. Nix, Ph.D.Senior Lecturer, Teacher Development Center

The University of Texas at Dallas

Research Fellow, Science/Mathematics Education CentreCurtin University of Technology

2009

• New educational uses for cellphones• Teaching with games and simulations• Virtual field trips• Online learning opportunities for struggling students• Tips for locating valuable online tools for the classroom• Using collegial networks to see how technology can generate

practical teaching ideas• Rural community initiatives to integrate video iPods,

computer games, and wireless technologies on school buses

Information overload…• Learning Environments Research• Teaching Educational Technology• Resource Links

My journey to date…

‘97 Science educators online…

‘99 Training at TeleCampus…

‘00 Field trips online…‘02 Merging theory and practice…

‘02 Keeping up with ‘IT’…

‘04 Taking them to the top!

‘05 Maintaining a balance…

‘05 Taking them to the top – again!

‘06 Realizing the potential…

‘08 Ed Tech redesign…

Learning Environments Research

• Refers “to the social, physical, psychological, and pedagogical contexts in which learning occurs and which affect student achievement and attitudes” (Fraser, 1998)– Is the class dominated by the teacher

or is it student-centered? – Do students actively participate in class

or sit and listen? – Do students cooperate and discuss with

each other or do they work alone? – Is the teacher supportive and approachable?

CLES: Educational Reform in Science

CLES: Pedagogical Aspects of ICT

Scalability of LER

• School orClassroom level

• Class or Personal view• Actual or Preferred form

Ed Tech learning environment

• Attitude• toward your subject area and technology,

• Knowledge• about your subject area and technology,

• Experience• with your subject area and technology (what works),

• Hardware • for your subject area and technology (what they

have/need)• Support• ideas/tips for integrating your subject area and

technology.

New Technologies & You

• I like being more available to others because of cell phones and other mobile devices.

• When I hear about a new technology or a new electronic device, I want to try it right away.

• When I get a new electronic device, someone else usually has to set it up or show me how to use it.

• I am more productive because of the eDevices that I use. • Using a variety of electronic devices• improves my ability to do my job. • improves my ability to learn more.• improves my ability to keep in touch with friends and family.• improves my ability to work with others.

Survey Results

Technology in the Science/Mathematics Classroom

Rebekah K. Nix, Ph.D.Senior Lecturer, Teacher Development Center

The University of Texas at Dallas

Research Fellow, Science/Mathematics Education CentreCurtin University of Technology

Keeping Pace or Setting the Pace?

Community Juggling

Technologies EducatorsShould Watch in 2010

• Jing screen capture• BT-1 Bluetooth Web Cam• Photo Booth editing• Poll Everywhere• Prezi presentation tool• Etherpad collaboration• Orbicule Undercover• TripIt intinerary tool• Evernote syncing• Twitter Widgets• Netbooks• Flip Cameras• Zamzar file converter• SlideRocket presenter

• BrightLink interactive projector

Community Juggling

www.utd.edu/~rnix

Repositories

Innovations inOnline K-12 Teaching and Learning

• Social software• blogs, wikis, social networking sites, conferencing tools, and

social bookmarking site• Games and simulations

• can positively motivate students to learn and can encourage and support both teaching and learning

• Interactive learning environments• personal learning environments and virtual worlds like Second

Life or Activeworlds EDU• Delivery mechanisms

• MP3 players, cellphones, web-based mobile devices like iPhones and Blackberries, iTouches, and other personal electronic devices

Online Laboratory Science:An Update on Policy, Research, and Practice

Keeping Pacewith K-12 Online Learning

• District-level courses and programs are an emerging area of online education activity as districts work with, and respond to, state virtual schools and other statewide online programs.

States with a state virtual school or online initiative, full-time online schools, or both.

HippoCampus

Learning and Technology

March 2009. Where eLearning is Coming From. Ellen Wagner and Beth Davis. Sage Road Solutions, LLC

A Never-Ending Adoption Curve

Lessons eLearned1. None of us can DO learning to another human

being - even though we talk about it all of the time! It is a deeply personal act facilitated when experiences are relevant, authentic, and engaging.

2. Different kinds of learning demand appropriate strategies, tools and resources. There is not such thing as a 'one size fits all' technology solution for learning.

3. Technology doesn't necessarily guarantee better learning... BUT, it can focus attention, give people a chance to participate, and to develop a personal relationship with information that maybe we never realized before.

4. The better the experience, the greater the likelihood that learning will occur. Leveraging the technologies that we have available to us, that you use every day, can have a direct positive effect on learning.

Dr. Ellen Wagner

Gowin’s Vee Heuristic

Support

• Campus IT person• Educational and

Technology Grants• Vetted Websites• Scholarly Research• Professional Development

and peer networking• Your passion!

Setting the Pace!

www.utd.edu/~rnix rnix@utd.eduRebekah K. Nix, Ph.D.