Instructional Module: Technology Integration in Math and Science

Integrating Technology Into Math and Science Resources


Math
PowerPoint® Presentation | Activities | Suggested Readings

Science
PowerPoint® Presentation | Activities | Suggested Readings

Math PowerPoint Presentation

Content:

This PowerPoint presentation introduces technology integration. It discusses the importance of technology integration, changes in teacher/student roles, and what components are needed for technology integration.

The presentation includes examples of classrooms integrating technology. It then asks for group participation.

Description:

1. The PowerPoint presentation consists of 13 slides. You can see this PowerPoint presentation online in your browser.

2. If you have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can download the PowerPoint file so you can actually show it as a PowerPoint presentation from your own computer in the classroom. If you download this PowerPoint file, you can make changes, insert your own course information, and use it as you would ANY PowerPoint.

Speaker Notes: Each slide in the downloaded and online versions contains Speaker Notes which you can use in class as lecture notes when you show the PowerPoint presentation.

3. If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can download PowerPoint Viewer® (Windows) or PowerPoint Viewer (Mac), which will allow you to share this presentation with an audience, but will not allow you to edit it in any way.

Uses:

1. You can use the html version, online, during class time if you have a computer and presentation system that has Internet access. Use it as you would any lecture presentation material.

2. You can download the PowerPoint file to your hard drive or CD-ROM for use on your laptop or classroom computer. You open and run the PowerPoint file just as you would any other PowerPoint presentation.

Math Activities

Activities -- Part 1

These activities introduce the participants to numerous educational Web sites that promote Internet use with all grade levels. It is not the intent to promote any particular Web site but rather to introduce ideas about how to integrate mathematics and technology into the classroom. In Activities -- Part 1, participants will explore Web sites that offer math challenges or particular math lessons, so that participants can get some idea of the range of sites that exist on the Web for engaging students in thinking about and applying math. If there is time, participants should be encouraged to research the Internet for other sites that address math topics and interests not expressed here and share those sites as well.

1. Explore and Discuss

Ask participants to form groups of two or three. Have them visit at least three of the following Web sites. (This first set of sites includes projects and activities that are already set up for immediate participation. The second set of sites includes destinations where a large number of links are collected from which teachers select and shape activities that address the curriculum goals for their own students.) Tell the participants to reflect on the following questions as they explore the individual sites.

National Math Trail Students develop math questions that address specifics in their own communities and submit them to the online collection. See more details at its Apple Learning Interchange Exhibit.

FIRST Robotics Competition High school students address an engineering challenge by building and programming a robot. This competition costs money to enter, but grant possibilities are provided.

FIRST LEGO League (Junior Robotics) Students build a robot to perform tasks on a given playing field. In 2003, the challenge was given to visit Mars and explore the planet with an idea of colonizing it.

ThinkQuest: Library of math sites Browse the library of math entries into the ThinkQuest contest to see what topics and particular entries your students will find intriguing.

Global SchoolNet Foundation: Dos Gotas de Agua (Two Drops of Water) In this project, middle and high school students in Patagonia, Concepcion, and Easter Island, Chile, explore local freshwater and marine ecosystems, and share what they have found. Other classes are invited to join the project.

Blue Web'n Math Browse this site's collection of math activities to see what would appeal to you and your students.

ALI: NASA Connect: The "Wright" Math Students will learn about the evolution of flight through hands-on and Web activities in this project that is co-sponsored by NASA.

ALI: Quilting and Geometry-Patterns for Living In this example of practical application of geometry and problem solving, teacher Jean Kriwox provides a detailed lesson, along with standards alignment, assessment, student work, reflections, resources, and more.

Eric Weisstein's MathWorld At this site, touted as "the web's most extensive mathematics resource," teachers and students will find a myriad of information on a large number of math topics, complete with diagrams, explanations, and links. See also Eric Weisstein's World of Physics.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics This comprehensive site presents online challenges for pre-K through high school students, using virtual manipulatives such as an abacus, geoboard, or attribute blocks to address topics in numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Information is provided for teachers and parents, and alignment to standards is given.

Plane Math At this site, students perform online activities that teach concepts of math and aeronautics.

The Mint With the intent of acquainting students with the importance of thinking about money management and the choices they make, this site provides lessons for teachers, hints for parents, and a lot of ideas for kids on topics such as spending, saving, earning, investing, and keeping track of what you have.

Math and music: Teaching Math with Music This 1998 publication lays out the solid arguments for incorporating math and music, and includes some activity ideas, along with standards alignment information. A simple demonstration of rhythm can be found in Build Your Own.

Prime Number Listening Guide At this page, a researcher at the University of Tennessee-Martin, provides an opportunity for students to "hear" prime numbers.

2. Record and Share

Have the individual participants choose a lesson or activity from one of the above sites. Ask them: "What made this lesson or activity one you would use with your students? What would you need to do to use this lesson or activity in your class? How would you prepare your students before you sent them to this site?"

3. Reflect

Ask participants to reflect upon what they saw and discussed. Have the participants journal their reflections. They might want to include answers to the following questions:

Ask for volunteers to share their thoughts.

Activities -- Part 2

These activities engage participants in exploring sites developed for educators that include links to curriculum and grade-specific lessons and other resources. We often call these "portal" sites because they provide links to many other sites on the Web. All of the sites contain lesson plans on math topics, as well as other resources for educators. The intent of this activity is to familiarize participants with these portals and what they contain in a setting where participants review a limited number of sites, and share their findings with colleagues. You may want to have participants fill out site review forms and share them with each other, so that all participants have copies of review for all sites listed.

1. Explore and Discuss

Ask participants to form groups of two or three. Have the group select three sites they would like to visit. Have each group member visit one site, taking extensive notes on what is available for elementary, middle, and high school classes. Have participants reflect on the following questions as they explore the individual sites.

Global SchoolNet Foundation At this Project Registry page, a simple or advanced search will get you to a number of projects that are available for class participation. You can also submit one of your own that invites other teachers and classes to join your class.

PBS Teacher Source At this page, select a grade range and math topic to search the database for lesson plans and activities.

WebQuests Designed by Dr. Bernie Dodge, WebQuests engage students in learning through identifying, exploring, and analyzing information on a topic found on the Internet. At the WebQuest Portal, teachers can click on Top, Middling, or New in the left margin of this page to get to matrices of WebQuests, organized by grade level and curriculum area.

Blue Web'n Sponsored by SBC, this site contains links to more than 1,800 learning sites, and is searchable by content area, subject area, and grade level.

ThinkQuest Library This site hosts a library of entries in the ThinkQuest Internet Challenge and the ThinkQuest Junior contest, in which students create Web sites in content areas for the purpose of teaching other students. Browsing the math area will yield a number of sites that will engage students in learning math concepts.

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators This site reveals a rich resource created and maintained by a library media director. By visiting the Lesson Plans Library, you can search for lessons by subject and grade level.

Education World Math Center At this site, users can access a variety of resources, including articles about math topics, lessons, and links to other math sites. An archive of lessons developed by teachers can also be found.

Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Math and Science Education This site features information, lessons, curriculum resources, and more.

Project SkyMath: Making Mathematical Connections Designed for middle school math teachers, this site presents information about and access to NASA's SkyMath activities.

Ohio Resource Center for Mathematics, Science, and Reading At this site, educators will find a wealth of resources. While geared to Ohio educators, math lessons (searchable by grade and topic) from around the world are categorized and linked from this site.

Ask Dr. Math At this Web site, teachers can pose questions to experts to help them demonstrate, explain, or pose challenges to their students on mathematical topics.

2. Record and Share

Have the individual participants choose a lesson or activity from one of the above sites. Ask them: "What made this lesson or activity one you would use with your students? What would you need to do to use this lesson or activity in your class? How would you prepare your students before you sent them to this site?"

3. Reflect

Ask participants to reflect upon what they saw and discussed. Have the participants journal their reflections. Ask volunteers to share their thoughts.

Math Suggested Readings

GLEF Articles and Videos:

External Links:

Recommended Texts:

Edutopia: Success Stories for Learning in the Digital Age
The George Lucas Educational Foundation
Published: May 2002 by Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Company
Copyright © 2002
ISBN: 0-7879-6082-9

Literacy in the Information Age: Inquiries into Meaning Making with New Technologies
Bertram C. Bruce, Editor
Published: 2003 by the International Reading Association, Inc.
Copyright © 2003
ISBN: 0-87207-003-4

Connecting Mathematics and Science to Workplace Contexts: A Guide to Curriculum Materials
Edward Britton, Mary Ann Huntley, Gloria Jacobs, and Amy Shulman Weinberg
Published: 1999 by Corwin Press, Inc.
Copyright © 1999
ISBN: 0-8039-6867-1 (paperback)
ISBN: 0-8039-6866-3 (hardcover)

Family Math II: Achieving Success in Mathematics
Grace Davila Coates and Virginia Thompson
Published: February, 2003 by EQUALS
Copyright © 2003
ISBN: 0-9125-1130-3

Spark Your Child's Success in Math and Science: Practical Advice for Parents
Jacqueline Barber, Nicole Parizeau, Lincoln Bergman, and Patricia Lima (illustrator)
Published: July, 2002 by GEMS Project
Copyright © 2002
ISBN: 0-9248-8671-4

Changing the Faces of Mathematics: Perspectives on Indigenous People in North America
Walter Secada
Published: National Council of Teachers of Mathematics
Copyright © 2002

Inspired by Standards: Math Teachers in Their Classrooms
Shelley Goldman, producer
Published: 2001 by WestEd
Copyright © 2001

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Science PowerPoint Presentation

Content:

This PowerPoint presentation introduces technology integration. It discusses the importance of science and technology integration, what components are needed for science and technology integration, and how science and technology integration might occur.

The presentation includes examples of classrooms integrating science and technology. It then asks for group participation.

Description:

1. The PowerPoint presentation consists of 13 slides. You can see this PowerPoint presentation online in your browser.

2. If you have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can download the PowerPoint file so you can actually show it as a PowerPoint presentation from your own computer in the classroom. If you download this PowerPoint file, you can make changes, insert your own course information, and use it as you would ANY PowerPoint.

Speaker Notes: Each slide in the downloaded and online versions contains Speaker Notes which you can use in class as lecture notes when you show the PowerPoint presentation.

3. If you do not have Microsoft PowerPoint, you can download PowerPoint Viewer® (Windows) or PowerPoint Viewer (Mac), which will allow you to share this presentation with an audience, but will not allow you to edit it in any way.

Uses:

1. You can use the html version, online, during class time if you have a computer and presentation system that has Internet access. Use it as you would any lecture presentation material.

2. You can download the PowerPoint file to your hard drive or CD-ROM for use on your laptop or classroom computer. You open and run the PowerPoint file just as you would any other PowerPoint presentation.

Science Activities

Activities -- Part 1

These activities introduce the participants to numerous educational Web sites that promote Internet use with all grade levels. It is not the intent to promote any particular Web site, but rather to introduce ideas about how to integrate science and technology into the classroom. In Activities -- Part 1, participants will explore Web sites that offer science challenges or particular science lessons, so that participants can get some idea of the range of sites that exist on the Web for engaging students in thinking about and applying science. If there is time, participants should be encouraged to research the Internet for other sites that address science topics and interests not expressed here and share those sites as well.

1. Explore and Discuss

Ask participants to form groups of two or three. Have them visit at least three of the following Web sites. (This first set of sites includes projects and activities that are already set up for immediate participation. The second set of sites includes destinations where a large number of links are collected from which teachers select and shape activities that address the curriculum goals for their own students.) Tell the participants to reflect on the following questions as they explore the individual sites.

Journey North: A Global Study of Wildlife Migration At this site, students and teachers can find out information about the yearly migration of such creatures as monarch butterflies, gray whales, whooping cranes, hummingbirds, and caribou. Classes can join others in tracking these creatures in their northern migration in the spring and their southern migration in the fall.

JASON Project The JASON Project engages students in projects conducted by scientists. A team of students actually accompanies the scientists, while classrooms across the country and beyond track their progress, suggest experiments, and share information.

Operation Ruby-Throat Operation Ruby-Throat: The Humming Bird Project is an initiative of Hilton Pond Center for Piedmont Natural History in York, South Carolina. According to the Web site, this unique project uses the Ruby-throated Hummingbird (Archilochus colubris) as a focal point for integrated studies of meteorology, environmental science, animal behavior, botany, and the physical sciences -- as well as math, language arts, geography, and other disciplines -- all aided by modern telecommunications and computer technology.

Bugscope This project provides students with remote access to scanning electron microscope in order to see insects at high magnification. Resources and links to other electron microscopy sites are provided.

Neuroscience for Kids This site teaches about the brain, provides links to activities and experiments, and references a great many resources. Take a look at the accompanying Brain Alphabet Web site.

Mail-an-Egg This lesson plan, from Tracy Trimpe's Science Spot site, challenges students to build a container in which they can mail a raw egg through the postal system.

Build a Toothpick Bridge At this Web site, students are challenged to a competition to design and build a bridge that will hold the greatest load out of toothpicks.

How Tattoos Work At the How Stuff Works site, there are a number of examples, with detailed information available for students to use in exploring a topic. Included in the How Tattoos Work site is information on the history of tattoos, early tattooing methods, the tattooing machine, pain, safe tattooing, and more.

The Hubble Telescope and Tracking Hubble After reviewing these Hubble Telescope sites, which contain a wealth of information on the Hubble Telescope Project, you may want your students to make their own. See the Hand-held Hubble site for specific instructions in making a model for under $20.

National Library of Virtual Manipulatives for Interactive Mathematics This comprehensive site presents online challenges for pre-K through high school students, using virtual manipulatives such as an abacus, geoboard, or attribute blocks to address topics in numbers and operations, algebra, geometry, measurement, and data analysis and probability. Information is provided for teachers and parents, and alignment to standards is given.

ThinkQuest: Library of science sites Browse the library of science entries into the ThinkQuest contest to see what topics and particular entries your students will find intriguing.

Global SchoolNet Foundation: TESAN (the endangered species and nature) Students in classrooms from around the world are invited to participate in this project to learn about and appreciate endangered species.

Global SchoolNet Foundation: Woodland Network This project invites 1st-grade through 12th-grade students from around the world to participate in three interactive projects (A Day in a Woodland, Just a Tree, and Research) through which they collect, interpret, and share data on woodland areas.

Blue Web'n Science Browse this site's collection of science activities to see what would appeal to you and your students.

ALI: NASA Connect: Festival of Flight Special: Opening Space for Next Generation Explorers In this Virtual Field Trip, students will "apply their problem-solving skills by using statistical data and mathematical modeling to determine the optimum propellant ratio for best vehicle performance of a chemical reaction rocket (CR2)."

ALI: Incorporating Technology into the Scientific Method Developed by high school science teacher Susie Stevens, students will engage in developing scientific investigations which include analyzing data, creating and interpreting graphs, and communicating their findings.

Space Day Students in grades 4 through 8 participate in design challenges that provide opportunities for collaboration while solving problems that challenge real-life space scientists.

2. Record and Share

Have the individual participants choose a lesson or activity from one of the above sites. Ask them: "What made this lesson or activity one you would use with your students? What would you need to do to use this lesson or activity in your class? How would you prepare your students before you sent them to this site?"

3. Reflect

Ask participants to reflect upon what they saw and discussed. Have the participants journal their reflections. They might want to include answers to the following questions:

Ask for volunteers to share their thoughts.

Activities -- Part 2

These activities engage participants in exploring sites developed for educators that include links to curriculum and grade-specific lessons and other resources. We often call these "portal" sites because they provide links to many other sites on the Web. All of the sites contain lesson plans on science topics, as well as other resources for educators. The intent of this activity is to familiarize participants with these portals and what they contain in a setting where participants review a limited number of sites, and share their findings with colleagues. You may want to have participants fill out site review forms and share them with each other, so that all participants have copies of review for all sites listed.

1. Explore and Discuss

Ask participants to form groups of two or three. Have the group select three sites they would like to visit. Have each group member visit one site, taking extensive notes on what is available for elementary, middle, and high school classes. Have participants reflect on the following questions as they explore the individual sites.

Global SchoolNet Foundation At this Project Registry page, a simple or advanced search will get you to a number of projects that are available for class participation. You can also submit one of your own that invites other teachers and classes to join your class.

PBS Teacher Source At this page, select a grade range and science topic to search the database for lesson plans and activities.

Changing the Face of Medicine This site includes lessons for K-2, 3-4, 5-8, and 9-12, as well as some interactive online activities using Flash.

WebQuests Designed by Dr. Bernie Dodge, WebQuests engage students in learning through identifying, exploring, and analyzing information on a topic found on the Internet. At the WebQuest Portal, teachers can click on Top, Middling, or New in the left margin of this page to get to matrices of WebQuests, organized by grade level and curriculum area.

Blue Web'n Sponsored by SBC, this site contains links to more than 1,800 learning sites, and is searchable by content area, subject area, and grade level.

ThinkQuest Library This site hosts a library of entries in the ThinkQuest Internet Challenge and the ThinkQuest Junior contest, in which students create Web sites in content areas for the purpose of teaching other students. Browsing the science area will yield a number of sites that will engage students in learning science concepts.

Kathy Schrock's Guide for Educators This site reveals a rich resource created and maintained by a library media director. By visiting the Lesson Plans Library, you can search for lessons by subject and grade level.

Education World Science Center At this site, users can access a variety of resources, including lessons and other science sites.

Eisenhower National Clearinghouse for Math and Science Education This site features information, lessons, curriculum resources, and more.

Ohio Resource Center for Mathematics, Science, and Reading At this site, educators will find a wealth of resources. While geared to Ohio educators, science lessons (searchable by grade and topic) from around the world are categorized and linked from this site.

The Science Spot Illinois educator Mrs. Tracy Trimpe has created a wonderful science resource, including links to lessons, projects, puzzles, daily science trivia ideas, a reference section, and a section called The Idea Factory where teachers share teaching tips.

Ology Developed by the American Museum of Natural History, this site provides information on a variety of science topics, including biodiversity, astronomy, archaeology, genetics, and paleontology.

Pitsco Innovative Education At this site, you will find 32 examples of science competitions, including weather prediction, paper airplanes, egg drop vehicles, and e-circuits.

Pitsco's Ask an Expert At this site, students can submit e-mail questions to experts in hundreds of fields. Science and technology experts include a geologist, a forensic scientist, a plasma physicist, a solar car expert, a volcano expert, and a terrarium guru.

How Stuff Works At this site, information on how stuff works abounds, including computers, electronics, autos, science, home, entertainment, money, health, travel, and people stuff.

2. Record and Share

Have the individual participants choose a lesson or activity from one of the sites. Ask them: "What made this lesson or activity one you would use with your students? What would you need to do to use this lesson or activity in your class? How would you prepare your students before you sent them to this site?"

3. Reflect

Ask participants to reflect upon what they saw and discussed. Have the participants journal their reflections. Ask volunteers to share their thoughts.

Science Suggested Readings

GLEF Articles and Videos:

External Links:

Recommended Texts:

Edutopia: Success Stories for Learning in the Digital Age
The George Lucas Educational Foundation
Published: May 2002 by Jossey-Bass, A Wiley Company
Copyright © 2002
ISBN: 0-7879-6082-9

Literacy in the Information Age: Inquiries into Meaning Making with New Technologies
Bertram C. Bruce, Editor
Published: 2003 by the International Reading Association, Inc.
Copyright © 2003
ISBN: 0-87207-003-4

Connecting Mathematics and Science to Workplace Contexts: A Guide to Curriculum Materials
Edward Britton, Mary Ann Huntley, Gloria Jacobs, and Amy Shulman Weinberg
Published: 1999 by Corwin Press, Inc.
Copyright © 1999
ISBN: 0-8039-6867-1 (paperback)
ISBN: 0-8039-6866-3 (hardcover)

Square Wheels and Other Easy-to-Build Hands-On Science Activities
Don Rathjen, Peter Doherty, The Exploratorium Teacher Institute, and Esther Kutnick (Illustrator)
Published: 2002 by Exploratorium Store
Copyright © 2002
ISBN: 0-9434-5155-8

Spark Your Child's Success in Math and Science: Practical Advice for Parents
Jacqueline Barber, Nicole Parizeau, Lincoln Bergman, and Patricia Lima (illustrator)
Published: July, 2002 by GEMS Project
Copyright © 2002
ISBN: 0-9248-8671-4

Weaving Science Inquiry and Continuous Assessment: Using Formative Assessment to Improve Learning
Maura O'Brien Carlson, Gregg E. Humphrey, Karen S. Reinhardt
Published: April 2003 by Corwin Press
Copyright © 2003
ISBN: 0-7619-4590-3

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