Chapter 11

Technology in Math and Science Instruction

1)Math

Virtual Manipulatives- students work with simulated objects for activities that used to involve real manipulatives.

Some mathematical problem solving can take the form of a game--For ex. Zoombini's Logical Journey involves logic, data analysis, graphing and algebra.

Students need to learn math using symbols, words, graphs and numbers.

"Internet resources can help students make connections between abstract geometry and real objects..."

Students must be able to express their mathematical ideas in words.

Basic/Fundamental math skills can be practiced through software such as Early Math and Science or Boxer Math.

2)Science

Elementary teachers often lack the depth of knowledge necessary to teach science well.

Strategies for integrating technology into science
Data collection
Scientific Inquiry
Authentic science experiments
Assessing science info and tools

Simulations can make hard to grasp concepts easier, ex, mixing colors or combining chemicals and seeing a simulated result. Cost less and are safer than actual experiments.

The latest information in science is much easier to get via the Internet.

The National Science Foundation has funded digital libraries for science-used for research and info re scientific questions and issues.

Website Resources
Calculatorhttp://www.calculator.comThis site houses a vast collection of calculators and converters.

BrainPophttp://www.brainpop.comBrainPOP produces educational animated movies for grades K-12 to explain concepts in a voice and visual style that is accessible and entertaining.

National Library of Virtual Manipulativeshttp://www.shodor.orgShodor Education Foundation advances science and math education through the use of computational science, modeling, and technology.

Manipula Math with Javahttp://www.ies.co.jp/math/java/index.htmlThe interactive programs presented on the site is designed to help middle school students, high school students, and college students understand mathematical ideas.
Science and Math Dynamic Linkshttp://faculty.ccc.edu/tr-scimath/intro.htmThe educational applets provided at the sites in this collection are used for many purposes. They may be run as stand-alone demonstrations, virtual lab activities, warm-ups, or as homework assignments.

U.S. Censushttp://www.census.govThe Census Bureau serves as the leading source of quality data about the nation's people and economy.

StatCrunchhttp://www.statcrunch.comStatCrunch is statistical software for data analysis on the Web.

Math Forum Dr. Mathhttp://mathforum.org/dr.math/The Dr. Math site allows users to ask questions of a mathematician and to view archives of past questions.
Math Forum Problem of the Weekhttp://mathforum.org/powThe Math Forum's Problems of the Week (PoWs) are designed to provide creative, non-routine challenges for students in grades three through twelve.

Boxer Mathhttp://www.boxermath.comThe Boxer Math curriculum covers Math Fundamentals, Pre-Algebra, Algebra I and II, Geometry, and Trigonometry.

Waterford Early Science and Mathhttp://www.pearsondigital.comWaterford Early Math and ScienceTM is a comprehensive, research-based curriculum that gives students a foundation in basic math and science skills.

Zoombinishttp://www.riverdeep.net/products/zoombinis/index.jhtmlThe Zoombinis software program builds and strengthens reasoning and mathematical communication skills.

Thinkin' Thingshttp://www.riverdeep.net/products/thinkin_things/index.jhtmlChildren create rhythmic compositions, explore two-dimensional and three-dimensional shapes, and much more in Thinkin' Things software.
KaleidoManiahttp://www.keypress.com/catalog/products/software/Prod_KaleidoMania.htmlKaleidoMania! is a software tool for dynamically creating and analyzing symmetric designs and for exploring the mathematics of symmetry.

Mathematics Problem Solvinghttp://www.keypress.com/catalog/products/software/Prod_Fathom.htmlFathom gives students the power to gather, explore, and graphically analyze data in depth, and to understand concepts in mathematics and statistics.

Spreadsheet for solving what-if problemshttp://curry.edschool.virginia.edu/teacherlink/content/math/activities/ex-mmnumericalIn this investigation, students collect, organize, and analyze color data from individual sized bags of plain M&M's as an introduction to the calculation capabilities of a spreadsheet.

MathWorldhttp://mathworld.wolfram.comMathWorld is a comprehensive and interactive mathematics encyclopedia intended for students, educators, math enthusiasts, and researchers.

PBS Mathlinehttp://www.pbs.org/teachersource/math.htmPBS TeacherSource offers thousands of lesson plans and activities in all academic content areas.

Eisenhower National ClearinghousegoENC.comThis subscription site identifies curriculum resources, creates professional development materials, and disseminates information and products to improve K-12 mathematics and science teaching and learning.

GLOBE Projecthttp://www.globe.govGLOBE is a worldwide, hands-on, primary and secondary school-based education and science program.

NASAhttp://www.nasa.govThe National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) is the government agency responsible for the space program and long-term general aerospace research.

Jason Projecthttp://www.jason.orgThe JASON Foundation for Education has the mission to inspire in students a life-long passion for learning in science, math, and technology through hands-on, real-world scientific discovery.

Archimedes Laboratoryhttp://www.archimedes-lab.org/index_optical.htmlThis site is an index of activities for learning about optical illusions.

Journey North Projecthttp://www.learner.org/jnorthJourney North is a global study of wildlife migration and seasonal change.

RedRover Goes to Marshttp://planetary.org/rrgtmRed Rover Goes to Mars, is the first privately funded educational experiment to fly on a planetary mission. It was made possible by members of The Planetary Society.

Web-based Chemistry Simulationshttp://cse.edc.org/products/simulations/default.aspThis Web site provides teachers with links to chemistry simulations, organized by standard.

Drinking Water Projecthttp://www.peacecorps.gov/wws/research/water/index.htmlThis online research module will guide users through the steps to research and present findings about access to safe drinking water in a community in Ghana, West Africa. It uses questioning, problem solving, critical thinking, and technology skills and is intended for middle and high school students.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) http://www.noaa.govThe National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) conducts research and gathers data about the global oceans, atmosphere, space, and sun, and applies this knowledge to science and services.
National Institutes of Healthhttp://www.nih.govThe National Institutes of Health is one of the world's foremost medical research centers, and the federal focal point for medical research in the United States.

Exploring the Environment Curriculumhttp://www.cotf.edu/eteThe ETE online series, which features an integrated approach to environmental earth science through modules and activities, is developed at the NASA Classroom of the FutureTM at Wheeling Jesuit University.

Exploratoriumhttp://www.exploratorium.orgOnline since 1993, the Exploratorium was one of the first science museums to build a site on the World Wide Web. The site now contains over 15,000 Web pages exploring hundreds of different topics.

Chemical Mixing Simulationshttp://www.chemsoc.orgChemsoc is a site for chemists and the home of the Royal Society of Chemistry's electronic network.

NASA's Center for Distance Learninghttp://dlcenter.larc.nasa.govNASA's Center for Distance Learning enhances grade K-16 curriculums by providing educators with FREE multimedia instructional programs.