Science Teacher Training
in an Information Society
Teaching with computer models
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Science Teacher Training
in an Information Society
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Workshop 1
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StoriesA I think that computer simulations are a very powerful learning tool because pupils are motivated by using computers. So, if they are learning science on a computer that will make the experience more enjoyable and will help them to concentrate better. Pupils are using all this new technology when they are at home, so we need to be able to provide them with similar experiences in school if we are going to keep their interest. B I’m not always convinced that pupils are learning science effectively on a computer, because they need a certain level of competence at the computer skills before they can concentrate on the science. I’m thinking in particular of when they use a spreadsheet, as I need to teach them a lot of skills about how to use the program, though this is now less of a problem than it used to be. C I think that computer simulations are very useful for making things memorable for pupils. In that sense, they are a bit like practical work. When pupils read something in a textbook, they are likely to forget it. But if they see a computer simulation of something, then they are much more likely to remember it, and to be able to write about it later. I think that this visual memory is very powerful, which is why I would be reluctant to let pupils build their own computer models. I would be worried that this might just reinforce ‘wrong knowledge’. D I don’t think that pupils are necessarily motivated to do work on computers, and I wouldn’t see that ‘having fun’ is a particular goal that we should be encouraging. However, I think that some of the best learning that I’ve seen is when pupils have been using computer models. Trying to predict and interpret the behaviour of a model when it is run is quite intellectually demanding. When they are really engaged in this I think they learn a lot. E I think that it is important for pupils to make their own models as well as using simulations that have already been constructed. They need to be able to understand how models work and they can only do this if they have made them for themselves. I think that they learn a lot from the process of building their own model, as it involves a lot of testing and debugging, and I think that they learn a lot from their mistakes. F When they are working with computer simulations and models, pupils are much more actively engaged than when they are doing other kinds of tasks. So, I feel less in need of ‘being a teacher’ and can allow them to get on with their work more independently, because in a sense it is now the computer that is making them think. |
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