E-Activity 4

1. What is problematic and how can I use ICT to change the situation for better?

I have already started teaching Physics with the help of using ICT in my school I have two periods a week of Physics with my class (Grade IX) and one period I take them to the Computer Laboratory.


In teaching Physics at times it is difficult to relate speed and acceleration therefore I advise my students to visit the site www.fearofphysics.com and click on visual physics and then select speed and acceleration, This selection allows the students to play with the position, velocity, and acceleration for two objects at the same time. They try to learn about these three motion properties by comparing differences in their two objects' motion, for differently selected properties.


So ICT has helped my students in understanding the basic concepts of speed and acceleration and has made the subject more interesting to learn.


Now the Science Project that I am working on with my students of grade VII is emphasized more on hypothesis, I have given my students a guideline in the form of a time-line that they need to follow


It consists of
Announcement by the teacher and grouping
Groups to be finalized
Making and finalizing hypothesis
Making and finalizing experimental design
Performing experiment
Typing a booklet and making charts
Students once when they have decided the topic will gather all information that they need through the net.


2. What are the strengths/ opportunities and weaknesses/ challenges for integrating ICT in this project?

Strengths/Opportunities:

Since the students will be working in groups of three, therefore it will help build a good understanding and relationship amongst peers.

It will give them an opportunity to visit various sites and gather information which will help develop their computer skills

Students will be giving an individual presentation which will give them self confidence and help them develop skills to express them selves.

Weaknesses/Challenges:

Students may have problems with slow internet speed or when the server is down etc

Since the students are working in groups it may be of a disadvantage to the introvert or a shy child who might find him or herself to get adjusted in the group.

Students are told to prepare chart/models which is of a disadvantage to those who do not have the potential of drawing or are skilled enough to come up with a model.

3. What steps will I need to take to implement the change?

Action

Provide guidelines with the help of timeline.
Forming groups
Making and finalizing hypothesis
Preparing an experimental design
Performing experiment
Typing a booklet
Making charts/models


Why

To develop various skills amongst students
Part of the curriculum


Who

Grade VII


When(dates + duration)

Second or third week of October 2007

Where

Karachi Grammar School-Middle Section-Saddar-Karachi.

Material Resources

Multimedia
Digital camera
Flash drives
USB/CD/floppy
Reference books
Internet

How will I monitor my own actions and the resulting change?

I will get some feedback from my colleagues also prepare a checklist and get follow up from my students as well
I will also compare the result from previous projects and draw a conclusion.
Through students self evaluation will also help me in knowing my findings.
I will be cautious of plagiarism and request my students to give bibliography or citation for all the information that they have gathered.