Wednesday, December 2
Online Science Labs
The other day my students used the school's laptops to complete several online labs. I would strongly encourage all science teachers (as well as other subject teachers) to look into online laboratories. Although I think there is something to be said for physically performing a lab, the computer based experiments were incredibly useful. The students seemed highly engaged and enjoyed being able to quickly change the variables and cover various labs. The company (the name escapes me at the moment) we used had every imaginable science laboratory you could think of. Students could analyze everything from quantum mechanics to stars and galaxies. Again, I strongly encourage anyone reading this to look into such a program, it will be worth your while.
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Except that simulations (certainly what the online labs are) misrepresent what science is. Students aren't doing scientific investigations. They're investigating equations.
ReplyDeleteDo not abandon your real world labs for simulations.
Lest any reader consider that I'm just an old grump regarding simulations, let me take a bit more time to explain.
ReplyDeleteReally well-done simulations can certainly be used to engage students in understanding science content. If integrated well into the course and prepared for, they do seem to result in gains in test scores. Students like two things, physical activity and computer interaction, far more than the usual classroom listening, reading, or even discussing.
Nevertheless, labs that involve investigating the real world add a necessary dimension to science classes. Without such opportunities, as many as you can manage, your students will have a one-dimensional and distorted view of science.
You absolutely must emphasize that a simulation is an artificially constructed model of the world and could be wrong in many ways. The data certainly are much more precise than real data are. However, they also fail in other ways to be an accurate model of reality. In order to avoid mistaken impressions of what science is, students must know that they're working with an possibly flawed implementation of someone's probably imperfect model of reality.
I also worry that simulations will crowd out true scientific investigations -- ones that use data from the real world. We cannot afford to lose these and must actually improve them so that they're not just validation exercises and technique development.
Hi Ben,
ReplyDeleteI think that while you wouldn't want to replace classroom labs with virtual ones, this can be a great thing for students to explore from time to time. I am amazed at how many things there are for students to do on the internet for every subject area. A few weeks ago my students did some fun verb practice on the laptops and we're so much more engaged than if we were doing it from a textbook. Technology is a wonderful addition to the classroom in my opinion!
Hey Ben!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Kendra that while there's no substitute for real-live tangible labs, integrating an online tool is a great idea. I'm very impressed that you've taken the ed tech plunge (I'm still resisting) and have found it useful!
I too think that it is really cool that you are using online labs in your class. I think that at the same time it is both important to do live, real-world labs, it is also important to show students just how technology can be incorporated in any subject as they are going to have to use it in just about any career they end up in.
ReplyDeleteI've gotten quite a few comments about this post and I think I should make something clear. I would never replace a real lab with an online one. I guess I didn't make myself clear in the post when I said "Although I think there is something to be said for physically performing a lab." However, I believe online labs can be used as great supplements. I highly encourage everyone to use hands on labs but consider using online labs as a useful tool.
ReplyDeleteHey Ben,
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of using virtual labs in addition to physical labs. If you think of the company that you used, please pass the info on
While I agree with all the above comments regarding labs, I think it's important to know that those virtual labs are available. My school's budget is so tight this year that a lot of labs have been cut (the on i'm most disappointed about having cut? the pig dissection-seriously) and the option of being able to have a virtual experience like that I think would be so valuable.
My students also did a online simulation of polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and other biotechnology the other day that not only showed them how the lab would be carried out, but a more detailed explanation/visual representation of the concepts behind the lab. It's pretty accurate/cool to see! Check it out: http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/index.html
Mr. Luster, I'm pretty sure the thing was called gizmos. And I didn't know you had a blog!
ReplyDelete