How Is Education Changing Technology? Essay Example

of innovative products and improvements to existing ones. A notable revelation was from Alphasmart, Inc., announcing their forthcoming launch of the Neo - a portable note-taking device. Expect more information on this exciting tool within this issue.

Also, Tom Snyder has recently launched two new programs that may be of interest to readers of Inclusion Times. These programs, called Thinking Reader and Scholastic Keys, will be reviewed in an upcoming issue of the publication. Both programs are suitable for the students we work with. Additionally, Crick Software has announced the release of ClozePro, which is an application that allows teachers to create engaging cloze activities on the computer. As more special needs students are spending most of their time in mainstream classrooms, I have been searching for assistive technology solutions in the areas of Science, Math, and Social Studies.

In order to provide enhanced support for students in classrooms, it became clear that we needed to extend our resources and delve into the use of software tools. These devices can present educators with creative teaching methods and give students the opportunity to get practical experience with their studies. In the preceding spring, I began exploring options that could improve Science education. When these tools were presented to Science teachers, it was evident that both hardware and software applications significantly aided students who have special needs.

This publication delves into the application of Science tools in educational contexts to cater for diverse student requirements. I'm hopeful that you'll find this niche subject enlightening, and I'm keen on receiving your feedback about it. As always, I wish you a prosperous forthcoming academic year and

eagerly anticipate your correspondence. You can contact me at [email protected] at any given time. Best wishes, Brian Advancing the Landscape of Science Education... progresses In compliance with the Federal mandate to offer the Least Restrictive Environment, an increased number of students are now benefiting from assistance in essential scholarly subjects.

In the months of September and October 2004, it's vital for special education instructors to bolster their backing for Science. This article will explore creative and innovative resources that can augment science curriculum, offering essential tools to these teachers in helping students with specific needs. As specialists in assistive technology and special education, we are continually looking for resources, from rudimentary to high-tech ones, which could benefit our pupils.

It's crucial to comprehend the significance of offering our students multi-sensory experiences. Equally important is ensuring they have access to essential resources. Recently, I've been investigating a variety of scientific tools that could be advantageous in our field of study. These devices help students visually interpret data that was formerly challenging to grasp. They stimulate student involvement in hypothesizing, collecting data, and analyzing outcomes. In my opinion, these resources and apparatuses are invaluable for our learners and it's imperative to share them with you.

Over the past half-century, Science has witnessed remarkable strides, largely backed by advancements in computer technology. This progress has paved the way for new scientific breakthroughs and increased understanding through enhanced data measurement and analysis techniques that were once deemed unattainable. Similarly, today's students heavily count on modern technology and resources to boost their learning experience. Nonetheless, there is a prevalent misconception among many students who regard Science as

merely memorizing facts.

Contrary to the belief that there could be nothing further from the truth, it's crucial for students to actively participate in questioning, observing and analyzing science. How can their viewpoints and attitudes towards science be altered? One method is by offering them an increased number of hands-on experiences within their science classes. Lately, I've been involved with a tool referred to as "probeware" in scientific texts. Essentially, probeware is a sensor or probe that can link to a computer, standalone device or PDA to document events in real-time.

A temperature sensor can be linked to a computer for real-time data collection and measurement of fluid or air temperatures. The software installed on the computer allows students to graphically capture, record, and save the data for further analysis. This device enables students to gather, evaluate, and share their observations with their classmates utilizing the computer as an analytical tool.

The National Assessment of Educational Progress indicated in its 2000 Science Assessment that high school seniors who often used computers for tasks such as gathering, investigating, downloading, and interpreting data attained superior results on the Science test than their counterparts who did not participate in these exercises (NAEP, 2000, Science Assessment). It's crucial to offer students the chance to leverage these tools as it presents an extra strategy to stimulate and reinforce conceptual growth in scientific areas. The subsequent segment of this article will showcase a selection of available resources that can be employed to kick-start the application of probes in your educational spaces.

When you and your students begin utilizing probes for learning, their excitement for Science education will

undeniably shine through in a practical way! Vernier, a firm renowned for its unique Science resources designed for teachers, has recently launched an affordable temperature probe named Go! Temp. This device can be easily plugged into the USB port of either Macintosh or Windows computers. In addition to Go! Temp, you'll receive a complimentary copy of Logger Lite - an intuitive software that captures real-time temperature readings from the probe. Operating Go! Temp is straightforward; simply connect the sensor, launch Logger Lite and hit the Collect icon. The measured temperature will subsequently be charted onscreen. Students have options to view it as an analog thermometer reading, digital data or as numerals on a dial interface. Accessibility features include screen adjustment capabilities to magnify the display aiding visually impaired students.

Students with fine-motor difficulties will have an easier time holding the Go! Temp probe, as it is less fragile compared to a glass thermometer. Once the data is recorded, students can utilize various tools within the Logger Lite software to analyze the graph. This includes examining data points, making predictions, calculating statistics, and completing lab reports directly in Logger Lite. Logger Lite is a user-friendly and powerful application that teachers will appreciate.

When a temperature probe is plugged in, Logger Lite will automatically detect it and allow for quick data recording. Teachers with limited funds will appreciate that Go! Temp is priced at only $39. Vernier has created a curriculum guide called Let’s Go! Investigating Temperature for grades 2 through 5 that can be used with Go! Temp. This guide provides 10 complete lesson plans and activities that can be implemented in the classroom.

Logger Lite includes all ten lessons, enabling students to promptly formulate hypotheses, gather data, and analyze their findings.

The technology delivers significant time savings and the supplied labs are systematically arranged. The labs feature instructor manuals and student handouts in PDF form. Several of the labs cover areas like understanding why thermometers are crucial, distinguishing between Celsius and Fahrenheit, observing the reaction between baking soda and vinegar, as well as designing a personal thermos. When students use Go! Temp, there is an obvious rise in their engagement level, enthusiasm, and interest as they actively engage in lab work.

There are numerous ways to utilize Go! Temp in your curriculum. Additionally, it serves as a valuable tool for teachers who wish to demonstrate concepts or conduct classroom lessons using a projector or interactive whiteboard connected to their computers. While Go! Temp introduces you to the world of probeware in the classroom, you can expand your options beyond temperature data collection through Vernier's release of Go! Link. This affordable USB interface enables connection of one of 36 Vernier sensors to your Windows or Macintosh computer.

Plug your Go! Link into your USB port and attach sensors to collect data such as light, sound, pH, magnetic field, barometric pressure, and conductivity. Go! Link comes with a free copy of Logger Lite. This software automatically detects the attached probe and sets up the program to collect data. Students can easily collect and analyze the data with Logger Lite.

Logger Lite provides a suitable platform for students to document their observations. Each data collection file can contain multiple pages, which can be formatted as a word

processor. By clicking on the Page icon, students can seamlessly transition from the graph to the word processor page. This integration of data and graphs within the same file simplifies the process for students who struggle with switching between different applications. Additionally, Go! Link offers students the opportunity to visually explore scientific phenomena that were previously inaccessible without the emergence of computers.

For those aiming to integrate computer technology into their Science curriculum, Pasco (www.pasco.com) provides an excellent option. They've recently launched a product named 'Changing the Face of Science Education... continued', compatible with the Xplorer device. Similar in size to a large Palm device, this handheld tool can accommodate various sensors and Multimeasure probes. The key feature of its compact LCD screen is its ability to simultaneously record multiple events.

Designed to help students collect weather data, the Weather Sensor is powered exclusively by four AA batteries. It's made from a robust Polycarbonate material that can withstand the daily usage of students performing weather station experiments. Moreover, students can use this sensor to document diverse weather metrics like barometric pressure, humidity, temperature and dew point. The Xplorer, which may be bought with Multi-Measure sensors, has a sturdy sensor mount at its top where these additional sensors can be attached.

With the utilization of the Science Sleuth Kit, pupils can simultaneously measure temperature, light, and sound using Multilect data in conjunction with the Xplorer. The process is simple; just connect the Measure Sensor to the USB port, fix a sensor to it, and initiate data collection by pressing Start on DataStudio. This action will start gathering and charting data. For budget-conscious schools

keen on introducing Xplorer, initiating its use is quite straightforward.

When using probeware, the Xplorer commences recording. It's advised to monitor the real-time information closely. Halt data collection by simply hitting the Start button on the Pasco USB Link. This cost-effective interface can be plugged into your Mac or PC's USB port, enabling you to examine the gathered data through a 2 line LCD display. The MultiMeasure Sensor facilitates easy collection of diverse sensor data including ambient temperature, sound level and light intensity for students. When a computer is accessible and not required, USB Link proves to be an optimal tool.

Purchasing a stainless steel temperature probe enables data collection. This device is useful for measuring the temperature of different materials, including water, soil, and various liquids. Another handy tool that can be used is the Onset Computer HOBO datalogger which has a compact design similar to a matchbox. This gadget operates on batteries and can be connected via a USB port. When linked, it activates software programs from Onset Corporation like EZScreen Software, Xplorer Sound Level, and DataStudio to assist users in retrieving stored data.

By clicking "yes," all record and time stamp conditions such as temperature, humidity, and light intensity are graphed for you within seconds. There are numerous ways to customize and annotate the graph with the HOBO data logger. Unlike other discussed probes, the HOBO data logger works differently and is a full-featured graphing program that works in conjunction with the Xplorer. To use the HOBO data logger, you initially attach it to your computer and utilize the accompanying software. Depending on your requirements, the Xplorer comes with

a free version of DataStudio Lite.

Should you require additional functionalities, you have the option to buy the comprehensive version of DataStudio compatible with Windows and Macintosh OS. Xplorer is an extremely adaptable data collection tool that provides students the liberty to document their findings remotely from a computer. Several sensors, which will be discussed further on page 7 in September/October 2004 issue, can be used. Videostreaming – A Revolutionary Approach to Utilizing Video in Educational Settings By Brian S. Friedlander, Ph.D., presents a new perspective. Not so long ago, employing an educational video in your teaching environment involved obtaining a requisition form from the main office, completing it and submitting it to the Audio Visual Services Department. Prior to this process however, one had to navigate through the extensive and cumbersome AVA Directory and ensure that completed Requisition Form was submitted before it was collected by the courier.

Once you've completed these steps, the expectation would be that everything operates flawlessly in preparation for your meticulously planned lesson. Yet, the realm of educational and instructional videos has seen drastic transformations in recent years due to advancements in internet connectivity. Over the past year, my collaboration with various schools has been aimed at illustrating how they can integrate instructional videos into their teaching environments through a revolutionary service known as video streaming offered by United Learning.

With a speedy internet connection and a subscription to United Learning, educators can now browse and stream videos from their collection. Rather than viewing the full video, United Learning provides the choice to access more pertinent short segments for lessons. Streaming these brief video parts is

an excellent method to engage students and encourage classroom conversations.

United Learning caters to the specific needs of teachers by ensuring all videos align with the State's Core Curriculum Standards for easy reference. Some videos are equipped with blackline masters and video quizzes, designed specifically for educators and students alike. This acts as a vital resource enabling teachers to enhance their curriculum further. Upon subscription, teachers have the flexibility to download either the entire video or select segments onto their computers.

This is a useful feature I suggest using in case your network fails and you have planned a lesson with video streaming. You can also insert downloaded videos into Powerpoint or Microsoft Word. United Learning's video library is expanding and was recently acquired by the Discovery Learning Company, so more high-quality educational videos will be added. United Learning estimates that their collection contains over 2,000 videos.

United Learning has recently absorbed AIMS Digital Curriculum, a prior rival in the video streaming sector. This merger will lead to an expanded availability of media content over time. Furthermore, United Learning provides a digital image library which teachers can use to find specific pictures for their presentations. These services are particularly important for our students, especially those with special needs who often gain from varied sensory learning experiences. By offering access to high-quality educational videos, we can more effectively support them in achieving their goals and objectives.

Providing students with information through a different method, such as videostreaming, aligns with universal design for learning. This approach supports learning for students who may have difficulty with reading. United Learning offers a range of videos

in their library that include closed captions, benefiting students with auditory impairments. The services offered by United Learning have many appealing aspects, and for students with behavioral disabilities, video can be a valuable tool to promote engagement in the learning process.

United Learning is presently providing educators with 30-day trial subscriptions. Moreover, a unique offer is being extended this year to present one school building in every district across the United States with a complimentary one-year subscription to United Learning. To learn more, kindly visit www.unitedstreaming.com. After experiencing the service, it will become clear that going back to traditional ways of utilizing video in the classroom is no longer feasible. The use of Smartboards, mimio Xi’s or computer projectors considerably improves the experience of using this streaming video service.

We encourage you to experiment with this and provide your insights. As we continue the advancement of Science Education... resuming from page 5 on topics like humidity and light intensity, be sure to collect samples every quarter-hour for a week. Once you've established the parameters using the software, you can disconnect the USB cable and position the HOBO datalogger at your chosen location to commence data collection. When finished with data recording, launch your data logging application on your Mac or PC, connect HOBO via a USB port to accumulate and visually represent data through HOBO RH Temp Light External.

Students can use these handy little devices to conduct experiments similar to scientists using probes. The HOBO datalogger is accompanied by a helpful manual that will quickly get you started with data collection, offering great ideas. For more details about HOBO dataloggers, visit

www. iScienceProject. com. The company is lending out HOBO dataloggers so that teachers can utilize them in their curriculum.

I trust this article was enjoyable and insightful, introducing new resources applicable for students with special needs. It's imperative that we give these students tactile experiences to gather and analyze data directly. This active involvement is key to their academic success. By combining practical activities with visual data representations, it enables students to grasp scientific principles like never before. These tools are additionally beneficial for those experiencing motor skill challenges as they can utilize scientific apparatus without the danger of causing damage or harm.

The use of data visualization tools can enrich the learning process for students. Such tools are also advantageous for instructors working with visually impaired students because they can magnify the results to aid these pupils' engagement in Science lessons. The adoption of probeware by teachers opens up innovative methods to elevate science performance in their classrooms. Science probes ignite student creativity and pave the way for incorporating computers into Science classes.

Brookfield Zoo's Every Student is a Scientist: Using Technology to Foster Inclusive Learning (ESS) pilot program partnership with Chicago Public Schools (CPS) was recently named to the prestigious InfoWorld 100, a list of the most innovative technology programs in the nation.

ESS engages CPS students with visual, hearing, or physical impairments in hands-on conservation activities using tablet PCs with wireless connections. It aims to provide students with disabilities the same opportunities as their general education peers at the zoo. The project's first offering, "Primate Populations," has successfully completed beta testing.

The curriculum unit

centers on primate behavioral research and gives students the opportunity to utilize the same techniques used by animal keepers and field scientists at Brookfield Zoo to monitor the behaviors of baboons, monkeys, and gibbons on Baboon Island and Tropic World exhibits. Students use tablet PCs to record their observations, which are then transferred to the zoo's wireless network servers. This information can be accessed through the Web for classroom activities following the zoo visit. Future phases of this project will involve adapting several of Brookfield Zoo's award-winning Connections curricula.

The Every Student is a Scientist leadership program receives support from various organizations including the Chicago Zoological Society, the Institute of Museum and Library Services National Leadership Grant, the Polk Bros. Foundation, and Microsoft Corporation. During the field trip at Brookfield Zoo, students from inclusive CPS classrooms are divided into groups. Each group is provided with a stopwatch and a tablet PC, which comes with harness cases for convenient handling and can also be attached to wheelchairs if needed.

Each student team collaboratively gathers data on primate activity using tablet PCs equipped with software that accommodates a range of visual, hearing, and physical disabilities. Specifically, visually impaired students can opt for enlarged type fonts, high contrast images, descriptive narrations for video clips, or utilize a screen reader to interpret text displayed on the screen. In addition, deaf and hard-of-hearing students have the ability to convert all audio content to text or amplify audio clips.

Students who struggle to hold the tablet's stylus can use scanning software and a switch as an alternative. According to Ann Roth, the access coordinator at Brookfield Zoo, it

is inspiring to see students working together on a tablet PC and having the ability to choose how they access information. The pilot phase of Every Student Is a Scientist has received positive feedback from over 400 students and almost 20 teachers, indicating great potential for the project.

Wireless technology can be leveraged by students to exchange, examine, and contrast their research outcomes with colleagues or investigators at Brookfield Zoo. Broadening the use of this tech tool in additional displays will boost the possibilities for student-driven data collection and animal surveillance. InfoWorld magazine has recognized ESS as one of the most innovative IT initiatives in America due to its application of Wi-Fi, tablet PCs, and the .NET platform to address accessibility challenges.

The initial stage of the ESS program at Brookfield Zoo is a product of joint efforts between zoo personnel, CPS teachers, Subject Matter Experts, assistive technology specialists from University of Illinois Chicago, evaluators from Illinois Institute of Technology and continuous project oversight and solution consulting from Quilogy. This collaboration has led to an unprecedented initiative. Kambri Hauser-Zielinski, who teaches seventh and eighth grades at Bell School, portrays it as an exceptional scheme. Her pupils were part of the 400 students who participated in the pilot phase of the program where they had fun observing and documenting animal activities while collaborating as a group. Known worldwide for its groundbreaking exhibits, systematic management of animals' population, devotion towards wildlife preservation and dedication to promoting sustainable co-existence with nature is Brookfield Zoo. For more information about Brookfield Zoo do visit www.brookfieldzoo.org. What happens when Moby, Tim and Flash animation come together?

BrainPop is

a distinctive educational platform that functions via subscription, offering an immersive space for learners to explore numerous subject areas. The engaging dialogue between Tim, a student avatar, and his robotic friend Moby on different topics simplifies the learning process. For those who are new to this idea, the website www.BrainPop.com provides additional details. Subscribers can watch concise four-to-five-minute Flash animated movies which give comprehensive summaries of varied disciplines like Science, Language Arts, History, Technology, Math and Health.

After watching the animated movie, students can take quizzes and teachers can find resources for class discussions. Students with learning or behavioral difficulties will appreciate the concise and engaging animated movies. These movies effectively convey the main points of the topic in a humorous manner that students will enjoy. The library of movies has expanded, providing teachers with a valuable classroom resource. To determine if BrainPop is suitable for your needs, you can visit their website and give it a try.

BrainPop offers a variety of subscription choices like home, school, and teacher packages. In collaboration with Popular Science, BrainPop has recently developed an intriguing resource book focused on Science and technology. This visually stimulating book holds content that will continuously attract your students. It showcases Tim and Moby along with suggestions and labs for interactive learning. The book encompasses various Science subjects including weather, erosion through to computer technology.

Without a doubt, the book is set to captivate all as it serves various interests. Additionally, it provides links to BrainPop films which can be viewed online. Chances are high that your pupils will keep coming back to this exceptional book. For more data about

BrainPop, its membership plans or the highlighted book, kindly go to www.BrainPop.com. Separately from September/October 2004, Alphasmart Company's Neo was among the significant products presented at that year's National Educational Computer Conference due to its avant-garde design and refreshed color scheme.

The Neo is sage green in color. Although it might take some time to adjust to, the color becomes more appealing with increased usage. In terms of design and appearance, the Neo differs significantly from its predecessor, the Alphasmart 3000. It shares the same chassis and keyboard with the Dana, resulting in a quieter and smoother typing experience. The screen is bigger than that of the Alphasmart 3000 but smaller compared to the Dana. Personally, one of the standout features of the Alphasmart for me is...