Explore+Learning+website+for+students+in+science+and+math

__Explore Learning__ - demonstrated by Jen Kosnik

Each teacher gets a login code, then can assign login for each student. Can be used by students from any computer.

Small topics explored in “Gizmos” for science or math. Some are experiments with variables that can be changed. Some are more information based. Math is mostly problems, parameters can be changed to see how this changes the outcome.

Gizmos for geared for Gr 3-12, different Gizmos have different suggested grades.

Jen uses the website with different 3 methods: -students at home -in class as pairs -in class as teacher demo

Each Gizmo has guided lesson plan. Some have links to online resources. Lesson materials are constantly updated online.

Need to have Adobe Shockwave to run website. Some students have trouble getting this on their computers at home. Must make sure all laptops used in school have Shockwave.

Works better on Firefox than on Safari.

Students need to work from generic “student” account on the computer instead of their active directory personal accounts.

The teacher can create a page for each class and add Gizmos to the class. When students log in, the appropriate Gizmos for their class show up on their pages.

Some good Gizmos for things you can’t see, such as atoms.

Can take a screen shot of what you’ve done – could be used to produce a lab report.

Short multiple choice assessment at the end of each Gizmo. Results can be viewed by teacher to see what individual students have trouble with, or what the class needs to review.

Very visual, so it’s good for students that are visual and like computers.

Speak with Shelly Adasko to find out about getting an account.