Move Over Harvard And MIT, Stanford Has The Real “Revolution In Education” Lectures are often the least educational aspect of college; I know, I’ve taught college seniors and witnessed how little students learn during their four years in higher education. So, while it’s noble that MIT and Harvard are opening their otherwise exclusive lecture content to the public with EdX, hanging a webcam inside of a classroom is a not a “revolution in education”. A revolution in education would be replacing lectures with the Khan Academy and dedicating class time to hands-on learning, which is exactly what Stanford’s medical school proposed last week. Stanford realizes that great education comes from being surrounded by inspiring peers, being coached by world-class thinkers, and spending time solving actual problems. So, last week, two Stanford professors made a courageous proposal to ditch lectures in the medical school. Skeptical readers may argue that Khan Academy can’t compete with lectures from the world’s great thinkers. [Image via the University of Waterloo.]
50 Really Cool Online Tools for Science Teachers A 21st-century education revolves around the Internet for everything from collaboration, tools, lessons, and even earning degrees online. If you are looking for ways to integrate online learning into your science class or science degree programs, then take a look at these cool online tools that are just perfect for both teachers and students. Science Tools to Use with Students These tools offer opportunities for learning about climate, cells, the human body, nature, and more. ChemiCool. Share this periodic table with your class for an easy to use tool with information on each of the specific elements.GPS Activities and Lesson Plans. AP Tools Whether you are setting up a new AP curriculum or are just looking for additional material to use with your AP science students, these tools will help. Advanced Placement Biology. Websites and Resources for Science Teachers These websites are chock full of amazing resources and tools for science teachers. Discovery Education. Calculators Online Games
Victorian Flea Circuses: A Lost Art Form "QUANTUM SHOT" #549Link - by A. Abrams If you can make a flea cooperate with you, you're probably good at politics I have to say, this is probably the strangest subject we ever talked about on Dark Roasted Blend. A flea, with legs finer than a human hair, can pull up to 700 times its own weight! (art credit: Leah Palmer Preiss) "Big fleas have little fleas... Andy Clark sends us his latest project - he's been researching this topic for about four years now and regularly publishes new discoveries along with other flea news on the Flea Circus Research Library blog. "The idea to make a Victorian Flea Chariot came to me when I wondered if it's possible to use simple techniques available in the 1800s to make one today. The chariot is approx 10mm long by 7mm wide and made from brass; the wheels are 5mm in diameter. Making the chariot can be seen here, with video of a final product. On the right are some modern props, created by Swen Swenson, left image via images via National Fairground Archive ...
Science Matters Yah, I know some of us are winding down from schooling for the summer months, but I can’t help but stay on the lookout for resources I know I’m going to be needing again all too soon. I’ve come across some interesting science things of late that I want to check out – perhaps you, too, can find something useful. For your perusal: Free Online Textbooks and Curriculum Chemistry Packets: 13 units of chemistry; also has links to YouTube chemistry videos Classic Science Life: free life science e-textbook to download; either download by chapter (there are 36) or by unit (9 units); online courses also offered MS Nucleus: free science curriculum, K – 6 and some secondary Science Interactives and Videos Annenberg Learner : animations on a number of topics, including volcanos, DNA, the rock cycle and others; also has interactive on subjects other then science wickED: animations about the earth, including plate tectonics, the rock cycle Bytesize Science: chemistry videos ilabcentral: virtual lab
Ending the 'tyranny of the lecture' Harvard professor Eric Mazur reveals how he uses peer instruction to make learning more dynamic—and how new software can facilitate this process By Dennis Pierce, Editor Read more by Dennis Pierce July 27th, 2011 Students need to assimilate information before they can apply it to a different context, Mazur said. At an educational technology conference in Boston July 27, Harvard University physics professor Eric Mazur explained how he uses “peer instruction” to help his students engage in deeper learning than traditional lectures can provide—and he unveiled a brand-new ed-tech service that can help educators take this concept to a whole new level. Mazur used a simple experiment to drive home his point that lecturing is an outdated—and largely ineffective—strategy for imparting knowledge. While the responses from the crowd varied—some cited practice or experience, while others said trial and error—no one answered “lecture,” Mazur noted wryly.
Make a Bouncing Polymer Ball - Experiment with Polymers Introduction Balls have been toys practically forever, but the bouncing ball is a more recent innovation. Bouncing balls were originally made of natural rubber, though now bouncing balls can be made of plastics and other polymers or even treated leather. You can use chemistry to make your own bouncing ball. The bouncing ball in this activity is made from a polymer. Bouncing Polymer Ball Materials Here's a list of materials you need to gather to make bouncing polymer balls: borax (found in the laundry section of the store) cornstarch (found in the baking section of the store) white glue (e.g., Elmer's glue - makes an opaque ball) or blue or clear school glue (makes a translucent ball) warm water food coloring (optional) measuring spoons spoon or craft stick to stir the mixture 2 small plastic cups or other containers for mixing marking pen watch with a second hand metric ruler zip-lock plastic baggie Let's make bouncing polymers balls... Polymer Projects Plastics and Polymers
Flipped learning: A response to five common criticisms One of the reasons this debate exists is because there is no true definition of what “flipped learning” is. Over the past few years, the Flipped Learning method has created quite a stir. Some argue that this teaching method will completely transform education, while others say it is simply an opportunity for boring lectures to be viewed in new locations. While the debate goes on, the concept of Flipped Learning is not entirely new. Dr. Eric Mazur of Harvard University has been researching this type of learning since the early ’90s, and other educators have been applying pieces of the Flipped Learning method for even longer. It’s our opinion that one of the reasons this debate exists is because there is no true definition of what Flipped Learning is. Dr.
DIY Solar Lamp: Make Your Own Eco-Friendly Sun Jars The principle is simple and seductively clever: solar lights that store energy during the day and release light at night. These can be purchased ready-made in a variety of colors (yellow, blue and red) but they can also be built at home. A simple, less-technical approach involves buying a conventional solar-powered yard lamp and then essentially harvesting it for key pieces to put in a jar. This is simply a way of taking an existing solar lamp design and appropriating its parts to make something more attractive for display around a house or home. A more electronically-savvy individual can take the more complex route and built a solar lamp from the ground up using small solar panels – though the aesthetic result may not be as impressive. Whatever route you choose to go, these are fun and sustainable gadgets that make it easy to go green, automate the process of turning on lights at night and can add some color to your porch, patio, garden or windowsill.