With 21st learning, there are high expectations that students will develop higher-level skills. Our students are digital natives who have information overload and need to be able to “access, evaluate and synthesize vast quantities of information” (NCREL, 2005, paragraph 1) in order to be competitive in their future employment. These students are very proficient in the use of technology and have no idea why technology would not be used in the classroom.
There are so many great sources of science technology available for use in the classroom, granted some is very pricey but some are not. There are also a great variety of grants available to help bring these resources into the classroom, some local as well.
http://www.vernier.com/grants/fulllist.html
Video is an easy way to bring science into the classroom whether it is through Discovery Streaming, Brainpop, Disney Science, You Tube, Teacher Tube, Bill Nye, virtual field trips…..
http://www.field-trips.org/trips.htm
http://www.brainpop.com/science/
http://www.discoveryeducation.com/search/page/k-5/science/-/-/index.cfm?campaign=flyout_teacher
When I went to the ISTE last year in Denver, I was amazed by all of the technology available in the science classroom. I played with digital microscopes, watched an unbelievable 3D movie about the body systems. SMART exchange has over 7000 science related activities and lesson plans that are free to download for use on your SMART board.
http://www.3dview.org/tour.html
http://exchange.smarttech.com/search.html?q=science
