Technologies in Education

PHET

PHET is a collection of over 100 simulations that provide students with an interactive environment in which to learn about sciences and math. These simulations are easy to use, interesting, and fun! Most of all, they are free! They can be downloaded to your computer or used online. PHET has won many awards for its outstanding excellence and is used worldwide. 

Impact

Teachers can use PHET simulations to demonstrate and describe the scientific understanding of how things work. Students can manipulate the simulation and interact with the features. They can make measurements in experiments using thermometers, voltmeters, and other tools then they will get feedback from the experiment right away. It helps students to visualize science as it's happening. 

When we think of SAMR, we can substitute a handout with Chromebooks or tablets and this will help engage students in their learning. By offering a substitute, students may want to stay engaged throughout the lesson. Some students learn better by seeing and doing, and using the simulations will benefit the students. Some handouts are combined with the simulations that the teachers have access to if they would like to add a variety to their lesson. 

Barriers 

There may be teachers who are intimidated by technology, but it is actually quite easy to navigate. If teachers do need assistance there are virtual workshops and also PHET tips on the website. Another barrier would have been the cost, but there was a way around it. The PHET creator, Carl Weiman, says in an interview, "One of the ongoing challenges for the PHET project is that it's expensive to develop such a high-quality product and to keep it at cutting edge, to keep upgrading, to keep branching out so it can be used on tablets and the next thing that's going to come after that. So we've had lots of debates and discussions about how to pay for it, and we keep coming back to "Should we charge for these?" But we always come down on the side of, "No". The whole goal of this is to make them as broadly accessible to everybody as possible" (2012). 

Integrate

Scenario One

Let's say I was teaching about static electricity in a Grade 3 classroom and I wanted to enhance my lesson using a simulation from PHET.  I want the students to see the positive and negative charges on the surfaces and what happens to those charges when the balloon is rubbed.  I could have a handout and get the students to work in groups, they will work together and take turns using the simulation for each question. Students can see the charges while they interact with the simulation.  We would come back as a class and discuss group findings.  This is the outcome and indicator I could use for this activity:

ME3.1

Investigate the characteristics of contact (e.g., push, pull, and friction) and non-contact (e.g., magnetic and static electric) forces.

(i)

Make and record relevant observations during investigations to identify conditions (e.g., humidity, type of materials, and distance between charged objects) that affect the strength of static electric forces, and develop simple conclusions about these conditions.

Scenario Two

Another scenario I could add PHET is with Math. Math is very tough for some students, so it's always nice to find a variety of tools to keep students engaged with Math.  PHET simulations are interactive and visual so they are great for Math.  I found a neat simulation for fractions, it is very simple to use and would not be difficult for students to use on their own. I could connect this simulation with Grade 5, the students are learning how to create equivalent fractions with pictures and will explain why the fractions are equivalent.  First, the students will try the Matching Game in pairs and record their times on a score sheet. Then, while they are still in pairs, they will play another game called Mixed Number. Students can discuss their strategies and write about their best strategies. Students will then try the games independently using a new table to keep track, the teacher can check students' recordings and initial their papers before the students close the PHET program. Here is the outcome and indicator for this activity:

 N5.5

Demonstrate an understanding of fractions by using concrete and pictorial representations to:

• create sets of equivalent fractions

• compare fractions with like and unlike denominators.

(a)

Create concrete, pictorial, or physical models of equivalent fractions and explain why the fractions are equivalent.

If you are interested in trying PHET here is the link: https://phet.colorado.edu/ 

Reference list

Weiman, Carl. (Carl Weiman). (2012, Dec 20). Carl Wieman: Why I Donated to PhET (video) YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N17IM7LspU8

https://curriculum.gov.sk.ca/ (outcomes and indicators)

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/simulations/balloons-and-static-electricity (static electricity)

https://phet.colorado.edu/en/activities/3571 (fractions)

https://guidediagramcirripedia.z21.web.core.windows.net/phet-dc-virtual-lab.html (logo)