Content+Area+Resources



** Concerns ** **1. The use of calculators has reduced the ability of our students to do basic math.** In science, you need to be able to do basic calculations and conversions quickly and a calculator is not always at hand. When my generation was going through school we never got to use any type of calculator to assist us. Doing all the calculations in your head or using a paper and pencil allows you to know the basic concepts of math. Calculators are extremely helpful, but not knowing the basic concepts of math can really hinder the student in many other areas of study. **2. Technology has reduced students "hands on" experience.** The use of technology and science go hand in hand, but it can also hinder students. The use of digital simulations have become a substitute for actual lab experience. When it comes to science experience is everything. Doing a simulation is not the same as actually getting in the lab and experience the concepts first hand. Students learn and do better when they have first hand experience. For example, you can't experience chemical reactions using a simulation, you need to be in the lab to see and observe everything that is going on. **3. Students ability to find credible resources is hindered**. The advancement of technology has given students the ability to have information available to them through the internet. The problem with that is not every source is credible. When researching science material, scientific journals and magazines are the best and most credible resources. Sites like Wikipedia are **NOT** credible resources. Students need to be able to tell the difference between good, credible resources and sites with information posted by anyone who can navigate the web.

** Suggestions ** 1.**The use of calculators has reduced the ability of our students to do basic math.** When it comes to using calculators students need to have the ability to do simple calculations without the use of a calculator. Doing problems and assignments without calculators will give the students the ability to practice doing scientific calculations on their own. When they have demonstrated that they can do and understand simple calculations without the assistance of a calculator then they can use the calculator to solve more complex calculations. 2.**Technology has reduced students "hands on" experience.** To give the students more "hands on" experience i would schedule more time in the lab. More time in the lab will give the students more experience with the concepts so they have a better chance to relate and understand the material that is being presented. Also more time in the lab allows there to be more teacher-student interacting. There is nothing more helpful than experience in the lab with as much teacher-student interaction as possible. **3. Students ability to find credible resources is hindered** To give the students a better understanding of credible and non-credible resources, i would create an assignment that makes the students go and research scientific topics using science journals and magazines. Give the students a list of credible resources and also explaining what makes a resource credible will aid in their ability to use and find credible sources. Showing them how to find and what to look for in a credible source will allow them to create a research project that is correct and factual.

**__ Resources __** media type="youtube" key="dKVL1ehDQB0" height="322" width="411" Curtsey of Youtube.
 * [|Credible Sources]. This website goes through a check list on what you should do to evaluate your resource as credible or not.
 * [|Importance of Hands on Experience]. Written by experienced science teachers and educators this explains the importance of doing actual "hands on" work. It shows that students will remember the material better and be able to apply the material to other topics along the way.
 * [|Calculators in Class]. This is a math website(can also be applied to science) that shows that it is okay for students to use calculators in class as long as they know the facts behind the calculations. If students just use calculators they will never get the concepts on why answers come out the way they do.
 * [|Credible Websites]. A detailed page on what to look for in a credible website. This allows the student to check that the website they are looking at is a credible source.
 * [|Importance of Learning Science with Experience]. Written by an educator, this lists the ways that students can benefit from experience when learning science. It shows how one can't learn science without actually experience everything that is Science.