Starting to wrap up
It's been an interesting semester looking into virtual labs and their use in the classroom, with a lot of ups and downs with respect to their actual implementation in the classroom. I found one more online virtual chemistry site at http://www.chm.davidson.edu/ChemistryApplets/index.html from Davidson.
Their applets are not nearly as nice as some of the other ones I've seen, but they cover a very broad range of topics. I like that they have coverage of topics I haven't seen elsewhere, but I'm really unimpressed with the quality of them. They work, and show what they're meant to show, but I don't see how they can help students who don't already know what's going on. That does bring up a major issue with simulations, and that is the importance of appearance and ease of use. Without a flashy appearance, you can't get the kids to stick around unless it's really easy to use. If you have neither, your material is not really useful.
Their applets are not nearly as nice as some of the other ones I've seen, but they cover a very broad range of topics. I like that they have coverage of topics I haven't seen elsewhere, but I'm really unimpressed with the quality of them. They work, and show what they're meant to show, but I don't see how they can help students who don't already know what's going on. That does bring up a major issue with simulations, and that is the importance of appearance and ease of use. Without a flashy appearance, you can't get the kids to stick around unless it's really easy to use. If you have neither, your material is not really useful.
posted by MJS at 10:39 PM
3 Comments:
Let's get together on the simulations. Have you found one that could be used at the middle school level? One of the goals in our Technology classes is to teach the students how to use the tools they will use in the curriculum. This way, the teachers won't have to spend the time teaching their students. Of course, it would be great if you could teach the teachers! What are your thoughts?
Beth
Matt,
Graphics and appearance are very important to students. They don't like sites with bad graphics. If they have a hard time learning how to use a site they will give up quickly. There are just so many web resources that are easy to use and visually engaging students think that they will find something better elsewhere.
Jessica
I have really enjoyed reading your blogs this semester. I am been intrigued by the use of virtual labs. You mention that you are not satisfied with current products. You may think of designing your own and maybe pitching the idea.
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