Science and Technology: It’s a Perfect Match! - Unit 5

This is a brief article outlining the different strategies used by elementary and middle school teachers to implement technology into their science lessons. The article offers tips for teachers on how to use technology effectively by first considering the objectives of the lesson and then deciding which technology would be effective at meeting these objectives. Technology can be used to spark student interest and is can be a great opportunity for students to explore topics for which hands-on activities are not accessible. Some activities that have been used by teachers in the past include the use of digital cameras and computers to create PowerPoint story books about living creatures, the use of websites to guide student research projects, the use of scientific equipment (such as digital video microscopes), and the use of “virtual field trips”- activities that “take students” to faraway places using online technology to view pictures and research life in strange countries.

Renwick, L. (2003). Science and technology: It’s a perfect match! Instructor, March.

This article introduced some great ideas for sparking interest in students during science lessons. Most of the ideas, however, were intended for elementary classrooms and were much too basic for the secondary level. The idea of using the internet for research could be integrated into a WebQuest project in much the same way, increasing the difficulty level to meet secondary standards. Virtual field trips are also a unique and engaging way for students to learn about topics by exploring, even if it is from their own classroom chair! The very idea of using technology to motivate and excite students is necessary in today’s classroom if teachers want to build a connection between students and science.