I've been looking forward to this week since before the course started, and had high hopes for finding math simulations - specifically transformations and translations of quadratics to use with my Math 11 course. I found some, but most seem to be of the "free trial" variety. Since our school budget for these sorts of things is zero, I don't want to try something, decide it would be really useful, and then not be able to use it. I was also hopeful of finding Hardy-Weinberg simulations to use with my Biology 11 students, but so far the biology simulations I've found are cell biology and anatomy and physiology (which are not in my curriculum - they are in Biology 12). I've also looked at several chemistry simulations, and the most helpful of these are also of the "free trial" kind. Clearly I will have to keep looking, and probably sort through a lot of stuff which might be useful to someone else, but not to me.
I know that part of the benefit of taking this class is the time and freedom to explore what is available, but I find that I'm still in "teacher" mode - I feel like I need to find useful simulations quickly.
Google earth will probably wait until my son, Ryan, is home tomorrow. I discovered that I can do some things on my own, but I need a tutor right beside me for other applications. I can find home, and my running route, but I can't make the ocean level rise. I think my real problem with the simulations and maps is that I get stressed so quickly when I don't understand what I am supposed to be doing. I clearly still need to work on patience and confidence!
Hey Cherri,
ReplyDeleteSorry you are having trouble finding the things you are looking for. Here are a couple things I've used (or come across) before that might help
For the math transformations:
http://nlvm.usu.edu/en/nav/category_g_4_t_3.html
For Hardy-Weinburg:
http://www2.edc.org/weblab/WebLabDirectory1.html
http://www.phschool.com/science/biology_place/labbench/
Sorry can't help with the Chemistry - don't teach it! However, Jasper posted this on his blog. It might help!
http://www.chem.iastate.edu/group/Greenbowe/sections/projectfolder/simDownload/index4.html
Have a nice night!
So, I entered the wrong url for one of the Hardy-Weinburg sites. The first one should be
ReplyDeletehttp://www2.edc.org/weblabs/WebLabDirectory1.html
Ooops!
One of the blogs I follow had an entry today for Visual Math Learning (http://tinyurl.com/nwg9cl). I have not checked it out, but it may be at a lower level than what you need. However, there are links on that page to other Math helps.
ReplyDeleteI understand about the frustration & lack of confidence! I had a professor friend of mine (he's mentioned in my most recent blog) sitting right next to me who had played with it some. However, he did not know about the various applications such as rising sea level, the astronomy tutorials, etc. & has plans to use them in ecoloogy. But, we had to figure it out together & it took a little time.
ReplyDeleteIt also gave me the opportunity to show him all that we have been doing with this class. He was SO IMPRESSED by what i showed him! Next, I'll be helping him set up a blog site for his classes this fall & he is now on Facebook with many of his colleagues.
So... whenever you get frustrated- just look back & recognize all that you can now do compared to the start of this class. You'll get a boost of confidence!
Thanks to all of you for your helpful hints. I have learned quite a bit this week - and last night I even found a number of useful simulations! I hadn't found the Hardy-Weinberg though, so am really grateful.
ReplyDelete