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Teaching
using datalogger:
1. Summary
A datalogger
plus interactive
teaching strategies equals improved results.
2.
What is a Datalogger ?
Essentially
a black box that links a computer to a measuring device which
records measurements (from one or two a day to millions per second).
These measurements are stored and analysed - either with software
or manually.
3. The
Problem
Teachers can give the best explanations in the world,
but "Nothing works unless
the student works" - Donald
Simenek
Students
come into our classes with strong misconceptions about how the
world works.
Traditional
instruction has very little effect in changing this point of view.
There is
good research to show that a cluster of new interactive teaching
strategies combined with powerful ICT tools actually "work".
4. The
Strategy: The Interactive Demonstration Cycle
Based on work by Sokoloff, Thornton and Laws ("Interactive
Lecture Demonstrations")
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1:
Set up a scenario
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In
this case we will assume we have a datalogger connected
to gear.
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2:
Mime it, describe it, but don't actually carry out the
demonstration
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"We
are going to roll the cart up the inclined plane. We are
interested in the motion from just after it leaves my
hand until just before it reaches the top of its run"
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3:
Finish with a clear question.
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"If we do it, what will happen?"
"What will the velocity/time graph for this motion look like?"
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4:
Get students to make a prediction (1m 40s)
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We
usually use a worksheet for this with a brief description,
space for a prediction and space for the actual observed
result. Click here for a sample.
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5:
Get students to discuss their prediction with a partner
(2m)
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This
can be difficult for some students who become used to
the habit of only copying down the "right" answers.
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6:
(Possibly) Elicit some discussion/comment
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"Ok,
let's see what possible answers there are ".
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7:
Do it (2m)
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In
this case the datalogger can provide a real-time plot
of the required graph. Students are immediately confronted
with the "answer".
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8:
(Possibly) Elicit some discussion/comment
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Follow up with a question or problem. Typically 3 or 4
ID cycles may be used in a lesson.
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5. Summary: The
Key Ingredients
Active student involvement (individual predictions and discussion
in pairs).
Short time
delay between the event and follow-up analysis.
Powerful
ICT linked with effective teaching strategies.
6. Results
Improved student learning.
Greater
retention (in fact concepts tend to strengthen with time).
Increased
confidence and motivation in students.
Case Study:
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Teaching
Cases |
Description |
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Teacher Demonstration
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Teacher
can use the set of datalogger to do demonstration of the
experiment to the student. |
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Student Hands-on Experiment (need 6-8 set datalogger)
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Teacher
only give guidelines to the student. Grouping the student
to 6-8 groups to carry out the experiment and analysis during
the class. |
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Student Hands-on Experiment
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Teacher
can arrange one group to do experiment using datalogger
during the class. |
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Competition
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Let
students select their own topic to investigate. Ask them
to present the result of their finding to the schoolmates
and give report of the investigation. In this case, datalogger
is only a kind of tools for student to carry out experiment. |
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