REFLECTION

BENEFIT OF ICT IN SCIENCE EDUCATION

Technology is a powerful tool that has great potential in enhancing the learning of science. Through the use of technology especially video, computer and internet, the teaching and learning of science can be made more interesting and effective. Through this course, I had learned about computer simulation and animation, data logger and also smart board.

Computer simulation and animation can be presented through courseware or web page. Teacher can download the video or simulations from internet freely. What they need is to install any software that can play the simulation. And the software also are available for free, where teacher can download from internet.

Application tools such as word processors, graphic presentation software and electronic spreadsheet are valuable tools for the analysis and presentation of data. Besides that, during last week ICT class, we had introduced and explained about Smart Board by Apple Company. This tool is very useful for teacher in teaching. It is flexible, easy to use and handle, can attract student thus it can make two way of communication during the lesson. Smart board can be assumed as combination of traditional chalk and talk, power point presentation and IT technologies.

The use of other tools such as data logger and computer interfacing in experiments also enhance the effectiveness of teaching and learning of science. Data logger is a devise that records data. It has many type of sensors such as temperature, sound, light and humidity. One of the primary benefit of using data logger is the ability to automatically collect data on 24 hours time. It allows for comprehensive and accurate picture of the environmental conditions being monitored such as temperature and humidity.

Posted by Najah

Benefits of Simulation-based Education

Simulations are thought to be effective in education especially in science subjects such as Chemistry, Biology and Physics because they elicit higher levels of arousal, motivation, task engagement, and quality of problem-solving in students than that offered by traditional classroom methods. It needs to emphasize more on practical knowledge and efficient tools that will enhance the students’ thinking, problem solving and interpersonal skills so that they can face the challenges ahead and emerge as competent leaders in the industry after they leave the universities. Simulation has emerged as an important approach to meet this need.

Numerous potential benefits of simulations such as:
· Ensured reproducible curriculum for all students
· Instant performance feedback
· Improved psychomotor skills
· Develop an enjoyable learning experience
· Give students a chance to test their intuition
· Enhance learning (with the assumption that learning is done better by doing than by just listening, reading, or writing)
· Build students’ confidence and teamwork
· They can then use these opportunities to modify their decisions and actions and to observe the impact of such changes.

Improving and creating simulation software will give variety of teaching and learning methods. Teacher can make their lesson more interesting and this will attract students to be more focused in their classroom. Students are able to try and correct themselves at the same time and learn fast through simulation. I hope more educators and expertise will be able to create simulation which suitable for students in every field or subjects as it can give big impact to the learning process.

Posted by Nurrul ‘Ainni

ICT Class..... What do you think?

First of all, thumbs-up for this course. This is because it has made me realized the important of technology especially in teaching. Before this, I'm not really care about ICT so I did not know not only data logger but smart board as well. They are really rare to me. This is because I took pure chemistry during my degree. So, the only thing I knew, go to the lab and did my experiments. But now, the situation is quite different when I'm taking this wonderful course. It successfully help me to develop along with technology as well as give the ideas to create an innovation towards my teaching style. Now, those weird things are not longer rare for me anymore... Thanks for this course and Dr Saadiah as well for the precious knowledge I got through this class.

Posted by Effah Shaari