Middle Level ICT Integration

 Middle Level ICT Integration 

 

Today we were oriented in using PhET Simulations which actually stands for Physics Education Technology. It is an interactive educational tool which is widely used by the teachers and learners for teaching and learning the math, physics, chemistry and other subjects. This tool had proved to be useful as well as interactive, that is;

1. It enable the students to visualize interact with the abstract concepts in science and mathematics helping them to understand more about the subject matter.

2. It makes the learning more engaging and enjoyable where they are able to explore and experiment safely and efficiently within the virtual environment. 

3. It is freely available online, making it accessible to the learners all around the world regardless of their financial status and availability of the materials.

4. This PhET simulation can accommodate the needs and the diverse learning style of a students as they can learn at their own pace and it the way they wanted.

There are certain advantages for using this PhET simulations for the teaching and learning:

1. It provide a visual representation of the complex ideas and concepts helping the students to gain better understanding of the concepts.Moreover it also actively engage the learners through hands on experiences.

2. There is free access to resources where it enable the students to experiment virtually without having to take the risk of damaging or wasting the resources.

3. It also model the real world phenomenon enabling them to understand the relevancy between the theory an the practical world.

What is Middle Level ICT Integration?

Middle Level ICT Integration actually means the use of the ICT Technologies to create the instructional simulations mainly to aid the teachers teaching as well as the students learning making it engaging and motivating to learn. ICT at this level is used mainly to address the learning needs of the students as well as the goals of the education. It had made the teaching and learning both easier and convenient for teachers as well as students where, through ICT they are able to create a simulations and the learning activities with clear instructions and made it accessible to all the learners anytime and anywhere. Subsequently, it had also helped the teachers to keep record of the assessment which enable the learners to check the progress of their learning. For instance the use of ICT tools such as PhET had made it convenient for the teachers to teach the students and the learners to learn freely without having to waste any resources. Moreover, this tool help in meeting the needs of every learners. 

Importance 

1. ICT provides a wide range of information, knowledge and skills to the teachers and students beyond the traditional textbook which encourage them to further explore more and hone their knowledge and skills. Moreover, the simulation and the tutorial that it provides makes the lesson more engaging and interactive which enable the students to understand the complex concepts more easily.

2. Through the use of ICT tools, teachers can tailor the instructions and activities that best suit the need as well as the preferences of the students. Furthermore, ICT facilitate the communication between the teacher and the students through online forums such as emails and other messaging apps.

3. Integrating ICT in the lessons can greatly engage and motivate the students to learn as it had got the abilities to make the lessons enjoyable and relevant to their everyday lives like presentations, digital games and interactive videos. 

Lesson Plan

Subject: Math

Class: IV

Chapter: Unit 4; Chapter 1

Topic: Equivalent Fraction 

Activity: Understanding Equivalent Fractions through game

Objectives

By the end of the lessons, students should be able to;

1. create equivalent fractions correctly using PhET simulations,
2. draw diagrams of equivalent fractions appropriately,
3. tell whether the fractions are equivalent or not through the use of PhET simulations.
   

Teaching Learning Materials: Laptops, computers and mobile phones with access to PhET simulations.

 

Lesson Introduction

Teacher will provide a basic concept regarding what fraction is and what are equivalent fractions along with few examples including the diagrams and methods involved in creating an equivalent fractions.

Given below is an example of equivalent fraction along with diagrams;

 

 Teacher will introduce the PhET simulation to students regarding what it is, its usage and benefits through videos and images. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4TrziuzCLFk

Lesson Development

Activity 

Individual work

Purpose: Create an equivalent fraction using PhET simulations.

Instruction;

Use the google search engine and type in phet.colorado.edu.

Click on simulations and than select all sims. 

Click on the subject that you are going to work on; for our case its math, so select maths.

Than select "Fractions: Equality" 

 

Click the Play button.

 

Click on game 

 Choose the level of game from 1-8

After selecting the level, drag the fraction from the table on one side and deepening on that fraction choose an appropriate diagram and drag it on to another side. Then click on check to see whether your answer id right or wrong. If its wrong, you need to do it again.

Make sure you complete all the level.

Follow Up Activity

After completion of the game, in groups allow students to frame an questions on equivalent fraction which require it to be answered using a diagrams. After that, each group will exchange the questions they have framed and try to answer. Then, in order to check students level of understanding, let each group solve the questions on board. During that time teacher will assess students, whether they have framed the questions appropriately or not and how well they have answered along with necessary feedback and corrections. 

Lesson Closure 

Teacher will close the lesson by summarizing the lesson and give question to students as an homework mainly to help the stay on track or stay engaged;

1. What is equivalent fraction? 

2. Using a diagram tell whether each fractions are equivalent or not.