b.
Deciding Whether to Use ICT
Data
logging is an application of ICT that is specific to science teaching.
Many science activities require the collection of data from experiments.
Collecting the data sometimes presents pupils with difficulties
with respect to accuracy of recording skills and physical manipulation.
Effective use of a computer, interface and sensors can overcome
these difficulties and enable pupils to focus on the science content
of the experiment, and specifically on the ability to hypothesise
about relations between events.
The
use of a spreadsheet package can also automate the process of
modelling the relationships between events, particularly where
calculation of variables is complex but uniform.
Questions
for Consideration
- How
often have you used a spreadsheet package to automate calculations
of variables and results?
- Once
you are familiar with the process of doing this, you should
consider with your mentor the impact is has on pupils' learning.
Do you believe that it removes a barrier to the understanding
of scientific principles such as cause and effect or the impact
of change on variables, or is it your view that the spreadsheet
removes from the pupil an important arithmetical task?
 c.
Selecting ICT Resources
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