This interactive is designed to engage students in thinking critically about how science works. They can use the tool to document their own science practices or to reflect on the process that others followed as portrayed in an article or video. Students create a visual map of the process of science and can annotate the steps with text, images, and supplemental files. The tool allows users to save and return to their work. Finally, there is an option to output a file that can be used in presentations.
Type of Material:
Interactive animation and development tool.
Recommended Uses:
In-class, homework, in lab.
Technical Requirements:
Browser. PowerPoint for exported work.
Identify Major Learning Goals:
To show the complexity and versatility of the scientific process of knowledge generation.
Reflect on the process of science and how it is shaped by a unique combination of people and events.
Analyze the chronology of a scientific investigation and identify the steps in the process that was used.
Target Student Population:
Middle School, High School, College Lower Division
Prerequisite Knowledge or Skills:
None.
Content Quality
Rating:
Strengths:
A flow chart style diagram demonstrates the complex network of interacting pieces that make up scientific processes
The interactive nature of the content allows students to explore the material
Breaks down larger processes into smaller steps
An introduction to the model supplies a general overview
Includes both a detailed and more basic model to allow for use by multiple audiences
Concerns:
The diagrams are quite dense and may be daunting to some students.
Some concepts in the flow chart are not explained
Without the details provided in the educator materials, the interactive model has no clear explanation of what to do or instructions to follow
Potential Effectiveness as a Teaching Tool
Rating:
Strengths:
This interactive allows not only interactivity, but allows users to create an experimental "flow" of their own (or someone else's) research
The chart is available in a simplified version
The introduction can be skipped to go directly to the seciton that allows users to create their own flow chart
The resource includes an instructor's guide and an example project and options for multiple levels of learning
The resource includes a description of curriculum connections for many of the current science education standards
In conjunction with the educator materials, this interactive animation encourages students to think critically about the process of science and enables them to chart their own "path" to understanding.
Allows for students to export their work to turn in as an assignment
Includes learning goals and aligns to current curriculum standards
Concerns:
None.
Ease of Use for Both Students and Faculty
Rating:
Strengths:
Accessibility information is present and the site is accessible with screen readers
The navigation in the introduction and in the interactive section are easy and intuitive
The resource includes standard share buttons
Easy to navigate and supporting materials can easily be accessed
Spanish language version is available
Complies with accessibility standards
Concerns:
None.
Creative Commons:
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