Category Archives: #edtech #scitech
Fizzix is Phun
I’m a bit worried about posting this so close to the DP exams*, but it is irresistable…
Ben Goldacre posted this video on the badscience blog – it’s a Physics toy for the computer, which can be downloaded here: phun.at.
The comments page turned up a load of other good toys to play with, so go on over to the original post and check them out.
There are plenty of videos of Phun in action on YouTube.
*potential 10 on the procrastinometer
Footprints Science – loads of simple, clear interactives
This site has a good collection of animations and interactives aimed at KS3/GCSE levels. It is divided into Bio, Chem and Phys and has a section on coursework. Well worth spending time having a look there, especially as most of them can be saved easily.
Special prize for anyone who can work out what the Taj Mahal is doing in the banner for a Science website.
Biologymad.com – A-Level study site and lots of resources
Biologymad has plenty of resources for A-Level Biology (many of which can be used for IB). There are a few simple animations on the resources page, including the golgi apparatus Flash linked to in the image.
They also offer free Moodle hosting for Biology courses, with the proviso that the course must be free to the students.
QUIA – A powerful course management system online
This service is worth having a go at. You can build a class webpage easily, set games and activities and assess quizzes. There is a free 30-day trial for teachers. If you decide you like it, it’s US$50 per year, per instructor account. Students, however, can use it for free and once they’re logged in can access a lot of resources from any discipline.
Here is an example page – it took an hour or so to set up and the quizzes took about an hour each.
HyperHeart – da dumpf, da dumpf, da dumpf
Thanks again to bogstandardcomp from the TES Boards.
This Shockwave app shows the full cycle of the heart beat and can be paused at any point. It includes ‘live’ ECG and blood pressure graphs and some tutorials (though I had difficulty getting them to work). Conveniently, it can also be saved using Firefox or Flashcatcher, to be used on the whiteboard.
Derryclare also posted a great link:
How to Build Tricky Compounds and Make a Cup of Tea
Have a go at this demo from Presence Multimedia, aimed at A-Level students. It can be saved, is a bit of a challenge and works on the SMART Board.
A simple hunt around their site reveals other educational gems, such as ‘How to Wire a Plug‘, a ‘Personal MOT (good for ATL), and ‘How to Make a Cup of Tea‘.
Yes, you read that correctly – there is a Flash app on the internet to teach you how to make a cup of tea.
How to Wire a Plug
Simple flash app, allows you to blow up a TV. Can be saved easily.
Thanks to hooper from the TES Boards.
Saving Videos – post updated
Some more techniques added: https://sciencevideos.wordpress.com/2007/09/19/saving-videos/
Yacapaca.com – set, mark and analyse assessments online – for free
Yacapaca allows you to set Flash quizzes and portfolio tasks for students – with the added bonus of being able to see who has completed it, their score and class data for each activity.
It takes a while to get used to (not totally intuitive), but once you’re up and running it’s worth the effort. There is a wealth of authoring group to join (including IB Biology and IB MYP Science), where you can add questions to a common bank and draw from the work and expertise of other teachers. The GCSE Biology and Physics and Science groups are very well resourced indeed.
Go on, have a go. At least your mob will get a different type of homework this week.
If you need more convincing before you sign up, visit the Chalkface blog.
Learn.Genetics @ Utah
Easily the best Genetics resource out there. Loads of Flash animations, Shockwave virtual labs and up-to-date information. Well worth spending some time there and seeing what could be used in class. Teachers can register for news and teaching ideas.
Virtual labs include DNA Extraction, Gel Electrophoresis and a DNA Microarray. Perfect for the DP Genetics unit.
i-Biology 