DEN Blog Network » Science in Action

Discovery Education Science TechBooks – great resource – more than an e-text

David Andrade — Fri, 17 Feb 2012 16:43:33 +0000

Discovery Education has a lot of great resources for educators, many free (over 30). They also have fee-based services such as DE Streaming with thousands of videos, audio files, images, lesson plans, and much more.

One of their other resources that I have been using lately is the Discovery Education Science Techbook.

The Discovery Education Science Techbook is more than a digital textbook. ”It’s a different way of thinking. Thinking outside the box, perhaps. Or more appropriately, thinking outside the book.” ”The Techbook not only provides awesome content aligned to each state’s standards (there are currently Science Techbooks available for most grades K-8 in 30 states across the U.S.), but includes a model lesson for teachers to use with every concept, assessment questions for each standard, a teacher’s guide, and DVDs for when the Internet is not available. Resources such as the virtual labs, reading passages, video segments, science sleuths, explorations, and interactive glossary, etc., are packaged together to follow the five E model of instruction. Teachers have found an easier and creative way to build lessons using technology resources and content, as well as differentiating their classroom.”

It is not just a PDF or other media file with links. It is an entire ecosystem of lesson resources for educators to use in their classroom. It’s not free, but neither are print textbooks or iBooks, and the DE Science TechBooks are ready, aligned to standards, and in use in thousands of classrooms around the country.

The DE Science Techbooks feature

Lively, interactive resources that capture the attention of students
Custom, in-person professional development builds capacity to ensure effective implementation
Cost-effective and efficient
Organized around the teacher-friendly 5E Instructional Model and integrates the nature of science and inquiry into every phase of learning
Designed around big ideas and essential questions
Customized to your state standards
Student resources for ALL learning styles
Key teacher resources
Up-to-date content
Real-time feedback

From Discovery Education’s press release:

Unlike traditional textbooks, Discovery Education Science Techbook uses an inquiry-based approach to learning, bringing key science concepts to life for both English and Spanish-speaking students. Other interactive elements available only from Discovery Education include an interactive glossary, videos and photos, and clips from Discovery Channel’s award-winning series such as PLANET EARTH, LIFE and MYTHBUSTERS.

Using a real-time assessment component that measures students’ progress and recommends individualized resources, the Science Techbook has the ability to address individual student’s learning styles and prescribe resources targeted to their performance.

The Science Techbook is dynamic and updated in real time, providing teachers the opportunity to incorporate up-to-date scientific issues into their curriculum and students the chance to interact with experts on the front lines. Most recently the Science Techbook has featured such events as the tornados that occurred across the southeast U.S. and the tornado and tsunami in Japan. Finally, Discovery Education Science Techbook is a substantially less expensive option per student than textbooks, with additional savings derived from a lack of textbook replacement or inventory costs.

Some of Discovery Education’s content, including the TechBooks, is Flash Based (for now) but you can access all of it on an iPad using iSwifter.

Here’s a nice ToonDoo-inspired take on the differences between classrooms that are driven by books (digital or otherwise) and those that are driven by inquiry-based instruction from Lance Rougeux at Discovery Education.

Discovery Education’s Science Techbook: Scientific Explanations in Action

What I Want from a Digital Textbook

TechBook Extravaganza

Apple Announces iBooks2 E-Textbooks – my initial thoughts

What I use with Physics classes instead of textbook

Resources to Replace Textbooks

Free Textbooks – online, download, iPad, Kindle

Science Assessment Manager: Student View

Mike Bryant — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 16:54:23 +0000

Recently, the Techbook Team took a look at the Science Assessment Manager and through educator feedback, rolled out a few new features. If you are currently using the Science Assessments, this will be a welcome change. The only way for you as the teacher to see the features, is by logging in as one of your students, clicking on a assigned assessment and clicking through the assessment. Many teachers set-up a demo student in their class, just to test things out on.

Once you’re in as a student and in their assessment, you’ll notice the ability to skip and come back to questions. In addition, students are provided the opportunity to review all of their answers prior to submitting the test for grading. Take a look at the quick video tutorial below to see the new improvements.

What I use with Physics classes instead of textbook

David Andrade — Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:54:17 +0000

By David Andrade

Apple made a big announcement last week about iBooks2 and digital textbooks. You can read my thoughts on it here.

Some other teachers asked me what I use with my classes, since I don’t use a textbook. The textbooks we have are 20+ years old, hard to understand and not very good in general. Instead, I use a collection of resources with my students. (I do use a Physics textbook, Giancoli Physics, with my AP class).

All of my lesson plans and resources are organized in Evernote. This is where I have unit and topic lesson plans, objectives, links, activities, projects, and all of my files. It is also what I use to organize and schedule what I’m doing each day in class.

Students may check out one of our physics textbooks if they want, but no one does. There are also a variety of textbooks in my class that students can use if they want.

1. Lecture notes – I do a lot of labs, projects, and investigations with my classes, but I start each topic off with a short lecture and discussion, example problems, along with demonstrations and applications of the topic to real life. There are also short video clips and animations which help explain concepts. I want the students to have a basic understanding before going off on their own. The lectures are usually on PowerPoint with links, videos and live demos. The PowerPoint slides are posted on the class website.

2. Class website - the class website has the lecture notes, handouts, links, and other resources for the students.

3. Class blog - the class blog is where I have links, post class updates, and post assignments and reminders.

4. Problem sets – each section has problem sets. The packets have a short summary of the concept, as well as example problems and then the practice problems students do. They start the “homework” in class so that I can assist them and then they finish them at home. These packets become a mini-textbook of sorts. They also get lots of other handouts, including math reference, physics equations, problem solving tips, and more.

5. Labs, Projects, and Activities – we do at least 2 labs for each topic and a lot of projects and activities through the year. We use software (Multimedia Science School), along with websites, webquests, hands-on labs, and research and design/build projects. Many labs are done virtually using PhET. Projects include balloon launch for projectile motion, bridge building for forces/stress, and rockets at the end of the year, among others..

6. E-textbooks – I provide links to online physics textbooks and downloadable physics textbooks so that they have them as a resource. I do not specifically use them or refer to them in class.

7. Websites – there are a couple of great websites I use with the class, including the PhysicsClassroom, PhET, and some great videos on different sites. I have also found Dolores Gende’s site to be invaluable to me as a teacher and to my students. She has some great Physics resources and links on her site.

8. Discovery Education - I use Discovery Education Streaming for videos, I get images and lesson ideas from the STEM Academy and Science of Everyday Life and the Discovery Educator Network. There are over 25 Free Resources for educators to use.

These are the main resources. There are more. I get resources from different textbooks, web sites, other educators and more.

What do you use, instead of / in addition to, texbooks in your classroom?

Here is a full listing and description of some of the sites and resources I use:

1. The Physics Classroom - this site is excellent. It has a tutorial section (online lessons with links, practice problems and simulations) along with a review section, help for solving word problems, links, multimedia resources and much more. The lessons are in easy to understand terms and each subject area is broken down into small parts. One of the best physics resources available.

2. PhET - Online or downloadable simulations and virtual labs. There are also teacher created lesson plans and resources for each lab/simulation. The quality of these resources is excellent and they really help students visualize and learn physics concepts. There are also simulations/virtual labs for Chemistry, Biology, Math and Earth Science.

3. Physics Study Guide wikibook - great content and explanations and has links to other resources. Can be used as a study guide or even as a basic textbook.

4. Motion Mountain – free downloadable Physics textbook - covers kinematics, light, electromanetism, relativity, and some other topics.

5. FHSST Physics online wikibook - Free High School Science Texts – covers all the physics concepts and has explanations and examples. Can easily be used as an e-textbook.

6. AP Physics B video lectures - excellent videos about each topic in physics. Great for review or for students who want another explanation of a concept. Geared towards AP Physics B, but can be used for any physics class.

7. Learn AP Physics - has practice problems, links, explanations, and videos. Includes some of the videos from #6 above. Geared towards AP Physics, but can be used for other classes also.

8. Online Physics Study Guide - topic explanations, simulations, practice problems, and more.

SCIcon 2012 In-Person Events

Porter Palmer — Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:50:37 +0000

We’re gearing up for the 3rd annual DEN SCIcon on Saturday, January 28th and hope you’ll join us either virtually or in one of the in-person events planned across the country. DEN SCIcon focuses on providing participants with some of the most effective strategies for transforming their science classes through the meaningful and effective integration of digital media content.

Join thousands of educators from around the world for an amazing day of professional development sessions, networking and sharing.

Here’s the agenda.

Join us for one of these in-person events:

Peoria, AZ (Register here)
Hartford, CT (Register here)
Kansas City, MO (Register here)
St. Louis, MO (Register here)
Townsend, MT (Register here)
Cullowhee, NC (Register here)
Greensboro, NC (Register here)
Piqua, OH (Register here)
Cope, SC (Register here)
Knoxville, TN (Register here)
Richardson, TX (Register here)

DEN SCIcon 2012

Mike Bryant — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 21:28:10 +0000

DEN SCIcon focuses on providing participants with some of the most effective strategies for transforming their science classes through the meaningful and effective integration of digital media content.

Join thousands of educators from around the world for an amazing day of professional development sessions, networking and sharing.

or join us for one of these in-person events:

General Agenda (all times ET)

9 AM
Opening Session
Your Attention Please: 10 Ways to Engage Your Students in Science
Lance Rougeux
Download the presentation.

10 AM
Inquiring Minds Want to Know: Student Learning through Inquiry-based Instruction
Trinette Green
Download the presentation.

11 AM
What’s the GIST? Bridging Literacy and Science
Brad Fountain
Download the presentation.

12 PM
The Common Core Connection
Kelly Pauling
Download the presentation.

1 PM
Busting the Myths of Project Based Learning in the Science Classroom
Mike Bryant
Download the presentation.

2 PM
Closing Session
The Scientific Method… It’s Not Just For Chapter One Anymore
Patti Duncan
Download the presentation.

Get Discovery Education Flash Content on your iPad

David Andrade — Thu, 15 Dec 2011 14:39:29 +0000

by David Andrade, http://tinyurl.com/edtechguy

Discovery Education has a huge amount of great resources for educators, from videos to lesson plans to e-textbooks and more. Some of it is in Flash, so you can’t access it directly on your iOS device browser. However, iSwifter has partnered with Discovery Education to create Rover. Rover is an iPad browser that allows you to access Flash based content. The Flash content does not run on the device. It is streamed to the Rover app.

It allows you to browse and play Flash content, meaning you can now access Discovery Education’s massive resource collection of lesson plans, apps, and materials.

Discovery Education also has an iPad friendly site.

STEM – description, ideas and resources for educators

David Andrade — Thu, 10 Nov 2011 18:06:12 +0000

by David Andrade, http://tinyurl.com/edtechguy

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) is a term that has become more and more popular lately as the federal government is pushing for improvements in student performance in these areas. The United States needs more students to enter these fields and, in general, the public needs to be more educated about these topics to be better informed citizens.

There are a lot of initiatives, programs, and resources related to STEM and I will try to share as many as possible while explaining what they are.

The White House has the Educate to Innovate campaign to “improve the participation and performance of America’s students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM).” The campaign is also being supported by companies, foundations and science and engineering societies. Discovery is one of the major players and they already have a huge number of resources for STEM (many listed below). The goal is to increase STEM literacy so that all students can think critically and learn in STEM topics.

One of the things happening on the national level is a new Science Framework that is being developed to pave the way for new science standards. The new framework will emphasize depth over breadth, using scientific inquiry and the engineering design process as part of their learning experience, and having core scientific concepts revisited at multiple grade levels to help build on prior learning and facilitate a deeper understanding. Part of this includes more science education at the elementary level, including training for teachers. There is a strong emphasis on engineering and technology in the framework. The engineering design process is an excellent way to teach problem solving and engineering and technology is the application of the science concepts students are learning. NextGenScience is the site related to this topic and teachers can find more information. You can download a free PDF book about the New Science Framework here.

I am a former engineer. I received my BS Degree in Mechanical Engineering – Aerospace, from Worcester Polytechnic Institute and worked for 10 years as an engineer before becoming an educator. WPI has a project based curriculum and I use many of their ideas in my classroom now. WPI is even creating a STEM Education center to help train teachers.I teach Physics and use engineering in my classes all the time. I teach the students the engineering design process and we do a lot of projects. I also run an after school pre-engineering program at my school (CPEP). My engineering education and experience has given me the skills to solve problems, think critically, learn on my own, and apply knowledge to applications. I feel that this is what we need to be teaching our students.

The engineering design process is a cycle. It emphasizes that things don’t always work the first time and that you analyze what happened, redesign, and try again. I like to share with students the fact that most of what they see around them was designed by teams of engineers who had failures and had to redesign and retest before they got it right. Failure is ok. The process is a great model for using in any field, and any problem.

So, how can teachers incorporate more STEM into their classrooms?

Science teachers should discuss engineering careers and topics related to the subject that they are teaching. They should also explore some of the technology used in their discipline. Teach students the engineering design process as a way to solve problems. Math teachers can relate the math concepts to science and engineering applications. History, English, Music and Art teachers can all relate things that they are teaching in their class to a STEM subject. For example, in Art and Music there is a lot of physics and math in both that can be related. English teachers could have students read articles about science instead of other topics and even relate things in the books they are reading. History teachers could bring in how STEM has affected societies and the course of history. Teachers can even talk about fiction, TV, movies, and such and explore the STEM concepts, even the incorrect ones, in them.

Schools should also look to after school programs that deal with STEM topics such as CPEP, First Robotics, JETS and more. Many are self-funded so there is no cost to the schools.

There are a lot of great resources for teachers to use to find ideas, lesson plans, and other information to incorporate STEM into their classrooms. They do not have to do it alone and it does not have to take a lot of time or effort to incorporate STEM topics and ideas into any classroom.

STEM topics can be incorporated into any class, about any subject. If you are not a STEM teacher, ask someone who is for some ideas and help. Work together with other teachers to come up with some interdisciplinary projects and lessons. Have fun with it!

RESOURCES:

NASA Engineering Design Process – NASA’s definition and outline for the engineering design process

WPI Plan – WPI’s project based, integrated curriculum. Good model for all schools to use.

Simplified Version of Engineering Design Process

Discovery Education Siemens STEM Academy – great, free resource, with tons of information and lessons. – excellent resource.

Introduction to Engineering presentation – presentation I created for students that introduces them to engineering careers and concepts.

Engineering Interact Interactive – lessons for using engineering topics

High School STEM Resources from MIT

Science of Everyday Life – free resource from Discovery Education that has great ideas and resources for relating science to everyday life. – excellent resource.

Engineering Career Resources from CBIA (CT Business and Industry Assoc.) – free career descriptions, videos, and teacher resources on science, engineering and health careers. – excellent resource.

Science Channel’s Be The Future – resources, links, lesson plans, and more all about STEM.

Change the Equation – resources to improve teaching and learning in STEM

STEM Coalition – resources, links, lesson plans, and more for STEM Education. – excellent resource.

Pratt and Whitney – How a Jet Engine Works

NASA at Home and City – space developments related to life on Earth

Technology in Use in Engineering

PreK-12 Engineering – teaching engineering concepts in any grade

List of Engineering Resources to use in school with students. Lots of great resources listed here.

Ask Polaris – engineering career help and advice

Head Rush – great show on the Science Channel about science. Spin off from Mythbusters (another great way to get kids excited about science).

Forensics are another great way to get students excited about STEM subjects:

CSI The Experience Web Adventures - great resource

PhET – Online, free simulations and virtual labs for science and math

Share your resources with us!

iGenius this Sunday fetes Steve Jobs

Joe Brennan — Fri, 14 Oct 2011 16:44:55 +0000

This Sunday night on the Discovery Channel, Mythbusters Jamie and Adam spend an hour looking at the contributions and creative genius of Apple co-founder Steve Jobs: http://dsc.discovery.com/show-news/mythbusters-to-honor-steve-jobs.html

Connecticut Day of Discovery – Agenda – space is running out to register!

David Andrade — Wed, 12 Oct 2011 20:28:19 +0000

The Connecticut Day of Discovery is just over a week away and there is still space for you to join us!

The Discovery Educator Network Pre-CECA Conference Day of Discovery will be held on Saturday, October 22 from 8:00 am – 3:30 pm at the Lincoln Middle School in Meriden, CT. This is going to be an interactive day of free professional development which will highlight creative ways to engage students and invigorate your curriculum using the latest 21st century tools.

Dr. Lodge McCammon, a specialist in curriculum and media at the Friday Institute for Educational Innovation at North Carolina State University will be the featured presenter, along with many other talented educators. There will also be opportunity for you to participate in the Discovery Education Fall Virtual Conference that day.

There is NO COST to you to attend this event. Breakfast and lunch will be provided as well. Please check out the invitation and register today. You are encouraged to bring your own devices to the conference. Wireless access will be available.

There will be some great prizes and give-away’s also.

You can register at: http://cecadod.eventbright.com/

The full Agenda can be found here: https://denacctmanagement.box.net/shared/lvqqmb0a21ayn3xfo2xm

Young Scientists take the stage!

Joe Brennan — Tue, 04 Oct 2011 15:27:51 +0000

Step aside, American Idol!

Hundreds applied. Ten finalists were picked. Today is the day we’ve all been waiting for– the final challenge!
Join Discovery Education and 3M today as the 10 finalists compete for the prestigious title of America’s Top Young Scientist.
In just a few hours the 10 Discovery Education 3M Young Scientist Challenge finalists will take the stage! For the first time in Young Scientist Challenge history, the final presentations will be available via a live stream web cast.

You won’t want to miss this!

DATE: Today, Tuesday October 4. TIME: 2-4 PM ET.

LOCATION: 3M World HQ in Saint Paul, MN and classrooms across America.

LIVE STREAM URL: http://www.youngscientistchallenge.com/webcast