Digital Tools Group 4 - Animations and Simulations

I have created a PMI of Animations and Simulations.

Plus

·         Complex interactions within the class

·         Can substitute ‘real life’ situations where not really possible to see. i.e. Movement of tectonic plates.

·         ‘Gizmos’ (ExploreLearning, 2011a) a tool where teachers can create simulations and use in their contexts of learning, as a ‘visual aide’ for years 3 to 12.

·         Educators say Gizmo is a very interactive tool within their classroom (ExploreLearning, 2011b)

·         Gizmos are effective for visual aides for any topic, especially science or mathematics. i.e. How plants grow, the Water Cycle, fractions in maths.

·         Can use animations and simulations as a learning game or activity (Education QLD, 2011)

·         Appropriate for learners that require visual/spatial concepts of learning.

·         With animations and simulations, you are able to manipulate variables.

·         Learners are able to explore with the tool, especially with Gizmos (ExploreLearning, 2011a)

Minus

·         Both animations and simulations do not constitute learning on their own, and still require efficient pedagogy to subside with this.

·         Some educators may be digital migrants, and have difficulty in understanding HOW to use these and HOW they may support and aide learning in the classroom.

·         Gizmos (ExploreLearning, 2011a) are not so simple to create if the educator has no experience. I myself, found it hard to create one, without continuously repeating the steps in creating one.

Interesting

·         Interactive Learning Objects (Ed. QLD) is a popular program used by teachers in Queensland. This site provides learning animations and simulation, including games and activities that registered schools and teachers are able to use in the classroom.

I would definitely use animations and simulations in my classroom such as Gizmos and Interactive Learning Objects, as these provide a visual aide for the context of the topic you may be teaching and learning really ‘comes alive’. Even though animations do not constitute learning on their own, the learners in the class will benefit from this tool as they are able to visualise their learning into what something is, or substitute for things you may not be able to do in the classroom, i.e. visit a volcano and the hot lava streams. Overall, this is a very sufficient pedagogic tool I would use to enhance my students learning in the classroom.

References:


Education Queensland., (2011). Smart Classrooms. Retrieved from http://education.qld.gov.au/smartclassrooms/


ExploreLearning., (2011a). Gizmos - Online Simulation. Retrieved from  http://www.explorelearning.com/ 


ExploreLearning., (2011b). What educators say about Gizmos. [Video File] Retrieved from http://www.explorelearning.com/index.cfm?method=cVideos.dspVideo&id=1