 |
Force and Motion: Stop Faking It! |
Constructivism and the Learning Cycle!
The first of two Web Seminars on the topic of Stop
Faking It! - Force and Motion was held on Thursday, November 17, 2005, from 6:30
p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern time. The session was presented by Bill
Robertson, author of the popular NSTA Press series of books Stop Faking It! - Finally Understanding Science So You
Can Teach It.
The session started with a general overview of the Web Seminar tools and how they
can be used to facilitate interaction between the participants and the presenter.
Forty-three participants were present in addition to Bill Robertson and the NSTA
staff. Educators represented the states of Alabama, Arkansas, California, Florida,
Georgia, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, New Hampshire, New
Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, Wisconsin, and Wyoming.
Bill talked about constructivism, the learning cycle, and how these two concepts
can be applied to teaching science in the classroom. Bill used the topic of density,
included in his book on Force and Motion, as context for the conversation. He started
the session by doing a simulation of constructivism. This exercise served as a good
refresher for those who had heard about constructivism at the face-to-face symposium
in Chicago and a perfect introduction to the topic to those who had never heard
about the concept. Then he proceeded to introduce the idea of the learning cycle
(engage, explore, explain) and how it fits into the familiar 5Es lesson design tool.
The session ended with descriptions of activities where the participants had to
use their acquired knowledge to identify each as examples of engage, explore, explain,
elaborate, and evaluate.
Throughout the presentation there were several opportunities for interactions among
the participants and presenter - answering poll questions, chatting, stamping, marking,
and interacting verbally with each other.
Here are some comments provided by the participants at the end of the Web Seminar:
- "I have taken many online classes and participated in a range of online workshops/seminars.
The format is exceptional; the tools add a constant interaction that keeps participants
involved, actively engaged, and overall, interested."
- "I really enjoy all these seminars and find them very useful. I hope that they
continue in the future."
- "The pace was fantastic and informative... My concerns were addressed."
- "This was great. I have never heard such a satisfactory explanation of constructivism
before. I finally "get" it and I will definitely apply it to my classroom!"
Thanks to the participants and Bill for the learning opportunity, the interactions,
and a job well done! Join us for the second Force and Motion: Stop Faking It! Web
Seminar scheduled to take place in February 1, 2006.
Web Seminar I Resources
Archive
See a recorded version of the Web Seminar.
PowerPoint Presentation
- PC Download: To view online select link below to display in browser.
To download PowerPoint slides to your desktop right click on the link below and
select "save target as" from the drop down menu.
- MAC Download: To download PowerPoint slides to your desktop control
+ click on the link below and select "Save Linked File As..."
Download File Web Seminar I
- PowerPoint Presentation
(304 kb)
Website
For more information contact webseminars@nsta.org
Back to Top
|
Underwritten in part by NSTA Press
|