SCI 150
McConnell F11
Reflection – Technology Integration in Science Classrooms
In class on 10/11/11, you saw a basic use of technology to support student inquiry, and we
discussed the unique role of technology in the science classroom.
Write your reflections on this activity in a paper that addresses the following questions:

What types of technology do you remember using in your high school science
courses? Which ones did you feel were most helpful to you?

What types of student-centered technology do you think would be most appropriate
for your specific science subject? This may include probeware, but it might include
other tools.

How well prepared to you think you are for using the technology you listed for your
subject? How will you learn how to use these tools?
Your reflection should be about 1-2 pages long, and should be posted to your portfolio by
October 25 at the start of class.
SCI 150
McConnell F11
I took a variety of science classes during my four years of high school. I took biology,
earth and space, chemistry, and physics. Each of the teachers of these classes used similar
and different forms of technology in his or her classroom. All of my science teachers used
PowerPoint presentation software and projectors to give lecture notes; additionally, my
science teachers made review games using PowerPoint presentations. My science teachers
also used different forms of technology in each class. For biology, my teacher made us use
microscopes frequently to study different cells. My earth and space teacher made us make
videos about weather forecasts using video cameras. She also used a VHS/DVD player to
show us videos. My chemistry teacher used even more technology for his class. He let us
use Bunsen burners, thermometers, and VHS/DVD players. My physics teacher used the
most amount of technology in his class. He used capacitors, electric circuits, air cars,
rockets, demonstrations over the Internet, catapults, lasers, and several other objects that I
do not remember the name of.
Some of these forms of technology were more helpful than others in helping me to
understand the information being provided. The microscopes that were used in my biology
class were very helpful because I was able to see what a cell really looked like. The
technology my physics teacher used to demonstrate physical properties helped me see how
objects really behaved. I believe the demonstrations he showed over the Internet were the
most helpful.
I think there are several different forms of student-centered technology that would
be appropriate for my classroom. I could use temperature probes, interactive software
over the Internet, computers, iPads, Bunsen burners, laptops, spreadsheet, word
SCI 150
McConnell F11
processing, and presentation software, video cameras, digital cameras, VHS/DVD players,
flash drives, Mobi tablets, and a distillation set.
I feel that I am comfortable using most of this technology. I am proficient in word
processing, spreadsheet, and presentational software; however, if a different form of
software would need to be used in the classroom, I believe that I would be able to figure out
the functions of the system by checking it out for a couple of hours, or I could contact the
manufacturer and see if they would have any tips for me. I have also used laptops, video
cameras and digital cameras in the past and believe that I would be able to easily pick up on
the functions of these devices. I have owned and used VHS/DVD players and feel very
comfortable using them. I have used a Mobi tablet in the past for a high school math class;
however, I am not as comfortable using it. To help me understand the device a little better,
I would read the instructions that would have came with the device, I would also use it for a
couple of hours to help me get the hang of using it in a classroom, and if there were any
other questions I would have, I would contact the manufacturer of the Mobi tablet and ask
for help in using the device. I have never used an iPad, although I know some schools are
starting to use iPads in place of textbooks. I would take home one of the iPads and
experiment with it, and I would see if I could determine anything that may become a
problem for my students. I am also not comfortable using a distillation set because I never
personally used one in my past experience. I would research the process of using a
distillation set; I would then practice using the set until I felt comfortable answering
questions that students will ask when working with this set. I have used some interactive
software over the Internet before; however, I would still use the program myself first to
become better acquainted with the software before I would let my students use it.
SCI 150
McConnell F11
I have had many science classes in high school; additionally, I used several similar
and differing forms of technology in each class. Some of these forms of technology were
helpful while others were not as helpful. I think that there are several different forms of
technology that I could incorporate into my science class. Some of these forms of
technology are very familiar to me; however, some are not as familiar. I would have to
practice with the technology on my own first as a way to better understand the technology.
I would also contact the manufacturer or perform a research over the form of technology.