Science In-Between

In this episode, Scott and Ollie discuss the Processes, Principles, and Practices that inform the integration of technology into our face-to-face, online and remotes classrooms. We share a some "design principles" about creating effective learning environments that are embedded in learning theory. We also promised that we'd include the definition of "reify" in the show notes:

reify (verb) - to make (something abstract) more concrete or real.

Things that bring us joy:
Scott Pilgrim vs. The World
Nina SImone

Intro/Outro Music: Notice of Eviction by Legally Blind (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Legally_Blind)
Production assistance by Enzo Dreon

We talk about how to think about supporting science teachers as they learn and also the complexities of managing groups of learners in a remote context. We also address some of the issues of digital records of learning and the implications of the shift to remote contexts. We recognize that getting coherence in this brave new world is hard and that technology is often built on outdated models of learning.

Things we mention:
State of Illinois Remote Learning Recommendations

Things that bring us joy:
The Old Guard Graphic Novel
The Old Guard Movie

Intro/Outro Music: Notice of Eviction by Legally Blind (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Legally_Blind)
Production assistance by Enzo Dreon

In this discussion of virtual and face-to-face grouping in science classes, Scott and Ollie examine some practices that promote more participation in online spaces. Beyond an "esoteric" analysis of online interaction, we discuss how we use different technologies to get groups of students to engage with one another and with course content.

Links to things we mention in this episode:
The reason Zoom class drain your energy
What is a CSV file?
Moore's Theory of Transactional Distance

In each episode, we share "things that bring us joy." This week, that includes:
Oceanhorn 2
Leaders Eat Last

Intro/Outro Music: Notice of Eviction by Legally Blind (https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Legally_Blind)
Production assistance by Enzo Dreon

This week we talk about how to think about the laboratory experience in online, remote, and mixed mode environments. What is the difference between things that can't normally be done in a classroom that you might use even in face to face environments, and things that are replacements for thing that you would have done face to face where you are using video to show the procedure of a lab and then giving students access to date. The key is to provide experiences that open up opportunities for kids to reason about phenomena, not just follow a procedure.

Here are some key resources for supporting investigations in online science teaching:

Concord Consortium
PhET Simulations
MERLOT
Hippocampus

We are working on a website with an annotated clearinghouse of resources that we have vetted. Hope to have it up soon.

Things that bring us joy this week:
Qwirkle
Ticket to Ride
Bananagrams
Chronology

Intro/Outro Music: Notice of Eviction by Legally Blind
Production assistance by Enzo Dreon

Prompted by an activity that Ollie did with one of his classes, Ollie and Scott discuss their "origin stories" and detail how they became teachers. As Scott explains early in the episode, we deconstruct these stories to examine the bigger question "What do we teach?" Students? Or content? Both?

Things that bring us joy this week:
East of West
Documentary Now; In particular, Season 1 episode named "A Town, A Gangster, A Festival".

Intro/Outro Music: Notice of Eviction by Legally Blind
Production assistance by Enzo Dreon