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Interacting &

VISUALIZING

As you read last week in Smith & Kennett (2017): "...in science and math, visual displays and images are abundant and serve the purpose of illuminating otherwise invisible processes, such as cell mitosis or evolution, and illustrating variants of scale of natural world phenomena, such as the levels of a rain forest. From videos to interactive models and diagrams, vast repertoires of dynamic images have not only become accessible to instructors but also learners and instructors alike can search, compare, and manipulate multiple free resources. Interactive tools allow users to interact with visualizations--varying the inputs of basic equations and databases to test changes that such manipulations make." However, it is not just in STEM fields that visualizations and digital interactives can help students experience and experiment. This challenge is designed to help you explore new ways to use technology to allow students to interact with and visualize concepts and processes in your discipline. You will add ideas and tools to a course Wakelet and then identify one tool to develop into a learning experience. Follow the steps below to complete the challenge.

Man Writing

To Annotate

  1. Simulations are an effective way to increase interactivity in the classroom. Read Kent State University's "Simulation as a Teaching Strategy" Create at least two annotations and reply to at least two of your colleagues' annotations using Hypothes.is. (Again, make sure when you make these annotations that you have chosen to post them in our class annotation group. You will have to toggle from Public to TCH 432 Summer 2021 at the top of Hypothes.is options.) If you are annotating prior to your colleagues' posts, make sure to come back in a couple of days to engage in the conversation. 

Scouting

To Explore

  1. Peruse and play with some of the interactive visualization tools that could be used in Music & STEM (including FCS) classrooms. (There are interactives for other disciplines as well!)

    1. Music Composition: Soundtrap

      1. Add a track (a digitally produced line of music) to a TCH432 Collaboration Experiment to try out how this works. You just need to create a free account and then dive in and try it out!

    2. Systems Thinking: Loopy

    3. Social Studies (Geography) & Math Data visualization):  GapMinder (especially DollarStreet and Try our New Tools)

    4. AI and Virtual Reality for Language Learning (This costs money, but you can watch the intro video free): Mondly

    5. STEM: PhET Interactive Simulations

    6. Across Disciplines & Grades: ReadWriteThink Student Interactives

Fine Woodshop

To Create

When students are active, hands-on learners, they are more likely to retain their learning and have a deeper understanding. This is particularly important when studying complex concepts. Think about an abstract or complex concept that you teach in your chosen discipline. Then, complete this challenge:

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  1. Begin by exploring the tools and teaching ideas that are available online. Use search terms such as visualization tools for math, interactive technologies for social studies, simulation in language arts, or virtual reality in music. Identify at least five resources that can help teach a concept in your discipline. These can be specific tools or lesson ideas using technology.

  2. Add your finds to our class Wakelet. (Note: Please make sure you aren't duplicating what others have already added.) Underneath each addition, note how you see the tool or idea working in your class.

  3. Select one of the tools or ideas that you want to develop more in order to teach the abstract or complex concept. Develop a presentation that outlines your idea. Consider posting an example that illustrates what this might look like for your students. Or create the instructions/introduction that you would give to your students.

  4. Create a blog post that includes links to your presentation. Provide any additional information you think others need in order to fully understand your lesson experience. Be sure to tag it as an Interacting & Visualizing post. Comment on at least two of your classmates' posts.

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