Second draft of my Guiding Principles

Sorry had to do it!



After reading a bit more in our text and exploring some simulations I made some fairly significant changes to my Guiding Principles for WebTools

1) Must help my students be prepared for the "flat world" meaning on par and competitive with children from around the globe (China and India, etc.). Would like our use of web tools to contribute to the science education community. Use of technology in the science classroom should be bridging the disconnect between what the kids are doing at school and what they are doing at home. Use of technology in the science classroom should be taking advantage of technology’s power to engage student participation and interest.



2)Should help "students engage in science learning they could not otherwise do without technology?” Using technology in ways that are consistent with appropriate pedagogy, including opportunities for inquiry learning. This should not replace a proven exercise if it is not going to expand and enhance the understanding of the content. Things that are done well in a hands on lab setting should not be sacrificed for a technology based exercise unless it will be more engaging and eventually lead to better mastery of content.


3)Use of technology in the science classroom should be should be collaborative. The collaboration must be healthy while keeping boundaries and keeping the communications appropriate. Use of technology in the science classroom should be should be emphasizing the use of data, analysis, collection, both produced by students and by scientists? All this while keeping the focus on the science content rather than the mechanics of the technology.



4)Use of technology in the science classroom should be using technology in ways that allow teachers and students to do what would otherwise be difficult to do without technology. It is very important as well that when using technology it needs to be a better use of time than the traditional activity I might be replacing.