Simulation to Teach Science Skills
After reading Oblio Tech's blog on Training Simulations, I was intrigued about the video, Simulation Nation from the George Lucas Educational Foundation's Edutopia site. As I was watching the video, I noted that students from the McKinley High School segment were reviewing a simulation from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute's Virtual Labs. The simulation's purpose was to show the "science and techniques used to identify different types of bacteria based on their DNA sequences."
I am very excited about this Virtual Lab. I received a Toyota Tapestry mini grant for next year in which my students will be working with faculty and graduate students from the University of Florida's Microbiology and Cell Science Department as they study biotechnology. One part of the grant includes completing a biotechnology lab at UF in which my students will learn/use the skills demonstrated in the HHMI's Virtual Bacterial ID Lab. What an awesome tool this simulation will be as a pre-lab activity. Students will have a much better understanding of the processes they will be performing as well as an idea of the equipment that they will be using.
I was particular pleased with the extension on the virtual lab in which bioinformatic databases were utilized in the actual identification of the bacterium based on the genetic sequence of the nucleotides. A huge area in genetics is genomics, which is "the study of genes and their function. Genomics aims to understand the structure of the genome, including the mapping of genes and sequencing the DNA." (online Medical Dictionary) This is a field of genetics that is increasing exponentially with all of the new technologies available to researchers and with the completion of the Human Genome Project in 2003.
I foresee many possibilities for utilizing this site not only for our 9-week biotechnology unit, but also as we look at evolution and infectious diseases. As I browsed through the site, I found that all of its materials are FREE! I ordered 4 DVDs including the 5 animations that are online, Evolution:Constant Change & Common Thread and Potent Biology: Stem Cells, Cloning, and Regeneration.
posted by Mickey MacDonald @ 5:36 PM
2 Comments
2 Comments:
Thanks for the “shout out” to my Oblio Tech
Blog. The Edutopia website is so deep with information. I think that it’s becoming one of my favorite places to explore. It sounds like your students have an incredible opportunity to work with new technologies and a forward looking teacher that’s willing to push boundaries. Good luck to you!
On your suggestion I checked out edutopia and found an article by one of my favorite web authors, Marc Prensky. He writes in the "Simulation Nation", (http://www.edutopia.org/magazine/ed1article.php?id=Art_1794&issue=mar_07) that simulation is not a new phenomena. I recall playing "Flight Simulator" on my Commodore 64 in the mid 80's. He notes that astronatus, airline pilots, and other careers use simulators. I use it to gain CEU's for my EMT recertification.
Suffice to say, use of simulator in the science classroom (like froguts.com) is a great way to apply real life skills, but give all students a level playing field to do so. (See my recent post on social justice on my blog!)
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home