A Collection of Web Resources
There are a large number of resources available for teaching science on the Internet today. These are some of my favorites, and the list is especially rich in animations that skilled teachers can use to support their instruction.
These resources were selected to as they represent two important lessons for science teachers as they seek to use computer technology to engage students with scientific principles:
1) One of the common (and deadly) uses of "SmartBoards" in the science classroom is as a projection screen for PowerPoint presentations to "integrate technology" into their classrooms. By using some of the animations and simulation linked below, science teachers have students manipulate sliders and similar controls to change variables. Such full-body control systems has been correlated with student engagement!
2) Because the resources are web-based, students (and anyone else) has greater access to the resources away from your classroom. Students can visit the sites again and again to have important points reinforced or to check for forgotten details.
> A small collection of active figures
> Absorb Learning has a large (hundreds!) of animations available
> This companion to one of the intro physics texts is good for those with ShockWave installed
> Here is a collection of entertaining physics lectures/ demonstrations from the University of Wisconsin (check this out-- Bill Nye for older kids!)
> A companion to a physical science text
> Wolfram Demonstrations -- The K-12 site is here
> Here is a huge database of 3D molecular models
> Here is a similar collection of molecules of biological importance
> This last one shows energy levels
> Need any more chem models? Check out this list of sites.
> A collection of simple physics simulations
> The University of Oregon has a collection of physics applets
> Prentice-Hall maintains this collection of virtual biology experiments
> The HHMI Biointeractive site is amazing!
> Indiana University has a virtual human anatomy lab
> Niagara County Community College has another
> Google Earth puts the world at you fingertips.
> Here is a site with ideas and resources for teaching Earth science with visualizations
> The Digital Library for Earth System Education