Science Data-logging Experiment (Part II)

This is a highly time-consuming outdoor lesson involving the use of ICT, before, during and after.

Before lesson
1) Borrow the dataloggers from Mr Leow.
2) Remove the batteries from the PDAs for charging.
3) Replace all the 'AAA' batteries in the dataloggers.
4) Reinstall the batteries into the PDA and test the functionality of all the PDAs and dataloggers as a whole.
5) Install the Addestation software into my laptop.
6) Test the connectivity between the datalogger and my laptop.
7) Re-familiarise with the functionality of the software.
8) Demonstrate and train the pupils on the use of the dataloggers.
9) Carry out a trial experiment.
10) Repeat step 1-4 in preparation for the actual lesson.
11) Search for photos of plants and animals found @ the pond, the tree and the field.
12) Develop these photos and cut them into appropriate size.
13) Re-format lesson plan as demanded by the VP.
14) Prepare PPT and print handouts for lesson.
15) Brief and remind pupils of appropriate conduct, and expected response should the gadgets fail etc., before the show.
16) Remind pupils to bring digital cameras and glue.

During lesson
1) Draw out 39 x laptops, chargers, mouse and extension cables from different locations.
2) Assign reliable pupils in distribution of PCs and brief the rest on the order of laptop collection.
3) Deal with internet connectivity and PC loggin issues.
4) Remind pupils of appropriate conduct, and expected response should the gadgets fail.
5) Re-teach the use of the dataloggers.
6) Re-cap the topics on 'Environment'.
7) Show begins.
8) Brave the hot and humid weather for about 30mins, while taking photos and managing pupils' behavioural issues.
9) Discuss and analyse the data collected by various groups.
10) Complete the questions in the AB.
11) Deal with incessant talkings upon return from eco-garden. Everyone was feeling hot, agitated and restless after the 30-min exposure to the sun.
12) Proceed with situational writing using the laptops.

After lesson
1) Debrief on what has been done well, and what has not.
2) Collect, account for and return laptops, chargers, mouse and extension cables to their respective 'homes'.
3) Ensure that the dataloggers are in the conditions in which they were received.
4) Check the return of dataloggers.
5) Download and mark the emails.
6) Mark all the activity books and assign learning log as homework.
7) Go through the discrepancies and verify the reasonableness of the data collected, after marking.
8) Collect all learning log the next day for marking.
9) Upload photos taken during the experiment onto the class blog.
10) Write all the things-I-did here.

Do it again? Not for the next few years. =)

But u will probably see dataloggers again in sec schs.

I have decided! I am going to teach P3 next year! (",)

The Day I Went Blind for Two Hours ("!)

This innovative activity, held in conjunction with Eye Care Week 2010, is conjured by none others than yours truly, errh... hmmph, me. =D

We are pleased to have two guinea PIGs, Siying & Joshua, who gladly volunteered their eyes despite being told of the 'dangers' of this 'life-threatening' activity. (".)

Special thanks to Siying's buddy, Joe, and Joshua's buddy, Alicia, for their patience and guidance during the taunting two hours.

The whole activity was really funny. xD

Though the week may be over, we must not overlook the importance of looking after our eyesight.

Click here to learn more about your eyes and how we can better look after this precious sense of ours. =)

I will post up their reflections here when they are done. Stay tune!

Science Data-logging Experiment

This afternoon's Science experiment focuses on outdoor experential learning with the use of dataloggers.

Hope u have learnt one thing or another today. We will be using it once more next week, and afterwhich, u will probably see it again only in sec schs. =P

WHAT IS DATA-LOGGING?

Data-logging is when the computer records information about its surrounding environment. This could be the temperature, the amount of light or sound, atmospheric pressure, humidity etc.

BENEFITS OF DATA LOGGING

1) offer a fun and unique way of learning Science (as compared to textbook-only learning approaches),

2) provide pupils with opportunities to use present-day technology,

3) broaden the range of scientific learning experiences for pupils, as data logger can be used both inside and outside the classroom,

4) stimulate pupils’ higher order thinking skills through analyzing and evaluating the graphs,

5) add more realism and provide pupils with ownership of data, hence pupils take it more seriously,

6) offer time and labour saving.

Comments by Bill Gates

Love him or hate him, he sure hits the nail on the head with this!

Bill Gates gave a speech at a High School in 2009 about eleven things they did not and will not learn in school. He talks about how feel-good, politically correct teachings created a generation of kids with no concept of reality and how this concept set them up for failure in the real world.


Rule 1: Life is not fair - get used to it!

Rule 2: The world won't care about your self-esteem. The world will expect you to accomplish something BEFORE you feel good about yourself.

Rule 3: You will NOT make $60,000 a year right out of high school. You won't be a vice-president with a car phone until you earn both.

Rule 4: If you think your teacher is tough, wait till you get a boss.

Rule 5: Flipping burgers is not beneath your dignity. Your Grandparents had a different word for burger flipping: they called it opportunity.

Rule 6: If you mess up, it's not your parents' fault, so don't whine about your mistakes, learn from them.

Rule 7: Before you were born, your parents weren't as boring as they are now. They got that way from paying your bills, cleaning your clothes and listening to you talk about how cool you thought you were. So before you save the rain forest from the parasites of your parent's generation, try delousing the closet in your own room.

Rule 8: Your school may have done away with winners and losers, but life HAS NOT. In some schools, they have abolished failing grades and they'll give you as MANY TIMES as you want to get the right answer. This doesn't bear the slightest resemblance to ANYTHING in real life.

Rule 9: Life is not divided into semesters. You don't get summers off and very few employers are interested in helping you FIND YOURSELF. Do that on your own time.

Rule 10: Television is NOT real life. In real life people actually have to leave the coffee shop and go to jobs.

Rule 11: Be nice to nerds. Chances are you'll end up working for one.

If you agree, pass it on.

If you can read this - Thank a teacher!

National Museum of Singapore

This completed our first full-strength class excursion to the National Museum of Singapore (NMS), after the DNA workshop @ AJC and LJ to the Zoo. =D

Though this is my 4th visit to NMS since 2006, I look forward to it. I like the serenity & tranquility there, and is definitely best enjoyed with companions of the same interest to discover the history of Singapore.

Frankly, I feel that the programme can be better. Faster-paced activities and more walk-about in the gallery. I find the sit-down in The Lab too long, though we derived important and valuable information from it.

The most interesting segment has to be the role-play. I missed the first part and caught only the one between Samantha (as grassroot leader) and Ezekiel (as citizen). I must say it was really funny. (",) Samantha was composed at first, trying to convince Ezekiel that NS was necessary. But Ezekiel was a difficult citizen who opposed the idea of his son, Mitchel, serving NS. Obviously, Ezekiel was too much for Samantha to handle and she turned nasty. xD

We left the museum 25 minutes behind the scheduled time and I had to persuade the security to allow the school bus to wait at the alighting bay when it arrived at 12noon.

What's next? I am not sure if we will be going to Science Centre eco-garden for its "Aquatic Plants & Animals" programme.

Else it will be the P6 motivational programme in the first week of June. Last year, I organised an Amazing Race for 6.7 @ Sentosa. This year, I am not so sure since Sentosa has changed greatly after the opening of Resort World Sentosa (RWS).

But the most important of all, the teacher himself is not motivated this year, in fact disappointed (not with the class). Who's going to motivate him first?

Public Speaking - Day 3

This is the third day of the public speaking for our class. Ryan Lai had to play lone ranger, as Nishtha went missing in action (MIA) today. I hope her tummy ache has nothing to do with the sharing. ("!)

My first impression of Ryan, when I first saw him in 2008, was that of a outspoken and possibly a troublesome boy. But he is neither. I realised this during the one-week trip to Chennai, India.

Later I discovered that he could speak intelligently, but is a very shy boy. Though he could amuse me greatly with his witty thoughts and comments, he was afraid of approaching the tourists to conduct surveys at the Singapore Flyer.

Today, he displayed the same characteristics - shyness. His shyness brought about the nervousness that was visible to all. It is definitely not easy to speak in front of an audience, yet he accepted the assignment when chosen to. This is courage.

I am confident that with more frequent exposure, this fear can be overcome. It can also be reduced if one prepares well for the presentation. Trailers are good tuning-in or concluding techniques that we can use for our presentation. But keep in mind that all these and more should be done beforehand to avoid any unexpected circumstances that could jeopardise the sharing.

Tomorrow, Thursday, we will be off to the National Museum of Singapore (NMS). Ryan Tan and Valery who have been scheduled for this day will resume on another. The date will be confirmed later.

The last two speakers on Friday are Zhi Hao and Hilary. Stay tune! (",)