Science Learning Activities - Simulations Reviews
Review #1 - Trees
FOSSweb - Trees Simulation
Grades K-2
Personal Reactions: The graphics are visually appealing for the students. This simulation is little more than a memory game where the students have to match two of the same animal to learn about their habitat of living in a tree.
Ease of Use: The directions are in text and may need to be explained to some of the students that are still developing their reading skills. Once the simulation starts, it is easy for the students to click on the cards. The cards do unveil a short description of the animal that leaves in the tree. Some students may need help reading the text. It might be best to use this simulations in pairs of students. One student is a strong reader, the other is an emerging reader.
Educational Value: This simulation is best used as an additional resource to teaching habitats. It is not comprehensive enough to be the only resource the teacher uses. Also, it is not stand alone in the sense that a student may need guidance with the written directions to get started.
Grade Level Appropriateness: The theme habitats is a first grade Science requirement, so it is appropriate in terms of content, ease of use, and material.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books and more science websites can supplement this simulation. Also, students are learning how to use the mouse and progress through a simulation.
Ease of Use: The directions are in text and may need to be explained to some of the students that are still developing their reading skills. Once the simulation starts, it is easy for the students to click on the cards. The cards do unveil a short description of the animal that leaves in the tree. Some students may need help reading the text. It might be best to use this simulations in pairs of students. One student is a strong reader, the other is an emerging reader.
Educational Value: This simulation is best used as an additional resource to teaching habitats. It is not comprehensive enough to be the only resource the teacher uses. Also, it is not stand alone in the sense that a student may need guidance with the written directions to get started.
Grade Level Appropriateness: The theme habitats is a first grade Science requirement, so it is appropriate in terms of content, ease of use, and material.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books and more science websites can supplement this simulation. Also, students are learning how to use the mouse and progress through a simulation.
Review #2 - Plants
FOSSweb - Plants Simulation Grades K-2
Personal Reaction: The graphics are colorful and visually appealing. I like how the students is asked to select the seeds and view a time lapse animation of the plant growing. The explanations of the parts of the plants are written in text. It would be nice if there was audio to read the text for the student.
Ease of Use: The student has to read and follow directions and use the mouse to click and advance through the simulation.
Educational Value: This simulation can be a good start to introduce the unit on plants. Although it may be best for the teacher to introduce this simulation as a whole class, so that the teacher can read the text.
Grade Level Appropriateness: It is appropriate for the grade level, although emerging readers may struggle with the text.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books and websites can supplement instruction. Also, using the mouse to click and advance through the simulation is developing digital literacy.
Ease of Use: The student has to read and follow directions and use the mouse to click and advance through the simulation.
Educational Value: This simulation can be a good start to introduce the unit on plants. Although it may be best for the teacher to introduce this simulation as a whole class, so that the teacher can read the text.
Grade Level Appropriateness: It is appropriate for the grade level, although emerging readers may struggle with the text.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books and websites can supplement instruction. Also, using the mouse to click and advance through the simulation is developing digital literacy.
Review #3 - Living Systems
FOSSweb - Mammalian Circulatory System Grades 3-6
Personal Reaction: The first screen of this simulation is little more than text of the circulatory and respiratory systems of the human or animal. There is some simulation with arrows demonstrating blood flow, but little interaction for the student. The second screen requires the student to click on different particles that enter and exit the cells during blood flow. The simulation adds more to the explanation than a diagram would.
Ease of Use: The simulation is relatively easy for students to use since it just requires reading skills and being able to point and click a mouse.
Educational Value: This is a good simulation to demonstrate blood flow and to understand how blood flow affects our bodies. Good vocabulary words are used to explain the process.
Grade Level Appropriateness: The simulation is appropriate for the grade level. The text is understandable for the grade level and the technical requirements are not too involved.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books can supplement instruction on the human body.
Ease of Use: The simulation is relatively easy for students to use since it just requires reading skills and being able to point and click a mouse.
Educational Value: This is a good simulation to demonstrate blood flow and to understand how blood flow affects our bodies. Good vocabulary words are used to explain the process.
Grade Level Appropriateness: The simulation is appropriate for the grade level. The text is understandable for the grade level and the technical requirements are not too involved.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books can supplement instruction on the human body.
Review #4 - Food and Nutrition
FOSSweb - Food & Nutrition Grades 3-6
Personal Reaction: This simulation asks students to select foods that fit within a nutritional requirement. Students move the food to the plate to test if the meal falls within calorie and fat numbers. This simulation gets kids thinking about food and their meals.
Ease of Use: There is a lot of text for the directions, but it is appropriate for the grade level. The students have to use the mouse to point and drag the food to the plate or the dog if necessary. The sounds that accompany the simulation will make the students laugh.
Educational Value: There is value in using this simulation to teach health and nutrition, but only if there is instruction prior to using it. Calories, proteins, fats all have to be identified, defined, and demonstrated with foods so that the students will gain the full educational value of this simulation.
Grade Level Appropriateness: It is appropriate for the grades 3-6, but probably best for upper elementary.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books can supplement instruction on food and nutrition.
Ease of Use: There is a lot of text for the directions, but it is appropriate for the grade level. The students have to use the mouse to point and drag the food to the plate or the dog if necessary. The sounds that accompany the simulation will make the students laugh.
Educational Value: There is value in using this simulation to teach health and nutrition, but only if there is instruction prior to using it. Calories, proteins, fats all have to be identified, defined, and demonstrated with foods so that the students will gain the full educational value of this simulation.
Grade Level Appropriateness: It is appropriate for the grades 3-6, but probably best for upper elementary.
Relate to Project Theme: Library books can supplement instruction on food and nutrition.