Using Technology in the Elementary Classroom


MOUSETRAP B UIL D I NG A BETTE R


What could be more fun than scrounging through a box of ‘stuff’ to find materials to make an invention or to build a contraption? How about using the computer and the Internet to experiment with virtual materials! There are more and more interactive web sites popping up that can give your students practice in problem solving, visual thinking, and learning via exploration. Let’s take a look at a few of them. How do they fit into your Science/Engineering curriculum?


1. Fantastic Contraption www.fantasticcontraption.com • Grade 1+ Student needs to build a machine (aka contraption) with assorted tools to move a pink object into the pink goal. Start with the simple tutorial to show you just how this site works. The tutorial works nicely in a whole group/small group


setting at an interactive whiteboard before moving to individual computers for single students or pairs to try solving each of the 11 levels. Register (need email) to keep track of your level scores. Registration not mandatory. Available for iPad ($). Want more? Fantastic Contraption2 http://www.sparkworkz.com/fc2/


2. TinkerBall


www.inventionatplay.org/playhouse_tinker.html • Grade 1+ Move objects to get the ball into the cup. Limited supply of strange but creative objects (just like in real life!). No tutorial needed – just move and rotate objects. No one ‘right’ way – experiment to see what individuals come up with! No penalties for trying over and over. No registration.


3. LaunchBall


www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/educators/classroom_and_homework_resources/ resources/launchball.aspx/ • Grade 5+ 30 levels of problems to solve. Start by testing to observe what happens. Then place a variety of block-containing tools and test again. Roll your mouse over objects for information about them (e.g.: This copper block conducts heat and glows red when hot. It also conducts electricity.) Timer tracks how fast you solve the problem. After 1 minute, it will offer a


hint. Students can also create their own levels. If you save a level, you will receive a code to return to that level. Lots of science/ engineering to apply!


18 | Roller Coaster Designer


http://puzzling.caret.cam.ac.uk/game.php?game=roller FossWeb Roller Coaster Builder


www.fossweb.com/modulesK-2/BalanceandMotion/activities/rollercoaster.html Spark Roller Coaster


www.abc.net.au/spark/games/rollercoaster.htm Park World Plot


www.engineeringinteract.org/resources/parkworldplot.htm


There are enough interactive physics games here to set up a different one on each classroom computer, giving students a choice and opportunity for learning the ‘rules’ of physics! Remember, these sites are creative, enticing, and full of exploratory learning, but should not take the place of real hands-on experiences.


Marilyn Western is the 2008 MACUL Teacher of the Year, a former member of the MACUL Board of Directors, a Discovery Educator Network (DEN) scholar, and a Mt. Pleasant Public Schools 5th/6th grade computer lab teacher. Outside of the classroom, she has worked as the 1998-99 MDE Technology Using Educator on Loan, a MI Champions course designer and instructor, a technology trainer for Clare Gladwin RESD, Gratiot Isabella RESD and Bay Arenac ISD, a national presenter for the Bureau of Education & Research, and a district Tech Guru. She can be reached via mwestern@edzone.net.


FALL 2012 | MACULJOURNAL


4.PhysicsGames.net www.physicsgames.net/ • Grade 3+


A clearinghouse of 200+ games based on the properties of physics. A variety of game types: block removal, construction,


demolition, platform, projectile, and stacking. Some start with an advertisement. Each game offers a tutorial. Each game comes with an embed code that you can use to put the game directly on your web site/blog/wiki: a nice way to ‘direct’ students to a particular game as the main page can be overwhelming. These activities would be fun on an interactive white board and a great learning opportunity during indoor recess or when finished with work.


5. Roller Coaster Designers 5+ For students studying force and motion, these sites will give lots of experience in exploring track heights, shapes, and dips to create the ultimate thrill ride.


By Marilyn Western


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