My E-Portfolio

Modelling & Simulation

Modeling and simulation are a discipline for developing a level of understanding of the interaction of the parts of a system, and of the system as a whole. The level of understanding which may be developed via this discipline is seldom achievable via any other discipline.

Modeling is the expression of one’s ideas by constructing one’s own model. Modeling is a simplified representation of the actual system intended to promote understanding. Whether a model is a good model or not depends on the extent to which it promotes understanding. Since all models are simplifications of reality there is always a trade-off as to what level of detail is included in the model. If too little detail is included in the model, one runs the risk of missing relevant interactions and the resultant model does not promote understanding. If too much detail is included in the model, the model may become overly complicated and actually preclude the development of understanding. Modeling by using ICT will enable students to explore the effects of changing data and relationships of physical systems, thus helping students to understand the phenomena involved. Besides that, it also can increase the accuracy and reliability of experiments. Examples of modeling are a 3D diagram of a water molecule, atomic models made from coloured spheres and also a video of osmosis of water molecules with the voice over.

The meaning of simulation is the exploration of existing models. A simulation generally refers to a computerized version of the model which is run over time to study the implications of the defined interactions. Simulations are generally iterative in there development. One develops a model, simulates it, learns from the simulation, revises the model, and continues the iterations until an adequate level of understanding is developed. ICT can uniquely illustrate scientific concepts with the use of high quality multimedia simulation and enabling students to interact, reflect and also develop their knowledge and understanding. By stimulation, it can provide a concrete visual experience of the abstract, investigating life processes which are far too lengthy like the growth of baby in womb, study complex interaction, stimulate dangerous and costly experiment and also to make invisible visible.

As the conclusion, simulation and modeling help us to learn in a better understanding rather than reading the notes in the book. We cannot visualize such for a complex reaction written in the book but with modeling, we can see it in 3D form. Other than that, the voice over in the simulation also can help us in right pronunciation of some words that we may not familiar with.

ICT in Science

Learning with the technology means focusing on how the technology can be the means to learning ends across the curriculum. It includes presentation, demonstration, curriculum specific applications, simulations, tutorials, visualizations and graphical representations of abstract concepts. This is what we call ICT - Information and communication in technologies.

In this semester, I am taking SSI 3013 (ICT in Science) which helps me to learn many things like blogging (creating an e-portfolio), data logging, the use of interactive whiteboard (IWB) and also apply the internet based application (email, Skype, Google doc and scribd). From what I have learned, ICT is very important to science students because it helps a lot. For instance is in preparing experiment plans, reports and questionnaire by using word processor like Microsoft Word and Microsoft Excel. Besides that, the students can use database and program to organize, store and analysis the survey result, whereas spreadsheet program is for storing and analyzing record kept in a table.

Other than that, science requires us to visualize something rather than reading only on a text for better understanding. By using ICT, we can draw graphs and create mathematical models to test our ideas by using spreadsheet program or data logging. Otherwise, we also can use a graphic program to create a diagram to see if our ideas will work or not. One of the advantages of using ICT is students are able to do several experiments and observations directly in activities involving field work or in long duration. In addition, more learning time spent for students to engage in activities such as analyzing, synthesizing or exploring results of experiments on the relevant concept compared to traditional learning. This usage of technology also provides students for more accurate data.

However, will ICT replace the teacher? The answer is a resounding NO. In fact, with the introduction of ICT in the classroom, the teacher’s role in the learning process becomes even more critical. What can and should change is the kind of role that the teacher plays. The role of students, in turn, also expands. And since ICT can open up the classroom to the outside world, the community can also play a new role in the classroom. As learning shifts from the “teacher-centered model” to a “learner-centered model”, the teacher becomes less the sole voice of authority and more the facilitator, mentor and coach which is from “sage on stage” to “guide on the side”. The teacher’s primary task becomes to teach the students how to ask questions and pose problems, formulate hypotheses, locate information and then critically assess the information found in relation to the problems posed. And since ICT enhanced learning is a new experience even for the teachers, the teachers become co-learners and discover new things along with their students. Thus, we as a science teacher-to-be must be familiar with using ICT applications, apply the use of ICT in the classroom and recognize the potential of ICT for supporting and enhancing learning in the classroom. So, we will be well-prepared as well.

Interactive Whiteboard (IWB)

Do you know what IWB is? Perhaps you've heard of some of their brand names like SMART Board, ActivBoard and eBeam are some of the most widely used at this time. Now, let me tell you what IWB is actually. IWB is the short form of Interactive Whiteboard. It is a large interactive display that connects to a computer and projector. A projector projects the computer's desktop onto the board's surface where users control the computer using a pen, finger, stylus, or other device. The board is typically mounted to a wall or floor stand. Similar to the way in which PDAs or smartphones are calibrated, an IWB must be oriented so that where the user presses on the board, is accurately represented on the screen. Some boards, such as the SMART Board, are touch-sensitive, and others rely on an invisibly gridded whiteboard and an electronic pen.

The cost for IWB is very expensive and we know that some school do not afford to but one. But, for me IWB has many advantages for the student during their learning session. Thus, I am totally agreed if all school in Malaysia can have interactive whiteboard for each class. It provides ways to show students anything which can be presented on a computer's desktop like educational software, web sites, and others. In addition, IWB allow teachers to record their instruction and post the material for review by students at a later time. This can be a very effective instructional strategy for students who benefit from repetition, who need to see the material presented again, for students who are absent from school, for struggling learners, and for review for examinations.

Moreover, by using IWB, teachers can directly touch the interactive whiteboard to control everything during the teaching instead of standing in front of the laptop, teaching, and go here and there. This is because the IWB emulates both mouse and keyboard. The teacher can conduct a presentation or a class almost exclusively from the whiteboard. It can also make the teaching and learning session becomes more collaborative and interactive as students can come to the front and do the activity on the IWB. If teachers are unaware of the features of an IWB and how they link to an interactive pedagogy, often times the IWB becomes nothing more than a technological teaching aid.

In my opinion, in order for IWBs to have their greatest positive influence on student learning and achievement, an interactive school culture is needed. A culture that embraces change and embodies a positive attitude or “buy in” to the idea of transforming teaching and learning through IWB use, provides the foundation on which the other parts of the framework are developed. If senior school officials are successful in providing a clear understanding as to what is involved in creating an interactive IWB culture, then positive IWB effects are more likely. The culture needs to be one that is shared by all school stakeholders including administrators, teachers, staff, students, and parents. To help in creating this culture, teachers need to be given the training and time to explore the IWB and its uses. Therefore, for IWB to have the greatest effect on teaching and learning, the total cost of an implementation is likely to go beyond the cost of IWB equipment alone.

Data Logger

A data logger is an electronic device that records data over time or in relation to location either with a built in instrument sensor or via external instruments and sensors. This is the instrument where I was introduced to in my ICT class. After doing an experiment by using data logger, I have discovered that it has many advantages compared to the manual method. One of them is the experiment can be start or repeated at any time. Besides that, it also can use more than one sensor during the experiment. It is not limited to only one sensor at a time. For example, we can use temperature and humidity sensor together during our experiment of transpiration. We also observed that the temperature was measured accurately because it read until 0.001°C and this same goes to humidity reading. Moreover, if we do a manual experiment, we have to measure the time taken by using stopwatch right? But with data logger, it can measure time with 0.1s. We can see how accurate the data is. The other advantage is the data recorded in the data logger can be directly transferred into the computer to be analyzed.

However, data logger also has some disadvantages. We know that it is quite expensive, thus if it break down, there will be a problem to us to repair it because for sure the repair cost might also high. Data logger can be charged instead of using it direct from the plug, but it might out of battery power if we use it for a few hours.

Anything might have the advantage and disadvantages. But, a data logger has many benefits to us as a student. It helps us to run the experiment and get the data accurately. So, I suggest that this data logger must be used by the students in school. The experiment will be done in short time and the errors are not too much compared to manual method. The students also will be interested in doing the experiment such for a short time rather than waiting for some minutes or maybe hours to get the result.