Unit 1: Introduction to Simulations and BIOinteractive

Return to:

• ETAP 623 Spring 2021 (Byrne)
• Integrating Online Multimedia Simulations from BIOinteractive into a Secondary Biology Classroom
• Tara Manchio's Project Portfolio Page

An example of a BIOinteractive Simulation for students to learn about population dynamics

What Will I Learn in Unit 1?

This is the introduction to the BIOinteractive website where learners will explore the features on the platform. They will engage in navigating through various modules to become familiar with what this website has to offer and also learn about the purpose of these multimedia platforms. Learners will also understand how to locate information that explains what each multimedia simulation is about with regards to the content it contains and the learning standards that it connects to.

Unit 1 Learning Objectives

• Learners will be able to navigate around the BIOinteractive website using a computer
• Learners will be able to locate the interactive simulations and describe the educational purpose of the website

Introduction

Simulations are defined as computer animated graphics that are designed to imitate concepts from the real world. This is a virtual tool that helps learners in understanding abstract concepts by breaking apart how a phenomena may occur in the real world. This is done through a creating a controlled environment with set parameters which help to prepare learners for real-life situations or instruct them on certain concepts. Within the BIOinteractive website, there is a variety of targeted simulations and multimedia modules that users can use to supplement student learning. "Interactive applications have provided students with interactive activities to test and expand their knowledge of scientific principles, graphics to increase the motivation of users to attend prompt perception, aid recall and assist in the development of higher order thinking and concept formation and simulations to explain processes that are difficult to ‘see’ in static form. All these are possible with the aid of technology," (Adeoye, 2015, p. 193). There has also been a lot research which supports how student learning is affected with interactive websites and simulations. For example, research shows that "simulations provide leverage in terms of harnessing a user’s spatial learning and perceptual systems in ways that text and verbal interactions do not." (Clark et al., 2015, p. 5). This means that the simulations can provide students with unique learning experiences that they would not normally be able to engage in. Additionally, they help to: "(1) minimize training time for effective use by students and teachers (2) support effective exploration and inquiry in short periods of curricular time (3)focus users on the specific phenomena and interactions of interest (4) provide high levels of flexibility for integration into existing and new curricula," (Clark et al., 2005, p. 6). Thus, there are many benefits of learning how to use the interactive simulations found on the BIOinteractive website in a secondary science classroom.

Sources:

• Adeoye, B. (2015). Pedagogical Integration of Technology into Science, Technical and Vocational Education. Teacher Education Systems in Africa in the Digital Era, 179.
• Clark, D., Nelson, B., Sengupta, P., & D’Angelo, C. (2009, October). Rethinking science learning through digital games and simulations: Genres, examples, and evidence. In Learning science: Computer games, simulations, and education workshop sponsored by the National Academy of Sciences, Washington, DC.
• Lindgren, R., & Schwartz, D. L. (2009). Spatial learning and computer simulations in science. International Journal of Science Education, 31(3), 419-438.

Unit 1 Learning Activity 1

In this first activity, you will learn how to navigate the BIOinteractive website and where to find certain information related to what you are looking for.

1. Click on the following link: https://www.biointeractive.org/

2. Locate the four options on the upper right hand of the screen where it states "Classroom resources", "Planning Tools", "Professional Development" and "About Us".

• First click on the "About Us"
• Read through the information and learn about what this website offers for educators

3. Next click on the "Planning Tools".

• Here the planning tools that educators can use in creating lessons are listed. Each of these tools can help an educator in preparing their lesson and aligning the selected interactive module with their learning objectives.
• An example will be seen with the Storyline Viewer tool. Scroll down to the "Storyline Viewer" section on this page and click on view tool.
• On this page, you can learn about what the Storyline Viewer is. After you read through this information, click on the "Launch Tool" button. This will bring up a mini-browser where you can look at examples of planning with the viewer or create your own storyline for your lesson. It should look like the example below

The examples of pre-created storylines

The option where you can create your own storyline to plan your lesson

• You can then save your story line to your computer, your google drive or export it as a PDF file.

4. Click on "Classroom resources" and examine the page.

• Here, you will notice that there are option to search for specific content or topics in the "Search Keyword" box, or you can browse content that addresses a certain level with the "All levels" drop down menu.
• Additionally, you can browse the content by the type of multimedia you wish to use with the "All resources" drop down menu.
• Lastly, you have the option of selecting content by the biology topic with the "All topics" drop down menu.

The option where you can find specific resources used in your classroom

5. Use the "All resources" drop down menu and select "Interactive Media". This will bring you to another page where all the interactive simulations available on the BIOinteractive website.

• You can also refine your search and specify which type of interactive media you would like to browse with the functions on the left side of the page where you can select if you want "Click & Learn"," Interactive Videos", "3D Models", "Virtual Labs", or "Tools".

The location of where you can refine your search and select which type of interactive media you would like to browse

6. Use the following steps above to navigate and browse all the content that is available on this BIOinteractive website.

• There is a diverse assortment of resources available for use and they help students explore scientific concepts in a fun, engaging way using real world examples.

Unit 1 Learning Activity 2

Now that you have had a walk through of the website, you will complete a simulation to learn more about what the BIOinteractive website can offer.

1. Click on the following link: https://www.biointeractive.org/classroom-resources and type in "coral reef" in the search keyword text box. This will bring you to another page where there is a list of interactive modules related to coral reefs. For the purpose of this course unit, learners will utilize the assigned interactive multimedia simulation titled "Interactive Exploration of Coral Bleaching". You should be able to find this selected simulation when you scroll down the page to the third result. 2. Once you have located the simulation click on the title and it should open up a new page.

The new page will look like this.

The selected simulation that will be used as an example for this course unit.

3. Once you have arrived on the page, open up this link in a second window. https://forms.gle/2FPpqo4k7oZp935r5 This link will document your experiences on this interactive simulation and assess how much information you learned while using this simulation. Read the questions and answer the information about the simulation description and standards (questions 1-3).

The additional information provided below the video in this module.

4. Next, click "Launch Interactive". This will bring you to the interactive FUN learning part where you will learn about coral reefs. Click the play button to start learning and watch the video. Pay careful attention and listen to narrative to learn about what corals are. If there is some information that you need clarification on during the video. Press pause during that section and scroll down to the bottom of the page. There will be additional text that helps you to understand the information. An image is shown below where you can find this text.

5. Navigate to the section of the video when the term symbionts is introduced (~1.40 into the video). Pause the video and scroll down to the Test your knowledge section. Answer the three questions about examples using symbioses. Record these answers on the google form link too.

6. After you have submitted your answers and watched the video, navigate to the upper right hand side of the page and click on the term Contents. Navigate to the section titled What is Coral Bleaching. Read the information and answer the questions on Google form about the content (questions 8 & 9).

7. Congrats, you have successfully completed your first learning activity and learned how to navigate around simulations on the BIOinteractive website :)