For each Lesson in Module 1, reflect on how you would teach this in your class, focusing on one of the following components of the lesson (choose a different component for each lesson/reflection in Module 1).
- Lesson Objectives
- Teaching Summary (do activities or estimated times need to be changed?)
- Suggested Assessment Questions
- Standards
- Responsiveness to various student needs
Post your reflection here.
Comments
In reflecting on the lesson objectives, I was struck by the absence of an objective relating to students learning what is a computer simulation. For the majority of the students that I teach, they have little exposure to the capabilities of computers beyond what their cellphones or video game systems can do. If there is little or no prior knowledge of computer simulations, it is difficult for students to see the scientific usefulness of computer modeling. I believe the lesson objectives that are present are important and are good gauges for formatively assessing student learning.
When thinking about timing, I would probably split the first lesson into 2 class periods to make sure my scholars have enough time to digest and make sense of the information while reflecting. I would have the first lesson be just on turn & walk with the activity (getting outside takes a lot of time!), then a demo of the computer model, followed by a Venn-diagram activity of the two.
The next lesson may be short, so I might try to schedule it on a short day or start setting up their StarLogo Nova accounts on that day as well. They would reflect on differences between a computer model and a real-world phenomenon, then watch the video on complex adaptive systems, take notes, and come up with their own examples. I would create a timed challenge to see which table can come up with the most examples.
Eso, Thank you for the great ideas (2 day split with account setup, Venn-diagram, timed-challenge)! I was worried that I would not be able to fit all of the first lesson into my 47-minute class period. I really like your idea of using a graphic organizer to assist students in their comparisons. I think I will use the "Complex or Complicated.ppt" https://teacherswithguts.org/resources/complex-or-complicated to help students practice identifying the characteristics of CAS, and then try out your timed challenge idea.
I start my classes with a warm-up. On the day of this lesson, it will be "List as many scientific concepts as you can." After conducting the pre-test, outside activity, and watching the video, my students will revisit their list and identify any complex adaptive systems on their list, write how a computer model could be useful in that area, and we will discuss it as a class. If they do not have at least 3 complex adaptive systems within their list, they can use this time to add some to their list.