With new apps and interactive sites, science
class, in particular, has received a few upgrades. We took a look at
how science technology has evolved over time, and what adjustments have
been made.
1. A life-size plastic replica of a skeleton in class vs. an interactive skeleton app
Anatomy teachers loved that life-sized plastic skeleton model hanging in
the back of the classroom. But with the overwhelming number of medical
apps available, students now have the option to download free tools like
Essential Skeleton 4 to visualize and learn about the the skeleton system.
2. Science fair presentation boards vs. online self-publishing tools
With video-sharing sites like YouTube
and blogging platforms like Glogster, students no longer need scissors
and glue to craft a project. These web tools allow students to create
interactive projects that combine text, audio, pictures and videos.
3. The Periodic Table of Elements poster vs. interactive tables full of information
Today, whole sites are dedicated to interactive periodic tables. On Ptable.com,
hover over an element and learn about its properties, click on it to
access the Wikipedia page, use the slider to view elemental changes in
temperature.
4. Real frog dissection vs. virtual frog dissection
You no longer need a scalpel to explore the anatomy of a frog, or any other organism. Ick.
5. Microscopes vs. smartphone microscopes
The microscope is still the same, but now there is a device that
allows students to use their smartphones to capture photos through the
microscope eyepiece.
Skylight,
a $75 plastic smartphone-to-microscope adapter, allows students to
magnify insects, pathogens and more. It also can be attached to
telescopes, binoculars and spotting scopes. The product was cofounded by
Tess Bakke and Andy Miller and was successfully funded in 2012 on Kickstarter.
6. Paper and pencil quizzes vs. clicker quizzes
Today, interactive tech instruments like clickers are being used in
science lectures and other classes for quizzing and polling.
7. Hands-on chemistry experiments vs. virtual chemistry experiments
No test tube? No problem. Just experiment with your computer.
