Research coming out of the UK and the US has indicated that there are problems with teaching science using traditional methods, Damian Breeze, Marketing Director, LJ Group, said in his presentation on 'Using ICT to improve science teaching - Science Carts'.
ICT and new digital learning materials are being used to improve science teaching, he
The governments in both countries have placed an emphasis on science education and the lack of the use of ICT in science is a concern, Mr. Breeze
Evidence from a recent UK report indicated that there was a positive association between the use of ICT and pupil attainment.
In particular, students who used high levels of ICT gained the equivalent of half a grade more in science than low ICT users, Breeze
For advanced science teaching, the LJ Group
recently created the SciTek Science Cart.
The cart uses ICT to enhance the teaching of science from 12 years onward, designed to be an addition to any existing, traditional science teaching provision.
By making them self-contained and mobile, they can be shared between classes and teachers, Mr. Breeze
Each cart contains a range of IT components, including a LCD monitor and projector, four multi-media laptops, printer, a multimedia desktop computer and a wireless network.
The science teaching components of the cart are a microscope and camera, data logger and sensors, electrical experiment kits, student response system, set of DVD's containing virtual physics experiments and curriculum packs.
These resources allow the teacher to deliver an ICT-based science lesson, Mr. Breeze
Teachers can choose to present both theory lessons and practical experiments to the whole class using the computer and projector, Mr. Breeze
Groups of students can work on directed practical activities using the laptops, and the experiment kits supplied with the system while wireless connectivity allows the groups to share their results with the teacher and other groups, Mr. Breeze said.
The use of virtual experiments allows the expert teacher to be present in every classroom.
The mobility of the system allows it to be used in multiple classrooms at different times, making it cost effective, Mr. Breeze