Explore Learning, using Gizmos

I found the Explore Learning website fantastic, as a maths person i found the site excellent. the visual and interactive nature of the gizmos was excellent, I was engaged as soon as I started playing on the site.

The tool is excellent in a maths and science context. as a teacher I can set up classes in the structure of the explore learning website, in these classes gizmos can be added that are specific to the current unit of work and curriculum in the classroom. There is functionality within the site to produce an information sheet that can be sent to the students, this information is for the students to make an account and use the required code to sign into their classes. I could then keep the exercises up to date with the relevant work that is occurring in class.

Gizmos could be explored in the class both individually or collaboratively. working online collaboratively designing circuits or exploring science can then be enriched by doing similar experiments in the class, this would further reinforce the teachings in the class and online.
Weekly progess tests can be carried out, to be completed by the friday, as the results are compiled within the software the results are available automatically, again monitoring students understanding and progress and help teachers assist people as it is required and not later.


PMI

Positives

• graphical way of showing fractions, percentages
• interactivity of the graphics allowing the user to adjust the values
• Structure of the explore Learning site
• Teachers can setup classes and content for the classes
• students can have logins to set classes, to access the content the teacher sets up
• scaffolded learning
• assessment of students results only visible to the teacher
• assistance/help the website offers
• supports higher order thinking about solutions
• can have challenge levels setup for students to improve their understanding of a concept

Negatives

• the model is currently at a cost after the trial period
• students need access to the Internet, if not at home, work will need to be done at school
• content could be more descriptive
• cannot make your own gizmo's
• content needs to be learned before using the gizmo's. if there is no knowledge of the subject, some students may struggle with it.
• security of information held by a third party.

Interesting

• the site has a great idea and could be expanded on to include concept learning
• a toolkit to make specific gizmos would be advantageous
• could include gizmos as part of assignments or set homework.
• students can collaboratively work on gizmos, discussing plans and different solutions

out of all the group 4 technologies, this entertained me as a daily teaching tool. while many of the other tools are good and would find an occassional use in the classroom, gizmos could be used on a more consistant basis.

overall, I am very impressed with the site, hopefully it will continue to grow and get better.