Astronomy is the area of Physical Science that I will focus on during this investigation. I found several 21st century learning tools that help students’ understanding, awaken interest, and connect students to authentic science experiences. The most powerful and innovative online resource I found during my research can be located at worldwidetelescope.org. This software enables any personal computer to function as a virtual telescope.
The WorldWide Telescope (WWT) is a Web 2.0 visualization software environment that enables your computer to function as a virtual telescope—bringing together imagery from the best ground and space-based telescopes in the world for a seamless exploration of the universe. (WorldWide Telescope, 2010)
The software is very interactive and allows the user to experience applications such as taking tours, creating tours, finding objects in space, or finding your location in the universe. There is even an application that allows the user to make a constellation. This software can assist my students in becoming 21st-century scientifically literate citizens by connecting students to authentic science experiences while awakening interest.
The NASA Jet Propulsion Laboratory at the California Institute of Technology has an online resource at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/kids/index.cfm allows users to experience planets such as Saturn and Mars. Students are also able to choose to become space explorers during a virtual field trip. In addition, choices are available to create projects, play games and animations, and learn fun facts about Earth, space, and technology. One plus for teachers is that there is an entire menu for teachers that includes information on resources, projects, and staff picks of classroom activities.
The Masters of the Universe webquest is specifically designed for 8th graders which is the grade that I teach. It allows students to first test their knowledge of what they already know, giving students an opportunity to write down questions that they would like to investigate during the webquest. The webquest includes a planets organizer allowing students to keep track of data on each planet, math worksheet to calculate distances of solar objects from each other, and a solar system organizer. It is the classic K-W-L (what I know, what I want to know, and what I learned) strategy adapted for 21st century learning, activating students' background knowledge, while improving comprehension of expository text.
The resources referenced above are tools extremely useful in 21st century learning. This is important because it helps the students to understand the information that is being presented. They activate prior knowledge, facilitate the inquiry process with games and activities, engage students in creativity in projects, and engage students in collaborative learning. In addition, students are able to utilize the Internet to do research, and communicate understanding of concepts.
