Pedestrian Safety for Students |
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A
Technology Driven Multi-Disciplinary Approach to Science
and Safety Jill Williams, P.S. 171, New York City |
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Home |
STOP! |
LOOK! |
HYPOTHESIZE! "We
can change these statistics with... |
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This is a curriculum unit that reminded
me that when learning takes place, the teacher learns as
much as the students. My students and I have put together
a plan which we hope you'll find clear and easy to use.
If I had realized at the beginning how much I was taking
on, I would probably have stopped before I began! I
intended to merely collaborate with a classroom teacher
and integrate technology into the existing curriculum. As
the computer teacher in an elementary school, I have
often felt that I was working in a vacuum. What began as
a "simple" Science Unit , was transformed into
an amazing, wonderful and relevant journey because of two
things--the enthusiasm of the students and the power of
the Internet. I found myself communicating directly with
university professors of physics, chemistry professors,
surgeons, and directors of national programs. I sent out
inquiries via e-mail, and responses poured in. All of a sudden, as I shared this information with a class of fifth graders, we realized we were on to something. We all knew that there were safety concerns in our school community, but we didn't realize we could do something to change and improve these conditions. These experts, by being so responsive to our questions, had empowered us. We could improve our academic skills and learn new programs on the computer and make our neighborhood a little safer. Here was that rare chance to bring the "real" world into our classroom. What the students and I learned was that we could make a difference. |