Using an ExploreLearning Gizmo as a Pre-Lab

ExploreLearning (2013b) is a website provides a database of interactive learning objects (called Gizmos) for grades 3-12 math and science students.  As seen in figure 1, accompanying the Gizmo are lesson materials, which include a teacher guide, student exploration sheet, vocabulary sheet and a set of assessment questions (completed and marked online). 

Figure 1: Gizmo and lesson materials

Screen shots provided by ExploreLearning Gizmos www.explorelearning.com

The science Gizmos fall into two basic categories: concept teaching tools or laboratory techniques.  These Gizmos can be used in a number of different ways.  Uses for the concept teaching Gizmos include:

• Projecting the Gizmo in front of the class for use as a visual aid during the lesson.
• Allowing the students to work through the Gizmo themselves with the teacher offering help as needed.
• Assigning the Gizmo as homework to reinforce a concept that was covered in class

Uses for the laboratory technique Gizmos include:

• Use as a pre-lab done either in class or at home to prepare students for the physical lab.  This can be demonstrate by the teacher or completed individually by the students.
• Can be performed instead of a physical lab
• Practicing the technique again after the physical lab, either in class on at home

If Gizmos are made available to the students then their use does not have to be teacher directed.  Their online nature means that students can revisit a Gizmo under their own initiative.

One example of a concept teaching Gizmo is the Covalent Bonds Gizmo (see figure 2).  This Gizmo allows students to build molecules by moving electrons between atoms to form covalent bonds, and then compare these to the traditional Lewis diagrams (ExploreLearning, 2013a).

Figure 2: Covalent Bonds Gizmo

Screen shots provided by ExploreLearning Gizmos www.explorelearning.com

The Titration Gizmo is an example of a laboratory technique Gizmo.  This Gizmo allows students to perform a variety of acid/base neutralization titration experiments to determine the concentrations of different analytes (ExploreLearning, 2013c).  An explanation of how the Titration Gizmo could be used in the classroom as a pre-lab follows.

Pre-labs are essentially any learning activities which help the student to better understand the techniques and procedures undertaken during the physical lab.  By following the student’s exploration sheet, the students would first use the Gizmo to see how a pH indicator changes colour through the addition of acidic or basic solutions (see figures 3 and 4).  They would then titrate a number of different combinations of acids, bases and pH indicators to equivalence point and use the answers obtained from the Gizmo to calculate the unknown concentration of the analyte.  Once the gizmo activity has been completed the students undertake an assessment quiz, which is taken and marked online, to check the students’ understanding.  This procedure would very closely mirror what happens during the physical lab.

Figure 3: Titration Gizmo - At beginning of titration
Screen shots provided by ExploreLearning Gizmos www.explorelearning.com

Figure 4: Titration Gizmo - After titration
Screen shots provided by ExploreLearning Gizmos www.explorelearning.com

Figure 5: Titration Gizmo - Indicating slider to control titration
Screen shots provided by ExploreLearning Gizmos www.explorelearning.com

Titration on the Gizmo is controlled by moving the slider on the burette with the mouse (see figure 5).  At my first attempt at titrating I completely overshot the mark.  I was titrating the nitric acid (HNO3) too fast and missed the point as which the indicator changed colour.  I simply reset the gizmo and started again.  I managed to accomplish the task properly on the third attempt.  Had I made this mistake in the physical lab, I may not have had the time or resources available to redo the activity until it was successfully completed.  Not only did the Gizmo help me to identify possible pitfalls during the experiment, it also helped me to better visualise and conceptualise the experiment.  Hence, by completing the Gizmo task students would be better prepared for completing the physical lab.

Plus

• Students can repeat experiments numerous times without using up expensive chemicals or glassware
• Can be done outside the class time
• Contains options to change many of the variables to see what affect it has on the end result
• No health and safety risks normally associated with science practicals
• Can be used by teacher for instruction or by students for learning

Minus

• Doesn’t give hands-on experience with using glassware and chemicals
• Can’t be used for research in unknown situations
• Teacher can not create own laboratories from scratch

Implications

• These sorts of technologies cannot totally replace all practical laboratory experiments, as students still need to learn how to physically handle the materials.  They can be used instead of or in addition to some physical labs.
• The abilities of these sorts of online tools to rapidly change variables and record the changing result can demonstrate a concept (and bring about understanding) more quickly than if the same procedure was physically performed.
• Offers students the ability to perform the task multiple times until it is understood and not be restricted by the availability of chemical or glassware.
• Due to the availability of glassware, students are often required to perform practicals in small groups, resulting in each student only physically performing some of the technique.  This tool allows all students to perform the technique from start to finish.
• Whilst a Gizmo can be altered to suit a lesson plan, one can not be created from scratch.  Therefore, the teacher is limited to what is available on the website.

References

ExploreLearning. (2013a). Gizmos – Covalent Bonds. ExploreLearning. Retrieved from http://www.explorelearning.com/

ExploreLearning. (2013b). Introduction to ExploreLearning [Video File]. ExploreLearning. Retrieved from http://www.explorelearning.com/

ExploreLearning. (2013c). Gizmo - Titration. ExploreLearning. Retrieved from http://www.explorelearning.com/