Data Collection in Middle School Science
Respiration graph (Vernier technology)
As I am preparing my Monday science methods lesson for my pre-service elementary teachers, I keep thinking of how to persuade them that computerized data collection and analysis has its place in the elementary science classroom. One of the big issues I have to address is the dire situation with science equipment in our elementary classrooms. Unfortunately, the teachers have close to zero budgets they can spend on technology. Many elementary classrooms do not have even one computer and a projector. However, this is not THE ONLY issue, I see. Even if the teachers were to receive computers and projectors tomorrow, many of them, have never used computerized data collection in their own studies. For example, most of my students have never used computerized data technology such as Vernier (www.vernier.com). In my view, these technologies should be used in science methods courses for pre-service teachers. Unless we prepare our teachers to use these technologies and show them the opportunities these technologies bring to elementary science teachers, the teachers will not be ready to use it even if they have it available.