Understanding the effects of friction on the motion of objects can be a difficult concept for some students to understand. To explore the topic further, I designed a blended lesson using the T-GEM model and a PhET simulation, along with two others. The de Jong and van Joolingen (1998) review of simulation use in discovery learning contexts cited the importance of structuring and supporting students’ work in ways to prevent difficulties (Stephens, 2014). The teacher will lead some aspects of the lesson but students will be active participants throughout. Small groups will record observations and responses on this collaborative document which will help guide and structure the experience.<\/p>\n
https:\/\/retsdca-my.sharepoint.com\/personal\/dcowan_retsd_mb_ca\/_layouts\/15\/guestaccess.aspx?docid=01843f29779f34b4f9e90e979ac60d047&authkey=ASVFUvZz6FPh6-Ls2CQzl-k&expiration=2018-02-06T14%3a17%3a00.000Z<\/a><\/p>\n Generate<\/strong><\/p>\n Prior knowledge accounts for the largest amount of variance when predicting the likelihood of success with learning new material (Srinivasan, 2006). Therefore, it is essential to activate relevant prior knowledge. Students will discuss and analyze scenarios where friction is the cause of their observations. Two common ones at my school would be tobogganing on the hill and hitting a patch of grass or participating in Halloween gym and having to scooter over a long stretch of carpet. Students will also play a game emulator of Mario Kart (http:\/\/www.nintendoemulator.com\/snes\/781<\/a>) and drive over different surfaces and use different characters to observe the\u00a0impact that their characteristics have on the motion of the vehicles. Students will explore a simple BBC simulation (http:\/\/www.bbc.co.uk\/schools\/scienceclips\/ages\/8_9\/friction.shtml<\/a>) in which they can test the effects of different surfaces on the motion of a vehicle using the same applied force. Students will record observations on the recording sheet and generate ideas regarding the relationship between friction and motion.<\/p>\n