Deck 11: Technology in Elementary Science Education

Question 1

W Why would a teacher want students to use a computer-based graphing program to construct a graph instead of doing it by hand?

A) The computer-based graphing program is more accurate than one done by hand.
B) The computer-based graphing program automatically constructs the graph to the proper scale, eliminating the necessity of students figuring out the scale for themselves.
C) The computer-based graphing program has several choices of graph construction in addition to the standard bar graphs or line graphs that are familiar to the students.
D) The computer-based graphing program can display several different kinds of graphs using the same data.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Answer 1

E

Question 2

W According to the text, which kind of computer-based technology can give the most support to students in their individual inquiries?

A) Tutoring
B) Interactive
C) Experimenting
D) The Internet
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Answer 2

C

Question 3

A constructivist elementary science teacher is having the students explore static electricity by rubbing blown-up balloons of various sizes with a piece of wool cloth and then holding each rubbed balloon above a bowl of puffed cereal. Students measure the distance between the balloon and the cereal when the cereal first begins to be attracted to the balloon, and they measure the number of pieces of cereal each balloon holds. What computer application would help the students interpret their data?

A) Word processing
B) Database
C) Graphing program
D) Graphic organizer program
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Answer 3

C

Question 4

W What is a computer-based simulation?

A) A program that enables specialized technicians to perfect their skills artificially
B) A program that enables science students to see the results of changing certain variables in an experimental procedure
C) A program that enables people to envision certain catastrophic events such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and tornadoes
D) A program that enables scientific researchers to predict the result of their research
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 5

W Why would a teacher want students to use a computer-based spreadsheet in the classroom instead of having students process the data by hand?

A) The computer-based spreadsheet is more accurate than hand-done work.
B) The computer-based spreadsheet can perform mathematical calculations quickly and accurately, eliminating mathematical errors that can be made by students.
C) The computer-based spread sheet can prepare graphs of the information on a spreadsheet
D) The computer-based spreadsheet can process more data than students would normally be able to process in the time allotted for an activity.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 6

According to the text, what is meant by "Interactive Uses of Computers?"

A) Using the computer to help do a task
B) Using the computer to study prepared material
C) Using the computer to work through a tutorial
D) Using the computer to take tests
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 7

W A constructivist science teacher is having the students explore the differences between atoms and molecules using reference materials, plastic models, and the Internet. The teacher assigns the students to summarize their findings in writing and turn in the summaries. What computer application would best support this activity?

A) Word processing
B) Database
C) Graphing program
D) Graphic organizer program
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 8

W Why would a constructivist teacher use computer-based technology in science classes?

A) The students are familiar with computer technology and many know how to use it.
B) Computer-based technology enables students to gain access to virtually unlimited information on any topic they are investigating.
C) Computer technology facilitates students in their pursuits of avenues of inquiry for which needed resources are not available in the classroom or the media center.
D) Computer-based technology is used by scientists.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 9

W According to the text, which of the following represents interactive uses of computers?

A) Word processing, spreadsheets, and graphing programs
B) Tutoring programs, film clips, and PowerPoint presentations
C) Computer-based laboratories, probes, and probe data analysis programs
D) The Internet
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 10

How is a computer spreadsheet best used in a science classroom?

A) To record data
B) To perform calculations with data
C) To learn more about the topic being studied
D) To make a presentation showing what the students in a group did
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 11

W An elementary science teacher is having the class inquire into the differences in change of temperature among a pail of water, a pail of soil, and a pail of sand, all the same size and all standing under direct sunlight for the same length of time. What computer-based technology would provide the greatest support to students in this inquiry?

A) A light sensor
B) A temperature probe
C) A motion detector
D) A pH sensor

Question 12

What is the most common use of graphic organizer software?

A) To show the steps in an experimental procedure
B) To record observations
C) To demonstrate hypotheses
D) To show concepts and their relationships to each other

Question 13

W When would a constructivist science teacher use tutoring computer programs?

A) When a topic comes up that is unfamiliar to students and they need to know the background material
B) When a student has missed a lot of school and needs to get caught up
C) When the teacher wants to study a topic in depth before engaging the class in investigations of the topic
D) When the teacher wants to provide basic information about the material the students are exploring
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of the microcomputer-based laboratory (MBL) computer-based technology?

A) A CD-ROM
B) An electronic spreadsheet
C) A graphing program
D) A motion detector
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 15

What do most science educators advise about using science-based computer games in the classroom?

A) Don't use games because they are frivolous.
B) Use games because students are familiar and comfortable with them.
C) Don't use games because they don't follow the prescribed curriculum.
D) Use games to replace hands-on activities.

Question 16

W Why would a teacher want students to use presentation software such as PowerPoint to make presentations for the class instead of doing the presentations using poster board?

A) Presentation software requires that students organize their material in presentation-friendly formats.
B) Presentation software offers more ways of organizing and presenting information than poster boards.
C) Photographs and videos students took with digital cameras can be shown in a PowerPoint presentation.
D) More material can be presented using PowerPoint than using poster boards.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 17

Why would a constructivist science teacher want the students to use computer-based laboratory probes to gather data rather than the tried and true hands-on methods?

A) Computer-based probes are more accurate.
B) Computer-based probes can take measurements that students cannot take because of human limitations and limitations of time.
C) The computers that accompany computer-based probes can construct accurate graphs of the data collected by the probes.
D) The computers that accompany computer-based probes can perform accurate mathematical calculations from the data.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 18

W What is the Internet?

A) A network of millions of loosely-connected information sites
B) The same as a web site
C) A system of searching for information
D) A system of cataloguing information into main categories

Question 19

How can presentation software such as PowerPoint be useful in a constructivist science class?

A) It can help students clarify and organize their thoughts.
B) It can serve as a method of assessment.
C) It can enable the teacher to prepare and present introductory material that the teacher feels is germane to the lesson.
D) It can serve as a means for students to present summaries of their explorations and findings to the class.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 20

Which kind of technology would constructivist science teachers use in the classroom most frequently?

A) Tutoring
B) Interactive
C) Experimenting
D) Microcomputer-based laboratory applications
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 21

W What position does the National Educational Technology Plan take with respect to technology use in schools?

A) Schools should use technology to promote increased student achievement.
B) Schools should use technology to assess student achievement.
C) Schools should use technology to help teachers improve their teaching.
D) Schools should use technology to make knowledge available to everyone.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 22

Why would a constructivist science teacher want the students to use the Internet in class?

A) So the students can find the information they need to continue their individual inquiries
B) So the students can find information about topics that they may not be able to study in class
C) So the students can find what others have done in their explorations of the topics the students are studying
D) So the teacher can prepare interesting and relevant material that can foster students' pursuits of their investigations
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 23

W What is a WebQuest?

A) An inquiry activity that uses the Internet for all or most of the information sought
B) A hands-on inquiry activity in which students can use the Internet to broaden their inquiries
C) A teacher-prepared introduction to a lesson that includes some material from the Internet
D) A list of web sites with video clips that students can access to obtain additional information about the topic they are investigating

Question 24

What is an interactive whiteboard?

A) A whiteboard that both the teacher and the students can use
B) An electronic white board that is connected to a computer which the teacher and the students can use for computer-based work
C) A regular chalkboard that has been painted white
D) An expensive piece of technological equipment with questionable value for classroom use

Question 25

What is true of online learning?

A) It takes place over the Internet instead of in a classroom.
B) It enables students to study science topics that are not offered in school.
C) It appears to foster higher achievement than traditional teaching.
D) It enables the teacher to make adjustments easily to accommodate individual differences and interests.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 26

SciLINKS and the National Science Digital Library have what in common?

A) They both have direct links to science information sites.
B) They both have videos suitable for classroom use.
C) They both have research-based articles to help teachers prepare their science lessons and units.
D) They both have science games and simulations suitable for use in elementary science education programs.

Question 27

W If a constructivist science teacher is unfamiliar with certain computer-based technologies, how can the teacher gain the needed expertise?

A) Attend a class on how to use the technology and how to implement it in the science program.
B) Study the directions for use or take the tutorial that accompanies many computer-based technologies.
C) Get help from the media specialist.
D) Use the "help" feature.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 28

What is a Wiki?

A) A secret website that only certain people can access
B) A website developed by a teacher or student whose content can be accessed and critiqued by anyone if the restrictions are unlimited
C) A form of the World Wide Web
D) A website designed to poll people's opinions

Question 29

W Which of the following Internet-based applications are useful in elementary science?

A) Blog
B) Podcast and/or Vodcast
C) Skype
D) Prezi
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 30

How can the Internet be used to foster students' individual inquiries in a constructivist science classroom?

A) Students can participate in scientific research projects that require information from many locations.
B) Students can find suggestions for continuing their guided inquiry projects.
C) Students can find additional information about topics they are studying.
D) Students can communicate with scientists and students in other locations about topics they are exploring.
E) All of the above
F) None of the above

Question 31

W What is the most effective way of ensuring Internet safety?

A) Install restrictive firewalls so students can't access questionable web sites.
B) Post a list of rules concerning Internet use that all students must follow.
C) Allow students to use the Internet only under the supervision of a teacher or other adult.
D) Instill in students that it is ultimately their responsibility to use Internet safely.

Question 32

W What technology are teachers most likely to use to help them with their non-teaching responsibilities?

A) Word processing program
B) Electronic spreadsheet
C) Publishing programs
D) Electronic gradebooks
E) All of the above