Simulating Lab Practicals

Clearly the current situation is challenging for teachers in all subjects. However, the practical subjects are particularly challenging to teach online. Science teaching has evolved over the years, but practicals are still a vital tool in our efforts to explain how life, materials and the universe function.

Without access to our laboratories and equipment, how best can we explain abstract phenomena? One of the answers is by the use of simulations. These have been increasing used in schools since the 1990s.

“The process of teaching by simply telling students about a scientific theory is viewed as inadequate, for it fails to engage the students in reflecting upon and modifying their own view of the way they think the world works.” (Richards et al, 1992)

One topic that I have used simulations to help teach for many years is natural selection. As a topic that is impossible to demonstrate in class due to the millions of years it takes, there are many alternative versions.

My favorite for use in class is “Who wants to live a million years”. I get the students to compete to find who can get to a million years first and this open up a discussion about how they got there. There are also a wide range of factors that occur, sometimes it gets cold, others hot, and this means the species adapts and the way the creatures look at the end can vary greatly, which opens up interesting discussions about the nature of speciation.

With my 5B class, I am currently teaching protein synthesis. Normally I would use plasticine and MolyMods to give the students a hands-on experience of this. Again, this is impossible to do at the moment. So I am looking for alternatives. This PhET simulation looks like a good prospect.

Whether it works or not, one thing is certain. I can’t wait to get back into school and do some hands on experiments again.

Reference

Richards, J., Barowy, W., & Levin, D., (1992). Computer simulations in the science classroom. Journal of Science Education and Technology, 1(1) 67-79.