Phenomenal Science are phenomena-based elementary science units, that integrate engineering, math, and language arts. Of course, phenomena-based means there is a critical emphasis on students making sense of phenomena, which requires them to engage in hands-on investigation, discourse, modeling, argumentation, and explanation. The phenomena-based instructional model can be hard to engage students in within the current constraints and challenges of teaching science today in our often remote-learning world. Remote or hybrid learning appears to be quite at odds with phenomena-based instruction. Since we are committed to enabling all elementary students the opportunity to engage in sense-making around real scientific phenomena, we are pleased to be working collaboratively with the Center for Digital Curricula, College of Engineering, University of Michigan. Together, we are thrilled to announce that that six PS units, cast as visual, interactive Roadmaps and hosted on the Center’s Collabrify Roadmap Platform, are now available for download and classroom use. As a digital version of the PS Units, the Roadmaps bring the units alive in the digital world and, allow for a variety of teaching styles and customizations to better meet the needs of your students. The Collabrify Roadmap Platform is browser-based (e.g., Chrome, Safari). Thus, the Platform runs on Chromebooks, Windows or Mac laptops, desktops or tablets The Roadmaps are a digital option for the PS units that enable students to engage in real sense-making through the use of science and engineering practices. The PS unit Roadmaps support face-to-face classrooms, at home learning, or a hybrid model. Collabrify offers teachers the option to have students work individually or in collaborative groups. Using audio, video and animations, students can create artifacts of their learning, such as dynamic models characterizing the observed science phenomena. Students can even hold discussions with peers who are co-located or not, by talking through the computer using Collabrify’s Voice-over IP channels. Still further, student assessments are also presented in this digital format, offering a safer and paperless option. The first unit of each grade, K through 5, are presently available; new units will be added as funding might allow. Teacher set-up and administration is easy, and help and training is available. The six Roadmap PS units can be accessed on the unit page of the PS website for the units with Roadmaps. More information is available at the Collabrify Phenomenal Science landing page. Watch this how-to video from Collabrify to learn more. Please send an email to [email protected] indicating your interest in using the digital, Roadmap versions of the PS curricula. The Collabrify team will get back to you and arrange for a webinar that will explain how to use the Roadmap versions of the PS curriculum.
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AuthorPhenomenal Science Leadership Team Archives
February 2022
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