How to Integrate Technology in a Biology Classroom
I recently surveyed my audience and researched some of the most effective uses of technology for the Biology classroom. Below is a list of some of the easiest and best ways to integrate technology to help enhance your instruction.
Five Easy Ways to Integrate Technology into your Biology Classroom
1. Virtual Field Trip
Technology today is amazing! For only a $15 you can purchase Google Cardboard and instantly have the ability to host virtual field trips and 3D tours of things like the cell or the human body. If you cannot afford to purchase a class set just get enough for a few students and set up stations that your students can rotate through. A great source for Virtual Field Trips is Youtube! Another source is the Expiditions App by Google.
For Youtube, all you need to do is type in your the topic followed by 360 VR . Here is a Human Body 360 VR video!
2. Skype a Scientist
Skype a scientist matches scientists with classrooms of students from around the world. This is a great opportunity for your students to learn about daily life as a scientist. Students sometimes have a hard time seeing themselves in certain careers. This is a great way to get students exposure to some really awesome career and to learn more about what the scientist are doing.
With a quick search you can find a bunch of Biologists, Geneticists, Plant Scientists, Microbiologist, Medical Doctors and so much more!
3. Podcast
Podcasts can introduce a unique way of learning for your students. This is a great way for those auditory learners to engage with meaningful content. Students can listen to podcasts and complete activities like sketch notes, a concept maps, story lines and more.
Some great podcasts for Biology are:
- Radiolab-Great story telling that includes documentaries, interviews from scientists and authors.
- The Life Scientific– Host professor Jim Al-Khalili talks to leading scientist about their work and their life.
- 60 second science– Great for introducing content or even a quick exit. This show gives a short snip of the news and commentary for the day. A great way to start class
- Brains ON!– kids co-hosts each episode to explore fun science concepts through songs, interviews and mini plays.
4. Harness Quizzing Apps
Socrative
There are a variety of online program and apps that you can use to enhance student learning that can also save you time. For example, I like to use socrative.com for administering short quizzes about homework, as exit tickets or even warm ups to pre-assess student knowledge.
Quizlet (My Favorite!)
Quizlet is definitely one of my favorites. I like it so much that I created a Quizlet for every single unit in the High School Biology Curriculum here at USBiologyTeaching.Com
Why do I like it so much?
First, it serves as a vocabulary learning platform for students through a wide variety of activities that they can choose. It also offers quizlet.live where student compete against other groups using vocabulary terms. But that isn’t all. You can also generate quizzes automatically based off the flash cards that you or students created.
Our members love it. If you want to become a member and have access to a Full Biology Curriculum with all of the Quizlets done and become part of the community check it out here: Full Biology Curriculum.
5. Collaboration
It wasn’t long ago when we had to email a paper or hand a paper back and forth just to add our touches and read each other’s work. Those days are gone. Harness the power of Office 365, Google Docs/Slides so your students can work collaboratively to build reports or conduct research.
I love watching my students create their first lab report collaboratively using Google Docs. It is amazing to see them work through the process together. Check out the lab report rubric and tem1plate is use.
Share your ideas below!
If you think I missed an important easy way to integrate technology share yours ideas in the comments below!
#biologyteaching #teachingwithtechnology