Khanya - Science

While some “download” as efficiently as they “Google” or “Skype,” many still curiously wonder how it is done. Recently, a Life Science teacher and I went through the steps and the result is the blog posting below. I hope that the guide below helps to bring more of the infinite number of useful resources on the Web into your classroom and your teaching.

Step 1: Download the Youtubedownloader

·         Open the Internet Explorer and enter http://www.youtubedownloader.org/

·         A Youtube web page will open … Select the You Tube Downloader by clicking on it.

·         A “File Download – Security Warning” dialog box will appear. You could choose to “RUN” or “SAVE” the software. “RUN” will install it immediately.

·         A YouTube downloader icon should appear on the desktop indicating that the program has been successfully installed! Well done, you can skip Step 2.

·         Double-click on the YouTube downloader icon to open the program.

·         Select the “DOWNLOAD” tab.

Step 2:  If you chose to “SAVE” the program somewhere on your computers C: drive

·         Open the Youtube Downloader folder

·         Double click on the Youtube Downloader exe. file which will install the program

·         Right-click on the Youtube Dowloader icon and “send to desktop”

·         Now, double click on the icon to open the Youtube Downloader

·         Select the “DOWNLOAD” tab.

Step 3:  Open Internet Explorer

·         Open the Internet Explorer

·         In the Google search bar enter the topic you are searching for, eg. Benedicts test and press Enter.

·          Carefully choose the appropriate video from the list, by clicking once on it. Wait for it to open.

·         Now, click on the “Share” button just below the video. Notice that a URL (i.e. a web address now appears – highlighted in blue)

·         Copy the URL (right click, copy) and paste it into the Youtubedownloader (dialog box) which you opened previously. Next, choose a destination (eg. My Documents, in My Videos etc.)

·         Click “download.” Wait … remember that the video is being downloaded to the destination you chose  (eg. My Documents, in My Videos or even flash drive)

 Step 4: Playing the downloaded video

·         Close all open programs.

·         Reopen the Youtubedownloader and select the “PLAY” tab

·         Now browse to the destination you chose to locate your video.

·         Double-click on the video and enjoy it.

If you are planning on covering “Electrical Circuits” in either the Natural Science or Physical Science syllabus, then why not consider using the simulations found in the Crocodile Clips (Yenka Science bundle) software supplied by the Khanya Project.

Simply open the Physics “Contents” folder and select the “Circuits” subfolder. You are presented with a number of easy-to-use simulations such as: Basic circuits, Current-voltage graphs, Ohm’s Law, Parallel circuits, Series circuits (with resistors), Series circuits (with lamps) or Series circuits (batteries). Each simulation provides the user with easy-to-follow instructions. Most importantly, the simulations reliably and accurately demonstrate the principle being taught. The pause and replay buttons are useful as they allow the teacher to interrupt the simulation with explanations for what learners are observing.

One could access the “Parts Library” main folder and using the virtual laboratory, setup your own experiment! By selecting Edit, Select All and Copy, one can Paste the selected simulation into a MsWord document for use in some form of assessment.

Since these investigations simulate, it is not possible to get a shock. Explosions are virtual (not real) and users are allowed to apply their minds to rectifying glitches in the circuits they choose to design in the Parts Library. Oh … and the light bulbs and batteries always work.

If you have a Smart EWB, then open the “Gallery Essentials” and navigate to Science & Technology and finally to Physics. There too, one finds useful simulations in the subfolder “Interactive Multimedia” which allow learner interactivity.

Many teachers are approaching the topic of Refractive Index (RI) with some trepidation.  How is this to be investigated where there are no working ray boxes or blinds to darken the room?

Welcome to the world of Science simulation s/w like Crocodile Clips (or Yenka) as it is now known.

Open the Physics component and select “Parts” and then the “Optics” folder.  This unique component to the software allows you to select your own apparatus from a virtual lab (so it is always in working order) and create your own experiment. And you can save it or copy it into MsWord!

So, in the “Optics” folder, select: 1. An optical space and enlarge it, 2. A ray box (click on the ray box and once its ‘Properties’ menu appears, reduce the number of rays to one - you can even select a colour), and  3. One or two protractors and 4. A transparent object like a rectangular block.

Assemble the parts in the optical space (the black square): 1^st, ray box, then block. Click on the ray box and rotate it slightly so that the ray of incidence strikes the block at a slant.

Click on the block and when its ‘Properties’ menu opens, check the box “show norm”. Now move the block so that its norm and the ray of incidence coincide.

Finally use the protractors to measure the angle of incidence and refraction. Do the calculation.

Now  since you’ve saved so much time, why not postulate what the RI  of other transparent block would be? How? Click on the block and when its ‘Properties’ menu opens, change the material to:  water or ice or diamond etc. Then simply determine the RI.

At this point your learners are bound to be saying: “Miss, may I see too?”

In the last Khanya Science blog posting (8\05\2011), we directed you to a video showing the reaction between HCl and Sodium thiosulphate using the following URL: http://www.google.co.za/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=9&oq=sodium+thiosulphate+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enZA428&q=sodium+thiosulphate+experiment  [cntrl + left click]

When you accessed this video by clicking on the above url, did you notice the “Suggestions” on the right hand side of the video? Well, there is a list of other very interesting videos of experiments which are accessed simply by clicking on them. Here are a few titles mentioned:

1.      Reaction of zinc and HCl

2.      Chemical kinetics

3.      Surface area and rate of chemical reactions

4.      Effect of temperature on rate of reaction

5.      Sodium reacts with four acids

6.      Chemistry music video 22: Rate of reaction

7.      Sulphuric acid and HCl safety video

And, as is often said: “That’s not all!” At the end of this long list, of which I have only mentioned a few, you have the option to “Load More Suggestions.” When you do, as I did, you will find another list of very useful resources.

Why not search out the video clips that will support your teaching style and then add them to your favourite internet sites for quick access during the lesson.

How do you do that? Once you at the site (i.e. the video displays): Click on “Favourites” then “Add to favourites.” A box will open. Click on “New folder” and give it a name like Grade 11 Chemistry 2011, and then click on Add. In this way your favourite sites will be grouped (eg. according to grade and subject) and easy to find.

A teacher recently indicated that she was seeking a way of showing her learners the reaction between Hydrochloric acid and Sodium thiosulphate. The computer software the School had purchased was limited with respect to simulating this particular reaction. What to do?

Google the topic. I tried: sodium thiosulphate and HCl flash and ended up with this URL:.

http://www.google.co.za/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=9&oq=sodium+thiosulphate+&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADFA_enZA428&q=sodium+thiosulphate+experiment

Two options are presented. I liked the one uploaded by yahyarawatyoutube.com, and you will notice that there is so much more on this web page. Imagine the impact as this teacher uses the Smart Interactive White Board as the vehicle for bringing the world-wide-web into the classroom.

Speaking to a senior Science teacher today about which parts of the Science syllabus will be taught at the start of the 2^nd term, he indicated that he would be looking at “Rates of reactions.” If your School, like he’s received Crocodile Clips (now called Yenka) Science software, then please have a look at the “Rates of Reaction” subfolder inside Crocodile Chemistry “Contents” folder.

This folder contains simulations entitled:

1.       Catalysts and rate

2.       Concentration and rate

3.       Definition of reaction rate

4.       Gunpowder and explosions

5.       Measuring reaction rate

6.       Surface area and rate

7.       Temperature and rate

Some of these simulations require higher order analysis; while others are simpler. However, in all cases they provide a visual (simulated) dimension to your discussion of the topic and will no doubt contribute to better understanding. One simply has to open the simulation and follow the brief prompts.

The “Other Examples” folder contains similar simulations (as the similarity in names will show) which have been collated from the earlier version of Crocodile clips.

If your School doesn’t have the software you can access parts of it for free. Simply use the URL www.crocodile-clips.com/science/  In the box “Yenka Content” simply select “Chemistry.”  This will progressively reveal 32 pages of content!  I found “Catalysts and rate” on page 4. Select it and follow the prompts. Interestingly, at this point you will find several other simulations on the topic of rates of reactions.

“Google this …Google that …” there seems be no end to what one can google … but, really, can one google a Science project ? Yes, you can.

Google has arranged a virtual Global Science Fair that will allow you and your learners to participate in a Science program they are running with the added benefit of exposing your learners internationally! Why not try doing this years’s Science project differently.

The details follow:

Google Science Fair? World’s largest online science competition! Here’s a fun video to share.

Who can enter? Students aged 13 to 18 from around the world working on their own or in a team of two or three. Excluded countries are: Iran, North Korea, Sudan, Cuba, Myanmar, Syria, and Zimbabwe

How? Create a Google Account, complete a sign up form, plan/execute science project, and fill-in Google’s online project submission application, incl. two-min video or PPT (sample here). There is no cost to enter and no financial implication to be considered.

Deadline? April 4, 2011

Judging? Projects will be judged by a panel of teachers. In May, 60 global semi finalists’ projects will be posted online for public voting for a “People’s Choice Award”. They will be whittled down to 15 finalists who will be flown to Google HQ in California, USA for a celebratory Science Fair event and a finalist judging round in front of acclaimed scientists, including Nobel Laureates. A finalist winner will be selected from each of the age categories, 13-14, 15-16, 17-18.

One of the finalist winners will be named the Grand Prize Winner.

Prizes? Finalists will receive a range of prizes from Google and their partners, LEGO, Scientific American, National Geographic and CERN. More info is here.

There are so many colleagues involved in the insatiable quest of developing software to make learning easier and more enjoyable – like Dominic of Yenka, a UK-based organization that has been supplying Khanya with its Science software and hardware. He recently wrote me the following offer:

 “Some news about a short, but very good, special offer.
We want schools to try our new Sumdog mathemtatics games, but most of the teachers we know cover science and technology.

So we’re offering a free unlimited site licence for our Absorb Physics software - worth UK £400 (US $640) - to  teachers who encourage their mathematical colleagues to try Sumdog:
http://www.yenka.com/blogs/leaderintechnology/#get_absorb_physics_free_for  “

Since many of our Science teachers also teach Mathematics, I am sure that you will find the site useful. But, please, share and share alike by posting a comment on this blog whether positive or negative.

This is the time of the year when most teachers are all ‘spaced out’. Question papers, memos, mark sheets, schedules and many other wonderful forms of paper work consume the last remaining energy. So, many seek diversions to maintain some sense of sanity.

If this is what you do, then why not pop into the Khanya Lab and allow your mind to visit abroad. You may find something really interesting at the following NASA destinations:

• Do-It-Yourself Podcast  http://www.nasa.gov/education/diypodcast

• NASA eClips (Video learning clips) http://www.nasa.gov/education/nasaeclips

• NASA’s Digital Learning Network (Web casts) http://www.nasa.gov/education/dln

• NASA Education TV Schedule http://www.nasa.gov/education/tvschedule

• Image Galleries http://www.nasa.gov/education/galleries

Then too, Alphabetical Lists of NASA Topics for Education offer a fast way to find information about NASA topics, education pages for missions, and interesting pages for students. View the following pages:

• Educators http://www.nasa.gov/education/edu_AZ

• Students 9–12 http://www.nasa.gov/education/stu912_AZ

• Students K–8 http://www.nasa.gov/education/stuK8_AZ

In a recent circular received from the National Professional Teachers Organisation of South Africa, some very useful information was shared with Life Science teachers.

Attention is directed to the Department of Basic Education’s Circular E16/2010 which announced changes to the format of the Life Sciences NSC exam for 2011.  The  document makes reference to:

·       Weighting of the learning outcomes;

·       Sequence of strands/knowledge areas;

·       Weighting of strands/knowledge areas;

·       Format of the exam question paper;

·       Weighting of the cognitive levels.

Teachers of Grade 12 Life Sciences are advised to obtain a copy of Circular E16 – go to www.naptosa.org.za (“What’s New”).