FEW FACTS

"... Leadership tomorrow depends on how we educate our students today—especially in science, technology, engineering and math."

— President Barack Obama, September 16, 2010

http://www.ir.lv/2014/1/23/fizikas-kimijas-eksamens-starp-divam-valdibam

http://www.lsm.lv/lv/raksts/latvija/zinas/iespejams-domas-par-obligatiem-eksakto-zinatnju-eksameniem.a67169

http://www.ed.gov/stem

WHAT IS GOERUDIO?

1. It is a learning method;2. It is based on users’ direct involvement in

learning process;3. It encourages user to explain complex

formulas, laws of physics and other concepts presented by teachers through simple examples.

HOW GOERUDIO DIFFERS FROM OTHER METHODS?

1. It facilitates learning rather than teaching and does not conflict with traditional teaching methods.

2. Goerudio provides an internet based framework through which the user pool (students) refine the concepts and models in support of any given subject.

3. Through active involvement in the process and the use of familiar examples learners gain a better understanding of the underlying principles or processes;

4. Interaction and communication among the users help to develop a common understanding of the concepts and their relationships to relevant laws of science and mathematics.

Objective physical processes in

nature

Definition, explanation

Formula, symbol

Units of measurement

Comprehension on processes &

notions

Agreement

Agreement

Agreement

goerudio.com

To learn

To learn

To learn

Definitions, explanations et al.

Formulas, notions and units of measurement

Comprehension –WHERE?

No comprehension = fears (bad grades, failures

et al.)

If we teach nature and its processes through models we make hard science more understandable.

We create comprehension.

It refers to any processes including technical ones.

PRACTICAL WORKSHOP

1.Create individual models, present them;

2. Work in groups; discuss results in classroom;

3. Analyse other students models and discuss them in the classroom;

4.Teacher acts as consultant as well as give the right direction throughout the process;

APSORPTION

Light passing through an optical system can be attenuated by absorption and by scattering. Light absorption is a physical process during which the intensity of the light reduces.

MODEL:

You can compare absorption with gravel which goes through a sieve. A part of the gravel cannot go through the sieve (it absorbs it), but a part of the gravel (in this case – sand) gets through.

As n increases, the orbital becomes larger and the electron spends more time farther fromthe nucleus. As n increases, the electron is also at a higher potential energy and is thereforeless tightly bound to the nucleus(n -principal quantum number )

The floor is the lowest energy level. A step that is more far up equals to higher energy level. The

green ball is an electron. Force is needed to move the ball up the stairs (“push” the electron out

of its original state). If the ball (electron) reaches the end of the stairs, it will roll away. The ball

can only fall back down in certain “portions” = steps (energy levels).

Bohr model

DIAMAGNETICSIn some materials, the total field due to the electrons in each atom sums to zero when there is no external field; such materials have no net atomic current loops. But even in these materials, magnetic effects are present, because an external field causes slight distortion of the electron current loops. The additional field caused by this distortion is always opposite in direction to that of the external field. Suchmaterials are said to be diamagnetic.

MODEL: Diamagnetics are like people who love to argue. Whatever others will say diamagnetics will have opposite opinion (will magnetize in opposite to induction direction of magnetic field). Most of the society (magnets) dislike these people, they try to avoid them, repels diamagnetic.

MODEL: The effect is called power impulse. Ant can have the same

power impulse as elephant does if elephant runs slowly but aunt

reaches speed characteristic to space speeds.

POWER IMPULSEDefinition: Impulse of force describes force effect to object in time

IzotopiDefinīcija: Atoma kodolus, kuros ir atšķirīgs neitronu skaits, sauc par izotopiem.

Modelis: Izotopi ir kā mārītes, kurām atšķiras punktu skaits uz muguras. Punktu skaits nemaina to, ka abi kukaiņi ir

mārītes.

Wrong model show what students does not understand

MASS DEFECTThe total mass of a nucleus is always less than the total mass of its constituentparts because of the mass equivalent of the internal kinetic energyand of the (negative) potential energy associated with the attractive forces thathold the nucleus together. This mass difference is called the mass defect.

MODEL: Woman walks down the road and breaks off the heal. This is mass

defect.

GRAVITYTheory: gravity is equal to the mass and gravitational acceleration power.

MODEL: a parachute jumper will fall slower on Moon if compared to Earth because it has lesser gravitational acceleration power.

All the processes can be met in nature. Nature is interesting. Parents are tired of kids eternal questions – WHY? It is a natural interest in environment surrounding us.

When this interest is destroyed?

Who and in which grade turns this interest into horror and fear?

STUDENT OPINIONS I really enjoyed creating models. I could dig deeper in notion, search Internet for sources of theory. I understood what I wanted to learn, creating models allowed me to look at the same thing from different perspectives. I enjoyed creating models; I found it interesting, and of course this type of approach helps to understand the subject easier and faster. That is a process that stays in memory. I find it efficient. (Ketija 11b)

I would not say that models help me because trying to find similarities with daily issues create more questions than answers. But it is my personal opinion and most probably models help others to understand the subject matter better. I would prefer some kind of easy - type Wikipedia where are available all the formulas and laws necessary for specific grade and activities. (Madlena 9 klase)

At the moment several countries are involved in creating GOERUDIO project.1.Italy - 10 schools2.Bulgaria - 33.Latvia - 44.Romania - 85.Poland - 56.Slovak Republic - 67.Spain - 5

http://goerudio.pixel-online.org/schools.php

Uldis.heidingers@windowslive.com