Simple Machines

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SIMPLE MACHINES

Alba Mas Garolera
INS Vil·la Romana
La Garriga
GEP 2017-18

The 21st century is part of the computer age, and an education in technology is more important now than ever, because we are getting students ready for jobs that have not yet been invented. The first theme for the 21st century is learning and innovation and this includes: Creativity and Innovation, Critical Thinking and Problem Solving, and Communication and Collaboration. The second theme is Information, Media and Technology skills, which includes: Information Literacy, Media Literacy, and ICT Literacy.

This project has been created to increase 3^rd ESO students’ knowledge of simple machines. As well to experience how they work and cooperate together. Students have seen how to use the appropriate forms of technology to create an efficient simple machine, as well as gained an understanding of what makes machines move, ways to calculate Force, Resistance among others’ magnitudes and being clear which measurement unit has each magnitude.

Finally they had to create a 360 degree video explaining a simple machine or something in accordance with a simple mechanical unit. They knew that all videos I collected will be viewed next year by new 3^rd ESO students.

It is shown that when a student uses virtual glasses, what surround him disappears. There is only himself in his virtual word. No classmates bother him, and there is nothing to cause him to lose his concentration, which allows him to be more attentive. That’s why I guess it might be a good way to use these videos next academic year.

RESULTS

1.- Get Google Cardboard and assemble it

2.- Open the You Tube app

3.- Go to the 360Video link or visit 360Video house channel and start playback

4.- Tap the cardboard icon

You’ll notice that the screen splits into two smaller screens.

5.- Insert your phone into Cardboard.

6.- Look around to view the video in 360 degrees.

To use Cardboard with iOS devices, you’ll need to have iOS 9.

REFLECTION

Technology has become a large part of our everyday lives, and I feel it is important to educate students that every form of complex technology/machine started with a simple machine.

To improve my teaching I need to learn how to incorporate different learning styles, as well as how to include each student’s unique skills and interests into the subject they are learning.

All of the activities I used allowed students to work in groups, so that they could collaborate and share ideas- and, learn to work with others. I think that relating the subject to things that matter in the student’s life makes them wonder how it works, and makes them want to dig deeper to find the answer. Each activity, and the questions that are generated, make students create ideas, think outside of the box, and work together to solve a problem.

This project was a great learning experience for me, because it taught me that preparing for class can take time and require a lot of planning.

By getting students to ask a question, it makes them engage in the topic. Most of my activities are very hands on, but I think that I need to include a greater variety of learning styles to my activities because students enjoyed it when activities were varied.

By giving the students the ability to choose the simple machine they wanted to explain in their 360 video, it allows them to imagine and create something with the skills that they have been taught in the classroom. Some of the 360 videos I received; use vocabulary that will be difficult for students who will only start the simple machines unit next year, which is why I will use it as a reminder method in throughout the Batxillerat.

I want to thank Teresa Casas, my GEP teacher, for her support and patience.

RESOURCES

Thanks for the help:

Simple Machines
Super website that helps you to create a nice project.

Moving along with simple machines
Website that helps inspire lessons plans for simple machines across the different curriculum.

Simple Machines and Word
Link leads you to a great Powerpoint about simple machines and work.

Activities
Lever exercises.

Activities
Pulley exercises.

Quiz
Great link to get ideas about simple machines.

Activities
Inclined Plane.

I want to thank Teresa Casas, my GEP teacher, for her support and patience.