The “Models and Modeling” article discusses the qualities of
models that make them good teaching tools within the classroom. Using modeling
in a chemistry classroom is extremely important for the students to be able to understand things that they cannot physically see, like atoms. One point the article made that I agreed with was that a model should not just represent a simple atom, for example, the model should represent events happening within the atom (i.e. electrons moving within the atom). Something that I did not agree with, however, is "...there are some forms of models that are not appropriate for classroom modeling: for example, computer simulations, graphs, equations, or physical replicas." I use computer simulations and physical replicas in my classroom all the time. Without computer simulations, students have a difficult time understanding and remembering things that they cannot see. These simulations give my students models that they can refer to during discussions and assessments within the classroom.
The second article focuses on ways to increase engagement of students in every lesson. This article suggests that you need an "anchoring event" for the students to relate the topic back to. If the students have something to relate the topic back to, they are more likely to wonder how it all happens, and furthermore why it happens. One way to do this is to "develop essential questions to go with your anchoring events." I really like the idea to "hang" an entire unit on one question, and making sure that question relates back to real life events for the students is essential in order to increase engagement.
Both of these articles provided tools to increase student engagement in the classroom. In order for our students to be interested in the how and why behind the topics that we teach, it is our job as teachers to provide them with enough information to become interested in the topic. Overall, I agree that the correct use of modeling and the right questioning and relating topics back to real-life examples will overall increase engagement within the classroom.
I like how you identified that modeling is needed in chemistry classrooms. Your example of modeling the structure of an atom provides a great example of the importance of modeling. I like your honestly as related to your disagreement with the author’s definition of poor modelings such as computer simulations. I think computer simulations can be one of the best tools for modeling especially for SPED students. Students will have the ability to obtain more knowledge via computer and create more complex models.
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