John B. Cole

Date of Award

1993

Type

Thesis

Major

Specialist in Education

Degree Type

Special Degree in Education in Secondary Science Education

Department

Teacher Education

First Advisor

Dr. Ernest Riggsby

Second Advisor

Dr. Francis Gardner

Third Advisor

Dr. Carolyn Cartledge

Abstract

Because of the increased availability and use of microcomputers in the high school, it is extremely important for science teachers to begin to incorporate this invaluable tool in their classrooms and laboratories. Science teachers need to employ the advantages that computer-based education offers. Since studying science not only involves learning factual information and learning how to solve predetermined problems, but also directly observing and monitoring naturally occurring events, there are possibilities for the use of microcomputers in science that do not exist in other areas of study.

One of the most imaginative ways that microcomputers can be used in science education is in a microcomputer-based laboratory. In this type of laboratory, the microcomputer is used as a data gathering and data analyzing instrument. Laboratory data collecting devices, such as photogates and temperature transducer probes, are interfaced with the microcomputer. The microcomputer contains a program designed to control and receive information from the probes and to store this information. The program can analyze this information and show and print this information in the form of charts and graphs. The computer program may also be capable of mathematical manipulation of the data so the data can be fitted to show some special relationship.

Download

Share

COinS