Madison Frank - ISCI 761 - Information Technologies in the School Library Program

ExploreLearning Gizmos: A Review of Its Role in 3–12 Math and Science Classrooms ExploreLearning Gizmos is an online library of interactive math and science simulations designed for students in grades 3 through 12. The platform includes over 400 virtual labs and simulations aligned with state and national standards. Gizmos are used to enhance conceptual understanding by allowing students to manipulate variables, visualize data, and explore complex systems in ways that traditional instruction often cannot provide. From modeling photosynthesis to experimenting with slope-intercept form, Gizmos offers interactive and inquiry-based learning experiences that support STEM education. One of the strengths of Gizmos is its flexibility across different learning levels and teaching styles. Teachers can assign simulations as part of direct instruction, use them to introduce new content, or implement them as part of a flipped classroom model. Students benefit from hands-on learning that encourages ...

Experimenting with AI for Engaging Lab Safety Lessons This past year, I’ve started using AI to improve my communication with families, especially when it comes to writing emails or letters. As someone with a very direct personality, I’ve always struggled with written messages sounding too blunt or overly formal. Using AI has helped me find a more balanced tone, still professional, but with a softer and more approachable voice. So far, I’ve mainly used it to assist with parent communication, but recently I decided to branch out. Since I haven’t experimented much with using AI for lesson planning, I decided to explore ChatGPT’s Secondary Science Teacher tool to see how it might help me create more engaging lessons aligned with my sixth-grade science curriculum. I chose to focus on a unit I always begin the year with: lab safety. Each year, I mix up the activity I use to teach students the rules and procedures for working safely in our science labs. I enjoy keeping things fresh—but somet...

Tool Name: Google Docs Voice Typing While Google Docs is widely used for collaborative writing and editing, one of its lesser-known but incredibly powerful features is Voice Typing, a built-in speech-to-text tool that can be used as an adaptive technology resource for students with learning differences, fine motor challenges, or language processing difficulties. How to Locate and Use Voice Typing in Google Docs: Access Google Docs by visiting https://docs.google.com and logging in with a Google account. Open a new or existing document. Click on the “Tools” menu and select “Voice typing…” A microphone icon will appear. Click it to start speaking. The tool will transcribe spoken words into text in real time. Speak clearly and include punctuation commands ("period," "comma") for accuracy. No extensions or installations are required. It’s already integrated into Google Docs and works in Chrome browsers! Google Docs Voice Typing can be a game-changer for students with d...

Today’s classrooms have the power to bring the unseen world into focus—literally! One piece of educational hardware that is transforming how students observe, question, and explore the world around them is the digital microscope and probe. These tools allow learners to zoom in on everyday objects, living organisms, and chemical reactions in real time, with the ability to project images on screens or save them for deeper analysis. Unlike traditional microscopes, digital microscopes connect to a computer or interactive display, often via USB or Wi-Fi, and project magnified images onto a larger screen. Some include handheld probes that allow students to measure temperature, pH, salinity, or conductivity in real-time, making them versatile for cross-disciplinary use in science, health, and environmental education. These tools are especially useful in group investigations, student-led experiments, or even in virtual learning settings where multiple students need access to the same image or ...