Explore interactive technology tools and virtual reality (VR)

Scenario
Assume you are a science teacher at a local elementary school. After teaching for the past 6 months, your principal has noticed you possess some excellent teaching techniques he would like you to share with your colleagues. He has asked you to present a professional development session about teaching STEM in the elementary classroom.

Preparation
Research the following science and engineering practices for teaching STEM:
• Engineering by design
• Problem-based learning
• Discovery learning

Explore interactive technology tools and virtual reality (VR) applications used in education, such as Labster VR, to understand how immersive reality can change or enhance STEM education.

Create a 15- to 20-slide presentation in which you showcase the 3 science and engineering practices for teaching STEM that you researched and explain how to utilize each practice in curriculum planning and instruction.

Include the following strategies for the 3 science and engineering practices (engineering by design, problem-based learning, and discovery learning):
• Classroom setup and student grouping
• Describe how you would set up your classroom and group students.
• Student collaboration
• Describe implementation ideas, including managing collaborative student structures.
• Safety
• Explain methods for ensuring a safe and positive science learning environment.
• Assessment
• Explain strategies for using assessment data to inform planning, instruction, and student learning.
• Student exploration
• Describe opportunities for learners to develop communication skills by asking and responding to questions.
• Questioning techniques
• Explain its purpose and provide at least 3 examples.
• Interactive technology
• Identify interactive technology tools, such as augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), and explain how you would use the tools to foster a culture where learners take ownership of their learning goals.
• Real-world connection
• Explain ways to connect to real-world experiences through experiential learning, such as VR. Provide examples.