Tech Talk: What's Happening at Episcopal Collegiate School?

In recent years, many schools across the country have adopted digital textbooks or e-books to replace traditional paper textbooks.  Episcopal Collegiate School is no exception.  Several of our teachers in the Math and Science department have adopted e-books as part of their curriculum or offered the students the option to use a traditional textbook or e-book.  

Digital textbooks can take many forms including, a PDF version of the textbook, a digital version of a traditional textbook with a rich array of multimedia material, or teacher created textbooks.  Teachers now have access to many "open source" textbooks that allow them to customize content to best fit their course.  One such organization is CK12.  This non-profit organization seeks to provide teachers with quality content developed by expert educators. 

The teachers here at Episcopal have found many advantages to using ebooks.  In Michelle Dowell's Physics class the e-book allows students access to simulations. In her Advanced Physics class the e-book includes e-activities that guide students through complex problem solving and simulations. Lavada Pierce uses the e-book, Modern Chemistry.  She believes it provides extra support materials in the form of videos, simulations, and interactive review activities and is a more affordable option. In addition, teachers cite the benefits to the environment, the reduction in the weight of student backpacks, as well as the addition of frequent updates.  

The Anatomy and Physiology class has completed their stem cell research web sites. If you have always wondered what exactly stem cells are, or how they are used in medical research check out the following web site. 

Stem Cells 

The eighth grade Physical Science classes began a project this week that asks them to design a new ride for a hypothetical amusement park that will open in the Little Rock area.  The ride must be designed and created using simple machines.  To jump start this project, the eighth graders came to the TLC on Thursday to complete a web quest. This web quest introduced them to Rube Goldberg, and his elaborate drawings using simple machines to complete everyday tasks. Their study of Rube Goldberg's "machines" will serve as inspiration as they begin planning their amusement park ride.  

"Who Needs Simple When Complex is More Fun?  A Rube Goldberg Approach to Problem Solving. 

Students, Parents, and Teachers:  Don't forget about the Fine Arts blog.  Check it out at:  http://fineartecs.blogspot.com

Katie Robinson