Ways to Improve Science Literacy in Your Classroom Using Technology

Shuana Jordan
eLearning Product Manager

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To help improve the science literacy of your students, enhance your instruction by integrating technology into your classroom. Here are some suggestions you can use to improve science literacy and address some of the key issues you may face in your classroom. Using these techniques could help meet the diverse needs of your students, further student inquiry, and improve student understanding of difficult science topics.

Improve science vocabulary

To improve science literacy, help students develop their science vocabulary. Here are some techniques to help with vocabulary development.

1. Use either Web-based flashcard tools or mobile apps for creating flashcards. Your students can then use these tools to practice new vocabulary terms in class or at home.
2. Recommend that students use online dictionaries or science glossary videos that help to explain the abstract or complex terms they encounter.
3. Ask students to use Web-based mind maps or graphic organizer tools to create their own flow charts, graphic organizers, or mind maps to outline key terms or concepts after they read their science text.

Build content knowledge

Another issue may be improving the students’ ability to build content knowledge by reading informational text. Here are some ideas to help students build their content knowledge and comprehension skills when reading.

1. Provide to students the transcripts from science videos. Then have students read the transcripts, highlight key terms and vocabulary words, and then watch the videos. This provides students with contextually relevant access to informational text.
2. Use a digital version of your science textbook, for example an eBook, and have students use the annotation tools, such as the highlighting of key terms or concepts. Also have students take notes that help them understand the science material.
3. Use digital interactive notebooks or notebook apps to help students record their understanding of science concepts before reading or after reading text or passages.

Sharpen communication skills

Lastly, students may struggle to demonstrate their understanding of complex science concepts through effective communication. Here are some examples to help students develop their listening and writing skills.

1. Recommend blogs, forums, discussion boards, or social media sites to have students share and publish questions they may have about a particular science topic. Students can also respond and collaborate electronically with their classmates in real time.

2. Have students use digital interactive notebooks or notebook apps to write responses to questions and scientific investigations you have conducted in your class.

3. Have students use Web-based documents that allow collaboration in real time with their lab group members to work on their lab reports. Students can create and edit their lab reports. Then they also can use these tools to record observations and results, write responses to lab questions, make predictions, and draw conclusions after completing lab activities.

Conclusion

Using technology as part of your instruction opens up new opportunities for students to develop their science literacy. Technology also provides students the opportunity to interact in different ways. Through the use of technology, students can develop their science vocabulary, build their science knowledge, and improve their communication skills.