Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/whole-class-with-phet-for-stem-education
Are you a STEM educator looking for engaging ways to bring your lessons to life? The Coursera course ‘Whole Class with PhET for STEM Education’ offers a fantastic opportunity to harness the power of PhET Interactive Simulations, a project of the University of Colorado Boulder. These research-based, free, and interactive simulations are designed to make science and math concepts accessible and fun for students at all levels.
This course is specifically tailored for educators who want to effectively use PhET simulations in a whole-class setting, whether you’re teaching in person with a projector or remotely via screen sharing. It breaks down complex teaching strategies into manageable modules, providing practical tools and techniques that you can implement immediately.
**What You’ll Learn:**
* **Module 1: PhET in Whole Class Strategies:** This foundational module sets the stage by exploring various methods for presenting PhET simulations to an entire class, ensuring maximum engagement regardless of your setup.
* **Module 2: Whole Class Inquiry:** Discover how to foster student curiosity and uncover their prior knowledge through open-ended questioning. This module empowers you to ask more creative questions and gauge student understanding at the start of new topics.
* **Module 3: Interactive Lecture Demonstrations:** Learn to guide student thinking with targeted prediction questions, supported by structured worksheets and collaborative discussions. This strategy is excellent for focusing on specific concepts and promoting metacognition.
* **Module 4: Concept Questions:** Master the art of crafting multiple-choice questions that stimulate critical thinking. You’ll explore techniques like contrasting cases, ordering, and interpreting representations, all designed to encourage peer instruction and active learning.
* **Module 5: Planning to Use Whole Class Strategies:** Put your learning into practice by designing two actionable activities using the strategies covered in the course. This hands-on module ensures you’re ready to apply these methods in your own classroom.
* **Module 6: Conclusion and Next Steps:** The course concludes with a reflective exercise, encouraging you to assess your progress, provide valuable feedback, and learn how to access your certificate.
**Why We Recommend It:**
The ‘Whole Class with PhET for STEM Education’ course is a game-changer for any STEM teacher. It moves beyond simply using simulations to teaching you *how* to use them strategically for deeper learning. The emphasis on inquiry, structured questioning, and peer instruction equips you with pedagogical approaches that enhance student understanding and participation. The course is well-structured, easy to follow, and provides concrete examples that make the strategies highly applicable.
If you’re looking to boost engagement, deepen conceptual understanding, and make your STEM lessons more dynamic, this Coursera course is an invaluable resource. It’s an investment in your teaching practice that will undoubtedly benefit your students.
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/whole-class-with-phet-for-stem-education