Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/teach-light-color
As a science enthusiast and educator, I am always on the lookout for professional development opportunities that can enhance my teaching skills and deepen my understanding of complex topics. Recently, I had the pleasure of completing the ‘Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers’ course offered by the Exploratorium on Coursera. This course is a treasure trove of knowledge and practical strategies for middle and high school science teachers, and I am excited to share my experience with you.
### Course Overview
The ‘Exploring Light’ course is structured over four weeks, requiring a commitment of 2-4 hours per week. It is designed to engage teachers in hands-on activities that explore the fascinating world of light. The course is taught by the dedicated staff of the Exploratorium Teacher Institute, who are passionate about inquiry-based learning and hands-on experiences.
### Week-by-Week Breakdown
**Week One: Perception**
The course kicks off with an exploration of how our brains interpret visual information. This week, participants engage in activities that demonstrate visual shortcuts and tricks. I particularly enjoyed the experiments on peripheral vision and the afterimage designs, which not only provided insights into human perception but also sparked engaging discussions in the forums.
**Week Two: History of Our Ideas About Light**
In the second week, the course delves into the historical evolution of our understanding of light. This week emphasizes the importance of scientific models and encourages participants to revisit famous experiments. I found this week particularly enlightening as it connected historical context with modern teaching practices.
**Week Three: Optics and Image Making**
The third week focuses on optics and the art of image-making with light. The hands-on activities were not only fun but also instrumental in helping me develop lesson plans that encourage students to build and test their mental models. The collaborative aspect of sharing lesson drafts in the forum was invaluable for receiving feedback.
**Week Four: The Wave Nature of Light**
Finally, the course wraps up with a deep dive into the wave nature of light. This week encourages participants to conduct experiments that illustrate the dual nature of light as both a wave and a particle. The final assignment allowed me to synthesize everything I learned throughout the course, and I appreciated the opportunity to reflect on my experiences.
### Conclusion
Overall, the ‘Exploring Light’ course is an exceptional resource for science teachers looking to enhance their teaching methods and engage their students in the wonders of light. The hands-on activities, collaborative discussions, and rich content make it a must-take course for anyone passionate about science education. I highly recommend it to fellow educators and science enthusiasts alike!
For those interested, you can watch a preview of the course [here](https://youtu.be/fPvT_quBVIw).
Enroll Course: https://www.coursera.org/learn/teach-light-color