R. F. Carlton

carltonr@physics.mtsu.edu

R. F. Carlton

Physics & Astronomy

Master Classroom

WPS 200

Replacement of Existing Technology

Existing Mac 7300's are excruciatingly slow for the applications used; there are incessant lock-ups, producing student frustration. Great is the need for instructor to be able to demonstrate, through the LCD projector, the use of simulation software used in the pedagogy.

Install limited-capability master classroom in Physical Science classroom/laboratory WPS 200). Room is used continuously MTWR for elementary education preservice students. The numbers are 200 per year. Room 200 is the assigned classroom for all the sections of PSI 4030, Experimental Physical Science. This course is the "capstone" science course for pre-service teachers. As teachers in the 21st Century, these pre-professionals must be exposed in meaningful ways to the educational technology that will shape practice in the new classrooms where learning is by inquiry and discovery, rather than rote acquisition of "factoids." The best classrooms of the future will involve multimedia, including powerful simulations in which students are in charge of their own learning, effective use of the web, visual clips, compilations on CD-ROMs, and close-up, real time demonstrations in which students see and practice the activities.