RAL Technology inquiry-based learning in  the twenty-first century
Introduction  Thank you for taking the time to view this presentation.  It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we introduce you to the benefits of Remote Access Technology for the classroom.  This technology provides unique learning opportunities which otherwise would be logistically impossible in a classroom situation, and it’s easy to achieve.
RAL  Technology What is a RAL (Remote Access Laboratory)? RAL allow users to have experiments set up in a laboratory as per project requirements with state of the art equipment. Users are then able to log into the lab via the Internet and control all of the equipment and record results in real-time from a remote location.
RAL  Technology Benefits of RAL Access to sophisticated scientific equipment otherwise inaccessible in conventional school science programs due to expense and time restraints  Access not limited by location or time zone Provides superior access for students with disabilities  Students are able to log into the lab via the Internet and control all of the equipment and record results in real-time from a remote location. * See Resources 1 for detailed examination of RAL technology and benefits
Inquiry Task Inquiry Learning components of this unit have been designed to complement Science, Technology and ICT  Students must gather information, test design elements  and record data. The process will raise such questions as - Will this work?, Why doesn’t it work?, What can I do to make it work? * See Resources 2 for detailed Inquiry analysis
KLAs Key Learning Areas ( QSA Essential Learnings by the End of Year 7) Science Energy and Change Technology Technology as a human endeavour Information, materials and systems (resources) ICTs Inquiring with ICTs * See Resources 3 for detailed presentation of KLAs
GRASPS The task uses the GRASPS design model . G oal R ole A udience S ituation P roduct  S tandards for Success Wiggins, G. &McTighe, J. ( 2003).  Understanding by design: Teaching & Assessing for in-depth, engaging and effective learning . Professional Workshop. San Francisco: ASCD .
Goal Using knowledge of force and motion, design a challenging and fun all weather remote control car track for a public community space.  Drive a test vehicle in a remote access laboratory (RAL) to experiment with surfaces, gradients, cornering and straights.  Collect data then justify resulting design decisions .
Role Students will work in teams of two. They will assume the role of  LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS  who are preparing a design to tender for the job of building the remote control car track for a community space.  They are given specifications to which they must adhere – for example, the track must include a particular number of surfaces, a variety of gradients, and options for beginner and advanced ‘drivers’. They will justify their design upon completion by providing data collected during RAL trials.
Audience When the designs and justifications are complete, they will be judged by a panel of community members and representatives from the Radiator Springs Council.  The panel will rate the designs and award the job of building the track to the team with the best design.
Situation Teams of two Submissions are to be of a revolutionary nature, giving the  community a state of the art racing complex. There is ample space to build a track which can be used by all members of the community – children, youth and adults. The council requirements are for an all weather track, that will be usable at all times of the year.  The council is looking for a facility that will be able to sustain competitions being held at the track over long weekend periods for example.
Product The design proposal (drawn/computer generated) The proposed track must include –  Sections suitable for beginner and advanced remote control car users Surfaces which will be suitable for all weather conditions A variety of surfaces, gradients, straights and corners Justification of design decisions must include - Data gathered during testing potential surfaces and gradients Links to scientific knowledge of force and motion
Standards for  Success  Designs must : Be neatly presented – either drawn or computer generated – and clearly labeled Meet specifications of using a variety of surfaces, gradients, straights and corners Be suitable for both beginner and advanced users Be supported with relevant data and scientific justifications

Grasps powerpoint final

  • 1.
    RAL Technology inquiry-basedlearning in the twenty-first century
  • 2.
    Introduction Thankyou for taking the time to view this presentation. It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we introduce you to the benefits of Remote Access Technology for the classroom. This technology provides unique learning opportunities which otherwise would be logistically impossible in a classroom situation, and it’s easy to achieve.
  • 3.
    RAL TechnologyWhat is a RAL (Remote Access Laboratory)? RAL allow users to have experiments set up in a laboratory as per project requirements with state of the art equipment. Users are then able to log into the lab via the Internet and control all of the equipment and record results in real-time from a remote location.
  • 4.
    RAL TechnologyBenefits of RAL Access to sophisticated scientific equipment otherwise inaccessible in conventional school science programs due to expense and time restraints Access not limited by location or time zone Provides superior access for students with disabilities Students are able to log into the lab via the Internet and control all of the equipment and record results in real-time from a remote location. * See Resources 1 for detailed examination of RAL technology and benefits
  • 5.
    Inquiry Task InquiryLearning components of this unit have been designed to complement Science, Technology and ICT Students must gather information, test design elements and record data. The process will raise such questions as - Will this work?, Why doesn’t it work?, What can I do to make it work? * See Resources 2 for detailed Inquiry analysis
  • 6.
    KLAs Key LearningAreas ( QSA Essential Learnings by the End of Year 7) Science Energy and Change Technology Technology as a human endeavour Information, materials and systems (resources) ICTs Inquiring with ICTs * See Resources 3 for detailed presentation of KLAs
  • 7.
    GRASPS The taskuses the GRASPS design model . G oal R ole A udience S ituation P roduct S tandards for Success Wiggins, G. &McTighe, J. ( 2003). Understanding by design: Teaching & Assessing for in-depth, engaging and effective learning . Professional Workshop. San Francisco: ASCD .
  • 8.
    Goal Using knowledgeof force and motion, design a challenging and fun all weather remote control car track for a public community space. Drive a test vehicle in a remote access laboratory (RAL) to experiment with surfaces, gradients, cornering and straights. Collect data then justify resulting design decisions .
  • 9.
    Role Students willwork in teams of two. They will assume the role of LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTS who are preparing a design to tender for the job of building the remote control car track for a community space. They are given specifications to which they must adhere – for example, the track must include a particular number of surfaces, a variety of gradients, and options for beginner and advanced ‘drivers’. They will justify their design upon completion by providing data collected during RAL trials.
  • 10.
    Audience When thedesigns and justifications are complete, they will be judged by a panel of community members and representatives from the Radiator Springs Council. The panel will rate the designs and award the job of building the track to the team with the best design.
  • 11.
    Situation Teams oftwo Submissions are to be of a revolutionary nature, giving the community a state of the art racing complex. There is ample space to build a track which can be used by all members of the community – children, youth and adults. The council requirements are for an all weather track, that will be usable at all times of the year. The council is looking for a facility that will be able to sustain competitions being held at the track over long weekend periods for example.
  • 12.
    Product The designproposal (drawn/computer generated) The proposed track must include – Sections suitable for beginner and advanced remote control car users Surfaces which will be suitable for all weather conditions A variety of surfaces, gradients, straights and corners Justification of design decisions must include - Data gathered during testing potential surfaces and gradients Links to scientific knowledge of force and motion
  • 13.
    Standards for Success Designs must : Be neatly presented – either drawn or computer generated – and clearly labeled Meet specifications of using a variety of surfaces, gradients, straights and corners Be suitable for both beginner and advanced users Be supported with relevant data and scientific justifications

Editor's Notes

  • #3 Thank you for taking the time to view this presentation. It is with great pleasure and enthusiasm that we introduce you to the benefits of Remote Access Technology for the classroom. The beauty of this technology is that it is very much what is happening now in the world of technology and research but it is also very easily accessed. It opens the way to creating unique learning experiences which would otherwise be logistically impossible to achieve in a regular classroom situation.
  • #4 You may not have heard of RAL, Remote Access Laboratories are professionally setup, scientific labs which can be accessed via the Internet. Users can perform their tasks with this equipment and record results in real time from any location. This is an amazing opportunity for schools to engage in such authentic tasks.
  • #5 It does not matter if you are a school in a small rural community or in the middle of the city, if you have internet access you are able access the laboratory. This is an opportunity to prepare your students for the future, by providing them with learning opportunities that will assist them in a world where technology is ever more enveloping. The beauty of RAL technology is in its diversity and accessibility. As educators we are always concerned with the need to cater for the diversity of learners we have in our care. We endevour to make the learning experiences the best possible for all students. RAL technology provides the answers to many of the concerns teachers share, in being able to meet the requirements of all students. By nature, this technology allows access for students who may have a disability that would otherwise prevent them from participating in hands on learning experiences. There are avenues for exploration for students of all different capabilities, learning styles, age groups and areas of interest.
  • #6 As a Principal, you can appreciate the immense benefits of having an engaged and motivated staff and student body. This inquiry task has been designed to incorporat KLAs for sience, ICT and technology and generate a love of learning and teaching. Students will… Which will motivate and excite for the teachers and students alike, creating s a really positive learning atmosphere. As you view this presentation we would encourage you to envisage the types of inquiry, problem-solving, collaboration, and higher order thinking skills that students would be engaged in when given an opportunity to learn using RAL technology. We also encourage your thoughts toward the intrinsic motivation and curiosity that is generated when learners are exposed to such a scope of possibilities.
  • #7 RAL Technology is a brilliant vehicle for inquiry based learning and working collaboratively. The benefits of this type of learning and teaching experience are immeasurable in value. Learning opportunities using RAL technology reach deep and wide by combining KLAs and producing rich material for inquiry across many subject areas.
  • #8 In this particular inquiry task, the children have been challenged to design a remote control car track which meets specific criteria. Please take a moment to read this Task in Brief. (give some time to read)
  • #9 As you can see, we have used the GRASPS framework for designing an inquiry task. The GRASPS framework is valuable in channeling the students focus on the specific task objectives, in this case designing a remote control car track. The first aspect of the grasp model is the Goal, Students will
  • #10 The students involved in this task assumed the role of Landscape Architects, who are preparing a tender to submit to council. Other students play the role of the council members, evaluating the submissions and providing peer-assessment whilst developing their own skills in criteria assessment. This is just one idea of how a teacher could develop lessons using this technology but there are many possibilities which are equally as exciting for students, teachers and the broader school community and reflects some of the amazing work being done with robotics in the area of scientific research.
  • #11 You can appreciate how the authenticity of this project could engage students and bring family and community members into our schools. This is something we know helps to build a strong sense of belonging and connection between children, their families and teachers, which in turn brings contentment and a sense of achievement.
  • #12 Similar frameworks to the GRASPS framework marry neatly with RAL Technology and produce high quality student outcomes. BY situating the task in a real world scenario, students are encouraged to immerses themselves in the role of inquiry, exposing them to real world problem solving and task management.
  • #13 Using the GRASPS framework highlights the opportunities for students to become self-evaluative and reflective in their learning practice, this is crucial in all people achieving to the best of their ability and fosters a considered approach to living and encourages personal growth
  • #14 The Standards for Success give students clear focus for their inquiry. Students can even potentially be involved in deciding the marking criteria for the task by suggesting track elements and degrees of success. This is a great way to ensure students have ownership of their learning and see the relevance of the learning experience. Please take your time to absorb the possibilities presented by using RAL Technology in your classrooms. Within our web page, we have provided further information about the RAL Technology and inquiry learning. We look forward to your feedback.