What is the Discovery Education Science Techbook?

 

·         Discovery Education Science Techbook is a virtual textbook. That means your students won’t be lugging around that big, heavy book in their backpacks. Instead, they’ll access most of their science curriculum online and by doing hands-on labs or activities in their classroom. Developed after years of research by Discovery Education (part of the Discovery Channel organization), this comprehensive program includes exciting content from resources such as MythBusters, Sid the Science Kid and videos from Animal Planet, to name just a few. We are confident that Techbook’s multi-media approach will excite students curiosity about the wonders of science and immerse them in the process of scientific inquiry. 

·   While there are similarities with traditional science textbooks, including reading passages that are leveled to a student’s proficiency, there are some important differences.  Techbook is primarily a virtual or online resource. Your student will be able to have printed reading material for selected content, but the vast majority of the program’s content is delivered online. While it is certainly advantageous for a student to have a home computer that has Internet access, that is not a program requirement. We will make access available at school in their science classroom, the computer lab, and through the media center.

·    As you know, students learn quite differently today than they did twenty years ago. In a world of multimedia experiences, many of today’s students are visual learners. They are comfortable with a laptop computer and love to collect information to solve challenging problems. Isn’t that a good description of a scientist? Each week, students will be asked to address a few essential questions that are part of the state’s curriculum standards. To answer these questions, they’ll do fascinating virtual labs and hands-on activities, watch engaging videos, or read about real-world events and scientific breakthroughs to better understand earth, life or physical science. Of course, teachers will continue to do occasional whole-class lectures using resources from Discovery and elsewhere, but the focus will shift from the teacher as a lecturer to the student as an active learner.

·   Your teacher will periodically pre-select key, relevant resources that specifically address the essential science questions being studied within that unit. Students will access these resources through the student’s own online access page, called the Student Center. Your child will have the opportunity to select the information resource(s) that best fits his or her learning style in order to answer the essential science questions posed. In this way, they become active participants in their own learning. Through this process, students will become immersed in the process of scientific inquiry and be well prepared for science in higher grades and beyond.

·   We hope that you will be an active partner with your student as they enter this exciting new world. Periodically, you may want to log-on to your student’s Techbook page to see what material is being covered. (Your student will have the website and access code.) But be careful. You may find yourself totally absorbed in the new world of science!

 8 Great Tips for Parents/Guardians to Help Students with Exploring the Discovery Education Science TECHBOOK

Using Science TECHBOOK Resources

• Review completed assessments and assignments with your child.
• Review science vocabulary using the interactive glossary.  Ask your child explain the animation.
• Make a connection to current events by searching for a video on a newsworthy topic like extreme weather
• Reinforce literacy skills by using reading passages for nightly reading with your child.
• Inspire your child’s curiosity by searching for a topic that interests you.

• Allow your child to show what they have learned in class with a virtual lab or exploration.
• Bust myths with your child using the Mythbusters video segments and the student peer review sheet.
• Ask your child what they are studying in class. Search the topic and browse the resources to build on their class experience.