Electrical Circuits

Electrical circuits can be a difficult unit of study to explore at times. Using a tool can help students gain a better understanding of the subject material. One tool in particular that would be useful is a website called the Blobz Guide to Electrical Circuits. Using this tool would help you explore the objective for the unit, which is to connect an electrical component to a battery so that the current flows through it.

The Blobz Guide to Electrical Circuits website allows students to explore five different sections within the Electrical Circuit Subject. The five sections are: what makes circuits work, conductors and insulators, all about switches, changing circuits, and circuit diagrams. At the end of each section, the students may click on the activity button, and it allows them to practice what they’ve learned in the section. Finally, when the students feel very confident about the material, they may take the quiz that is tied to each section. If the students get all of the answers correct in the quiz, a star will light up at the top of the screen.

This is an excellent, interactive activity that allows the students to take charge of their learning. It covers all aspects of the objective and even goes a little farther by explaining different kinds of conductors, insulators, different circuits, and the circuit diagrams that accompany each piece of a circuit. It is organized and set up in a proper fashion that allows the students to use the website without a lot of difficulty. The stars at the top of the screen would help a teacher be able to keep track of the students and make sure they are moving on and completing each section.

In a classroom, the teacher could use this tool as a reinforcement and self-assessment for the students. In order to use it, the students would either need access to a large amount of computers, or they could use the group investigation strategy and group around a smaller amount of computers. The cost of this tool is low in some ways, and high in others. It costs the school a lot to be able to furnish the computers; however, they are the only materials needed to effectively use Blobz Guide to Electrical Circuits website.

I feel like the best way for students to learn is through investigative approaches and this website allows it to happen. The teacher would need to be aware that the classroom will probably be a little more informal and centered on group or individual investigation, rather than direct instruction. This tool may be used for a variety of different grade levels; however the teacher will need to be a little more structured in what he/she wants the students to do if they are younger. I would describe this tool as an effective way to teach upper elementary students.

Blobz Guide to Electrical Circuits is very inviting, and would help students become actively engaged and excited about learning. It would effectively teach students with all sorts of different learning styles because of the many illustrations that are used, the written explanation within each section, and the interactive activities that the students are able to participate in. It would allow student to be an active part in the learning process and keep them motivated. Finally, I feel like this tool is very simple and precise in the way it presents the material. I’m not exactly sure what misconceptions students may have; (the may not understand that the electricity must be moving in a continuous loop) however, I think it would be able to correct any of them. For more information, this tool is found at:

The Blobz Guide to Electrical Circuits