Exploratorium
Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers
Exploratorium

Exploring Light: Hands-on Activities and Strategies for Teachers

Zeke Kossover
Paul Doherty, PhD
Eric Muller

Instructors: Zeke Kossover

10,255 already enrolled

Included withCoursera Plus

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(54 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
5 hours to complete
3 weeks at 1 hour a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace
Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.
4.8

(54 reviews)

Intermediate level
Some related experience required
5 hours to complete
3 weeks at 1 hour a week
Flexible schedule
Learn at your own pace

Details to know

Earn a career certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

Taught in English

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Placeholder
Placeholder

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV

Share it on social media and in your performance review

Placeholder

There are 5 modules in this course

Welcome to our course! This is a hands-on workshop designed for middle-school and high-school teachers and other people interested in teaching and learning about light. In this first week, we'll introduce you to our pedagogy at the <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/education/teacher-institute">Exploratorium Teacher Institute</a>, which is about supporting educators to incorporate the hands-on, inquiry-based experiences of our museum into classrooms. <br/><br/>We'll demonstrate exhibits and teach you how to do activities (which we call "<a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks">Science Snacks</a>") that explore and investigate natural phenomena, and you will need to gather your own materials to do experiments on your own. We hope you will share teaching tips and facilitation strategies with each other as well. <br/><br/>We recommend you look through the materials below and follow the suggested course deadlines to get the most out of this experience. We also suggest you browse the discussion forums we've set up. To help you get started and find out who's in this course, please take a moment to <a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/teach-light-color/forum/5gAzveDFEeWnSg7Jd1dn3w/discussions?sort=lastActivityAtDesc&page=1">introduce yourself in the forum.</a> Please also fill out our <a href="https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1QHNMDrg4_HpM7a2V07lxhYGOFrFbExoNz5mrGZIicWo/viewform">pre-course survey</a>, thanks!

What's included

3 videos3 readings

We don't just see with our eyes; our brain plays a big role in determining what we see. A huge percentage of the human brain is devoted to processing visual information, but we still can't make sense of everything going on around us, so we rely on certain "shortcuts" or tricks. In other words, your brain makes things up!<br/><br/>This week, we're going to explore a few interesting visual shortcuts and some of the technologies that have been invented to take advantage of them.<br/><br/>Your assignment is to watch the videos below, try some activities at home, and share your experience in the discussion forums.<ul><li>Collect data about your <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/peripheral-vision">peripheral vision</a> and compare with your classmates</li><li>Show off your afterimage designs for <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/bird-in-cage">Bird in a Cage</a></li><li>Take pictures of your experiments with <a href="http://www.exploratorium.edu/snacks/bird-in-cage">Colored Shadows</a></li></ul>We can't wait to see what you come up with!

What's included

7 videos2 readings

A historical timeline approach to studying light illustrates the importance of models to the advancement of science. Scientific models of light have changed over the years as more and better experiments were done. At the same time, an important skill as a teacher is choosing the simplest model to help a student towards understanding.This week, we'll revisit some famous experiments and different models of light to advance our own understanding.<br/><br/>We'd like you to start off by reading the introductory essay below. Then, watch the video demonstrations and try some activities on your own. This week, we'd also like you to pick an activity or two to share with someone else.<br/><br/>Don't forget to post photos, videos and comments in the discussion forum to share with your fellow students.

What's included

4 videos2 readings

This week, we're exploring optics and how to make images with light. In addition to our exhibit and activity demonstrations, you'll learn how to put activities together into a lesson that helps students develop and test a mental model of how the world works. <strong>We want you to do this lesson as a learner and then reflect and discuss with your peers in the forum. </strong><br/><br/>The lesson is designed as a series of experiments, each one giving you a piece of information that lets you make a mental model. You'll be presented with several scenarios, asked to make a prediction <strong>(it's VERY important that you stop and do this at each stage of the video),</strong> and then we'll reveal what happens. You'll have an opportunity to revise and adjust your model at each stage. <br/><br/> For those of you taking this course for credit, we recommend you begin working on your <a href="https://www.coursera.org/learn/teach-light-color/peer/GKysS/design-your-own-lesson">peer-reviewed assignment</a>. If you want some feedback before you submit your assignment, we suggest you post questions and drafts of your lesson plan in the forum.

What's included

5 videos2 readings1 discussion prompt

What is light? Sometimes we model it as a wave, sometimes as a particle. Light is light. Nevertheless, the wave properties of light lend themselves towards a rich array of experiments that help further our understanding.<br/><br/>This is the final week of content for our course. Please continue to do activities this week, but also take a few moments to share what you learned, and any suggestions you have for us.<br/><br/>If you are taking the course for a grade, please submit your final assignment and complete the required peer reviews before the deadline. <br/><br/>We hope you have enjoyed this experience and that you'll come check out our museum in San Francisco!

What's included

7 videos2 readings1 peer review

Instructors

Instructor ratings
4.8 (10 ratings)
Zeke Kossover
Exploratorium
1 Course10,255 learners
Paul Doherty, PhD
Exploratorium
1 Course10,255 learners

Offered by

Exploratorium

Recommended if you're interested in Physics and Astronomy

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.
Learner since 2018
"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."
Jennifer J.
Learner since 2020
"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."
Larry W.
Learner since 2021
"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."
Chaitanya A.
"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Learner reviews

Showing 3 of 54

4.8

54 reviews

  • 5 stars

    85.18%

  • 4 stars

    11.11%

  • 3 stars

    1.85%

  • 2 stars

    0%

  • 1 star

    1.85%

SM
5

Reviewed on Oct 10, 2020

M
5

Reviewed on May 27, 2020

LH
5

Reviewed on Jul 28, 2023

Placeholder

Open new doors with Coursera Plus

Unlimited access to 7,000+ world-class courses, hands-on projects, and job-ready certificate programs - all included in your subscription

Advance your career with an online degree

Earn a degree from world-class universities - 100% online

Join over 3,400 global companies that choose Coursera for Business

Upskill your employees to excel in the digital economy

Frequently asked questions