OpenCourser brand icon
Sign in
We may earn an affiliate commission when you visit our partners.
Course image
Course image
Coursera logo

Number Sense for Primary Education with PhET Simulations

Rebecca Vieyra and Catherine Carter

PhET Interactive Simulations (https://phet.colorado.edu/), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers.

Read more

PhET Interactive Simulations (https://phet.colorado.edu/), a project of the University of Colorado Boulder, provides fun, free, interactive, research-based science and mathematics simulations for use across, primary, secondary, and higher education levels. We extensively test and evaluate each simulation to ensure educational effectiveness. All simulations are open source and free to all students and teachers.

In this course, you will (a) acquire teaching and facilitation strategies for how to use PhET simulations in a K-2 classroom, (b) explore how PhET simulations can support multilingual students, and (c) engage with lessons supporting students’ learning of counting, number sense, and place value.

To finish this course, you need to complete one assignment with peer review: complete one early math teacher guide (using a template) to plan a lesson on numeracy using one of the three PhET simulations introduced in this course.

Enroll now

What's inside

Syllabus

In this module, you will learn about PhET’s teaching philosophy and how this philosophy is supported with meaningful sim-based lessons.
Make a Ten
Read more
Building Number Sense
In this module, you will activate your prior knowledge of what it means to have number sense, and brainstorm ways to support all students.
Exploring Math Identity
It is common for many students–and their teachers–to approach math with some trepidation. This module aims to help you unpack how you and your students might approach math, and what you can do to shift from math anxiety toward mathematical curiosity and joy.
Teaching Early Math to Diverse Student Populations
In this module, you will learn the importance of providing a strong foundation of number sense for early mathematics learners, specifically to diverse populations.
Number Play
In this module, you will learn how to effectively facilitate a lesson using the Number Play simulation.
PhET's Instructional Approach
In this module, we now return to sample lessons, with which you will learn how to effectively facilitate a lesson utilizing another simulation called Make a Ten.
Creating Your Own Sim-Based Lessons
In this module, you will learn how to build effective sim-based lessons in different contexts.
Number Compare
In this module, you will learn how to leverage the functionality of Number Compare to support students’ learning of how to compare numbers in multiple ways.
The PhET Website
In this module, you will learn about resources available on the PhET website that can support you as you plan to use simulations with your students.
Pulling It All Together
This module is a summary and wrap-up of the simulations and resources with which you have engaged in this course. As you think about your experience with the simulations and accompanying lessons, reflect on ways the sims and lessons support student confidence, agency, ownership, growth mindset, and positive mathematical identity in all learners.
Conclusion and Next Steps
In this module, you will take appropriate steps to complete the course and download your certificate.

Good to know

Know what's good
, what to watch for
, and possible dealbreakers
Suitable for educators teaching students from kindergarten to grade 2
Emphasizes providing a solid understanding of number sense for diverse student populations
Offers free, interactive, and research-based simulations for enhancing math lessons
Provides guidance on creating effective sim-based lessons for different classroom settings
Supports multilingual students by exploring how PhET simulations can benefit them
Requires completion of an assignment with peer review, ensuring active participation and knowledge retention

Save this course

Save Number Sense for Primary Education with PhET Simulations to your list so you can find it easily later:
Save

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Number Sense for Primary Education with PhET Simulations with these activities:
Refresh knowledge of early mathematics
Build a stronger foundation by reviewing the basics of early mathematics concepts like counting, number sense, and place value.
Show steps
  • Review counting principles and strategies
  • Explore different representations of numbers (e.g., number lines, ten frames)
  • Practice comparing and ordering numbers
Explore PhET simulations for early math
Gain familiarity with the PhET simulations used in the course and learn how to use them effectively in your teaching.
Browse courses on PhET Simulations
Show steps
  • Visit the PhET website and browse the simulations available for early math
  • Select a simulation and explore its features and functionalities
  • Watch video tutorials or read documentation to learn best practices for using the simulation
Attend a PhET workshop
Attend a PhET workshop to learn more about the simulations and how to use them effectively in your teaching.
Show steps
  • Find a PhET workshop in your area.
  • Register for the workshop.
  • Attend the workshop.
  • Implement what you learned in your classroom.
Three other activities
Expand to see all activities and additional details
Show all six activities
Collaborate with peers on lesson planning
Enhance your teaching skills by collaborating with peers to plan and develop effective lessons using PhET simulations.
Show steps
  • Connect with peers in the course or online forums
  • Form a study group and select a PhET simulation to focus on
  • Brainstorm ideas for incorporating the simulation into a lesson plan
  • Share and discuss lesson plans with the group for feedback and improvement
Design and implement a PhET-based lesson
Apply your knowledge and skills by creating a comprehensive lesson plan that incorporates PhET simulations to enhance student learning.
Browse courses on Lesson Planning
Show steps
  • Identify specific learning objectives for the lesson
  • Select and prepare the PhET simulation to be used in the lesson
  • Develop engaging activities and discussion prompts to guide students' exploration of the simulation
  • Plan for assessment and reflection to evaluate student learning
Support other educators in using PhET simulations
Contribute to the community by sharing your expertise and supporting other educators in their efforts to use PhET simulations effectively.
Browse courses on Mentoring
Show steps
  • Identify opportunities to share your knowledge and experience with other educators
  • Create resources or materials to support other educators in implementing PhET simulations
  • Participate in online forums or workshops to provide guidance and support to other educators

Career center

Learners who complete Number Sense for Primary Education with PhET Simulations will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Reading list

We haven't picked any books for this reading list yet.

Share

Help others find this course page by sharing it with your friends and followers:
Facebook
LinkedIn
Reddit
X
Link
Email

Similar courses

Here are nine courses similar to Number Sense for Primary Education with PhET Simulations.
Introduction to PhET Simulations for STEM Education
Most relevant
Whole Class with PhET for STEM Education
Most relevant
Activity Design with PhET Simulations for STEM Education
Most relevant
Implementation of PhET Activities for STEM Education
Most relevant
Introducción a las Simulaciones PhET para la Educación...
Most relevant
Diseño de Actividades con PhET para la Educación STEM
Most relevant
Implementación de Actividades PhET para la Educación STEM
Description Design for Interactive Learning Resources
Clase Entera con PhET para la Educación STEM
Course image
Effort
2 weeks, 7.5 hours/week
Level
Introductory
Via
Coursera
Institution
University of Colorado Boulder
Instructors
Rebecca Vieyra
Catherine Carter
Session
August 19, 2024 - November 11, 2024
Language
English
Good to know
Suitable for educators teaching students from kindergarten to grade 2
Emphasizes providing a solid understanding of number sense for diverse student populations
Offers free, interactive, and research-based simulations for enhancing math lessons
Provides guidance on creating effective sim-based lessons for different classroom settings
Supports multilingual students by exploring how PhET simulations can benefit them
Requires completion of an assignment with peer review, ensuring active participation and knowledge retention
Share and help others discover this course
Facebook LinkedIn X Reddit Link Email
Our mission

OpenCourser helps millions of learners each year. People visit us to learn workspace skills, ace their exams, and nurture their curiosity.

Our extensive catalog contains over 50,000 courses and twice as many books. Browse by search, by topic, or even by career interests. We'll match you to the right resources quickly.

Find this site helpful? Tell a friend about us.

Affiliate disclosure

We're supported by our community of learners. When you purchase or subscribe to courses and programs or purchase books, we may earn a commission from our partners.

Your purchases help us maintain our catalog and keep our servers humming without ads.

Thank you for supporting OpenCourser.

© 2016 - 2024 OpenCourser