Summary

This experiment surround this Mosquito Tone (17-20 kHz) and the ability of people of various ages to hear it. Students will hypothesize on the results of their experiment before using tone iOS/Andriod based tone generators to play the Mosquito Tone for their chosen subjects in a variety of conditions. They will then record their results on two digital data collection tools and analyze the results against their hypothesis.     

Note

Many school districts that implement 1 to 1 or BYOD environments are realizing that if school is cancelled for some reason learning can continue at home. This lesson is designed around the premise of a ‘Snow Day’ but could be used for any cancellation.

The activities here can be completed using entirely iOS/Android apps and is intended for mobile learning although it could be supported by a desktop of laptop computer.

Learning Objective

Students will use mobile learning tools to discover rarely heard sounds. They will then use other mobile tools to collect and analyze data through the scientific process and learn about their sonic environment, aural acuity, and the hearing of those around them. After the experiment students will develop their listening capability through further use of mobile tools.

Relative Advantage

This assignment utilizes mobile technology in order to allow students to learn outside of the classroom and independent of the teacher.

The Uncovered Sound iOS App helps students discover sounds like the Mosquito Tone that are rarely heard but are a part of our world.

Students use portable Tone Generators to produce the required Mosquito Tone and record their findings on a Google Form (Snow Day Mosquito Collection Data Tools 1 and 2).

Students will use a Decibel Meter to gauge the noise level of their testing environment.

Students can use a second phone or tablet device to experiment with the ‘Super Ears’ capability of the Petralex Hearing Aid.  

The use of Google Apps (Drive, Forms, Docs, Sheets) facilitates the experiment.

While not technically an App specific to Music or Science it must be noted that the Snow Day Mosquito Worksheet automatically aggregates and displays the data collected by Snow Day Mosquito Collection Data Tools 1 and 2.

This function makes it very much like an App since students do not have to enter data into the experiment beyond the data collection tools and an individualized graph is generated based on the data they supply which spares them from having to enter or manipulate data within the spreadsheet which is something students do not like doing.

After students have learned more about their hearing and the hearing of those around them they are invited to improve their aural acuity through playing the games found in Hearcoach.

Timeline

This asset should take no more than 30-40 minutes to complete by students.

Learning Activities

On a given Snow Day students will be emailed with a link to the ‘Snow Day Mosquito Folder’ and instructed to copy it into their own Google Drive Folder.

Opening:

Once copied, the email then instructs students to get their iOS devices (if not already being used) and launch the Snow Day Mosquito Worksheet.

Students begin the worksheet with an introduction to the lesson before being prompted to download and explore the Sound Uncovered iOS app.

Lesson Body:

After exploring the Sound Uncovered iOS app students are directed to download a Tone Generator (HERE or HERE) and the Decibel Meter (HERE or HERE) to prepare for the scientific process they will go through as outlined in the Snow Day Mosquito Worksheet. They may also choose to complete the Super Ears portion of the assignment by downloading the Petralex Hearing Aid.

Before the sound experiment can begin students need to have Data Collection tools open on their iOS/Android devices. These can be accessed via mobile browsers such as iOS Chrome.

Students then conduct both phases of the experiment and enter in the data into their forms which is automatically aggregated and analyzed by the attached spreadsheet that students NEVER NEED TO OPEN.

The Snow Day Mosquito Worksheet will automatically generate the graphs needed to complete the questions asked.

Closing:

After the experiment is completed students are invited to react to the findings of their experiment by improving their aural acuity through the Hearcoach iOS app.

Assessment

While a point total could be assigned to this activity it is intended to be formative in nature. It is encouraged that a pass/fail mark be given with a pass indicating that the activity was completed and completed correctly or a fail mark for students who either do not complete the activity or do not complete it correctly. The instructor simply needs to check to see if the Snow Day Mosquito Worksheet has been filled out and placed in the Mosquito Snow Day folder of the student’s personal Google Drive Folder.

Special Needs Adaptations

This Asset is accessible to students with special needs as long as they are able to follow the directions and do not suffer aual impairment. It might also be possible to accommodate special needs students by allowing them to participate using the Data Collection 2 Tool only.  

ESL/ELA students should be able to participate fully in this assignment. Although reading is necessary in order to follow the directions online translation software should provide enough accessibility for the required work.