internet-enriched lesson plan
Virtual Biographies
Introduction
In this lesson, 8th grade students in computer technology class will use internet-based, web 2.0 tools to create a biography of an historical figure. This activity will take place over 7 classes of 43 minutes each. Students will conduct research, take notes, evaluate information, use primary and secondary sources, and bring all that information together to create an animation or cartoon about the person's life. Students will have the choice of creating their presentation in Domo Animate, Xtranormal, or Creaza's Cartoonist. Upon completion, students will share their animation/cartoon with the class.
Objectives
NET-S Standards
Relative Advantage
By using web 2.0 tools to create a historical biography, students can present the information they find in a unique, engaging, and humorous manner. These presentations will be more interactive and enjoyable than a traditional essay or report.
Lesson Outline
Assessment
Assessment for this project will be broken down into 4 parts.
Part 1: Research and Summaries - By the end of the second day, students will need to have found four appropriate articles, essays, interviews, diary entries, or other appropriate historical resource. Additionally, they will need to have 4 summaries (3 paragraphs, 18-20 sentences each) of every resource. If they cannot complete this by the end of the second day, it will be assigned as homework. Students will receive 25 points for each essay/summary combination for a total of 100 points. Correct grammar and spelling must be used and all citations should be recorded using APA format.
Part 2: Synthesis of Research - During days 3 and 4, students must combine their 4 summaries into a coherent, cohesive, and comprehensive summary of their historical figure. If they cannot complete this by the end of class, it will be assigned as homework. This essay must be 5 paragraphs with an introduction and conclusion. Students must cite their sources and include a bibliography. Correct grammar and spelling must also be used. This essay will be worth 50 points.
Part 3: Presentation Creation - During days 5 and 6, students will need to create a 3-5 minute animation/cartoon about their historical figure. They will need to tell the story of the person's life, discuss why they are historically important, what lessons can be learned from that person, and how their life affected the flow of history. They can break their presentation into these 4 sections, or create a cohesive story that covers all 4 areas. Students will be given a complete rubric over exactly what is expected so that there is no confusion on the requirements. Their presentation will be worth 100 points.
Part 4: Presentation - During the last day, students will present! They will be assessed in two areas: listening and presenting. Their listening grade will be determined by how well they pay attention to other students, the questions they ask, and their participation in the post-presentation discussion. Their presentation grade will be determined by their introduction to their presentation and the handling of student questions after their animation/cartoon is over. Their presentation grade will be worth 50 points for a grand total of 300 points for this lesson.
Accommodations
Site Links
Introduction
In this lesson, 8th grade students in computer technology class will use internet-based, web 2.0 tools to create a biography of an historical figure. This activity will take place over 7 classes of 43 minutes each. Students will conduct research, take notes, evaluate information, use primary and secondary sources, and bring all that information together to create an animation or cartoon about the person's life. Students will have the choice of creating their presentation in Domo Animate, Xtranormal, or Creaza's Cartoonist. Upon completion, students will share their animation/cartoon with the class.
Objectives
- Students will conduct research using google scholar and EBSCO
- Students will examine primary and secondary historical sources
- Students will summarize and synthesize historical information
- Students will create an animation or cartoon using web 2.0 tools
- Students will present their project to the class
NET-S Standards
- Standard 1 - Creativity and Innovation - Students will create an original, creative, and unique presentation over an historical figure
- Standard 2 - Communication and Collaboration - Students will present their internet-based creation to their class
- Standard 3 - Research and Information Fluency - Students will conduct research using a variety of educational sources
- Standard 4 - Technology Operations and Concepts - Students will improve their ability to use specific web 2.0 tools
Relative Advantage
By using web 2.0 tools to create a historical biography, students can present the information they find in a unique, engaging, and humorous manner. These presentations will be more interactive and enjoyable than a traditional essay or report.
Lesson Outline
- Day 1 - Research Review
- Day 2 - Historical Research
- Day 3 & 4- Synthesis of Information
- Day 5 & 6 - Creation of Presentation
- Day 7 - Presentations
Assessment
Assessment for this project will be broken down into 4 parts.
Part 1: Research and Summaries - By the end of the second day, students will need to have found four appropriate articles, essays, interviews, diary entries, or other appropriate historical resource. Additionally, they will need to have 4 summaries (3 paragraphs, 18-20 sentences each) of every resource. If they cannot complete this by the end of the second day, it will be assigned as homework. Students will receive 25 points for each essay/summary combination for a total of 100 points. Correct grammar and spelling must be used and all citations should be recorded using APA format.
Part 2: Synthesis of Research - During days 3 and 4, students must combine their 4 summaries into a coherent, cohesive, and comprehensive summary of their historical figure. If they cannot complete this by the end of class, it will be assigned as homework. This essay must be 5 paragraphs with an introduction and conclusion. Students must cite their sources and include a bibliography. Correct grammar and spelling must also be used. This essay will be worth 50 points.
Part 3: Presentation Creation - During days 5 and 6, students will need to create a 3-5 minute animation/cartoon about their historical figure. They will need to tell the story of the person's life, discuss why they are historically important, what lessons can be learned from that person, and how their life affected the flow of history. They can break their presentation into these 4 sections, or create a cohesive story that covers all 4 areas. Students will be given a complete rubric over exactly what is expected so that there is no confusion on the requirements. Their presentation will be worth 100 points.
Part 4: Presentation - During the last day, students will present! They will be assessed in two areas: listening and presenting. Their listening grade will be determined by how well they pay attention to other students, the questions they ask, and their participation in the post-presentation discussion. Their presentation grade will be determined by their introduction to their presentation and the handling of student questions after their animation/cartoon is over. Their presentation grade will be worth 50 points for a grand total of 300 points for this lesson.
Accommodations
- Para support will be available for students with special needs
- A modified assignment with less research and summarizing will be available
- Alternative/Simpler research sites will be available
- Additional time will be provided for students in need
Site Links
- Google Scholar - www.scholar.google.com
- EBSCO Search - http://search.ebscohost.com/
- Domo Animate - http://domo.goanimate.com/
- Creaza Cartoonist - http://www.creazaeducation.com/cartoonist
- Xtranormal Animation - http://www.xtranormal.com/
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