Lesson Plan
Discovering the World Virtually
| Subject: | Technology |
| Grade span: | K to 12 |
| Duration: | Several sessions |
Description:
In this lesson, students can have unforgettable adventures in exotic places without ever leaving school -- thanks to the Internet. They can join real-time expeditions to remote and fascinating locations, observing daily activities and reading field dispatches. Best of all, they can interact with real-world adventurers as they re-enact, or even make, history.Learning Goals:
- Engage in adventures and expeditions with working scientists and researchers around the globe
- Use technology tools to watch events unfold, analyze resources, assist in answering scientific questions or problems, and participate in other real-time activities
- Use the Internet for investigation and study
Materials:
- Computers with Internet access
- Video conferencing equipment for live interactive video events
Preparation:
Students should have basic computer and Internet navigation skills. Instructors should have basic computer and Internet navigation skills, and some familiarity with downloading files, video conferencing, and the use of Web cams in live events. Content area knowledge is also helpful.
- Select an ongoing or upcoming online expedition from a site suggested on the Resources page.
- Collaborate with the day school teacher to select an appropriate activity for student participation. Or, have students help make the selection.
- If required, register the students in the activity.
- Determine your technology needs and need for technical support or assistance.
- Review the expedition overview or guide and prepare any supporting materials needed.
- Review with your students the rules of online etiquette, called "netiquette," when interacting electronically with others. Guidelines for netiquette can be found on the Resources page.
What to Do:
Prepare students for an online expedition.- Engage students by asking them to imagine having a friend on an adventure to China, in the ocean underworld, or climbing Mt. Everest. Then ask them if they'd like to share in the expedition or scientific exploration by receiving stories, pictures, maps, and information. Even better, what if they could e-mail questions and answers to each other during the adventure?
- Continue by explaining that, thanks to the Internet, we can have unforgettable adventures in exotic places without ever leaving school. We can join real-time expeditions to far-off locations and observe daily activities and read field dispatches. Best of all, we can interact with real-world adventurers as they re-enact -- or even make -- history.
- Emphasize that this is a real-life experience occurring in real time, and as such, you have no idea what they may learn. Remark that by the end of their expedition or exploration, they will enjoy the accomplishment of turning information into knowledge they can convey to others -- in geography, history, science, math, language arts, and many other curriculum areas.
Note: The following expedition, entitled Operation: Monster Storms, is a featured expedition from The JASON Project. It has been chosen for this sample lesson. You may choose another from the suggestions listed on the Resources page or one you find elsewhere.
- Students work alongside The JASON Project researchers in locations across the country, from Tornado Alley in the Midwest, to the Gulf and southeast Atlantic coasts. As a member of the exploration team, students examine some of Earth's fiercest weather events, including hurricanes, tornadoes, and severe thunderstorms and lightning. By collecting data on the ground, using instruments in the sky, and analyzing satellite images from outer space, students become weather and climate researchers.
During this exploration, students meet real scientists from NOAA, NASA, and the National Geographic Society. Through hands-on activities and labs students:
- Explore weather systems and how they are formed
- Chase tornadoes
- Take a ride in a NOAA P-3 "Hurricane Hunter" airplane
- Study how extreme weather impacts humans and the environment
- Develop new tools and technologies to improve weather forecast methods
- Help us prepare to survive "monster storms"
- Culminating events, such as an end of project presentation, are a part of the Operation: Monster Storms curriculum. Principal investigators and students discuss and share results and provide ideas for solutions to problems.
- Plan your own reflection activity for the expedition.
Evaluate (Outcomes to look for):
- Student participation and engagement
- Understanding of relevant content areas
- Ideas and answers that reflect new learning about a problem, location, or culture
Standards:
Click this link to see additional learning goals, grade-level benchmarks, and standards covered in this lesson.
Learn More:
- Explore expedition possibilities in other content areas, for instance, world geography and culture, health, civic responsibility, reading, and language arts.
