Creating+Innovative+Uses+of+Technology

= Project Lesson Plan – Digital Storytelling – Grade 7 = = By = = Rea A. Matthews =

Rationale for the topic and technology used in the project **1.** **A brief description of the lesson plan** Students will learn about digital storytelling. This lesson will enable students to establish team-building skills as they work together within assigned groups of 3 to utilize their creativity to tell a digital story that must be pre-approved by the instructor. This lesson will span over several weeks. Students are only seen 2 times per week. ** 2. ****The technology and resources involved (e.g. facility, network, equipment, software, online program, website’s URL) ** a. High-speed Internet connectivity b. Synchroneyes (teacher/student) classroom management tool (software - teacher loaded on teacher’s PC, and student loaded on all student PCs) c. Digital Storytelling Video Tutorials ([]) ([]) d. Digital Camera (software must be loaded on all PCs) e. Windows Photo Story 3 (software must be loaded on all PCs) f. Classroom Wiki (www.wikispaces.com) (In order to upload to the classroom wiki, students must be a member of the wiki.) g. Email account (optional) **3.** **What skills, knowledge, and pedagogy are required of teachers** Teachers must be knowledgeable with the use of computers, as well as the use of the above technologies prior to giving direction to students. If teachers are not knowledgeable of the technology used, then students will see frustrations that should not be shown to students. Spend time to learn the technology prior to instructing students. Teachers should believe in the technology that they are presenting to students to motivate students to participate and acquire the knowledge being taught. **4.** **What prior skills and knowledge are required of students** Students must have prior computer usage skills. Students will be taught on what Digital Storytelling is and how to use Windows Photo Story 3, Digital Cameras, and the Classroom Wiki. For this lesson, students will not be required to be aware of the usage of Synchroneyes. Teachers will only be utilizing this technology for monitoring purposes to ensure that students are actively participating and to monitor for those that may need additional assistance. **5.** **What are students asked to do exactly (product or process)** Students are asked to actively participate within the technology class. Students are asked to take notes and ensure that all notes taken are maintained and not discarded. Students are asked to bring their notes/notebooks to each class session. Students should ensure that they attend each class session, as not to miss any materials. If a student does miss a session, that student should see his/her buddy classmate to receive the missed materials/notes. If a student has a misunderstanding or concern about any topic or step, the student should see the instructor as soon as possible to ensure that all questions or concerns receive immediate feedback. Students may also submit questions via email or within the corresponding classroom wiki. Students are asked to ensure that all process steps are followed, so please review the process steps asked prior to submitting your team’s work. Students will be able to learn about digital storytelling, as well as how to upload digital photos to the computer. Students will learn how to properly use Windows Photo Story 3 and incorporate the photos taken (minimum 12), as well as audio narration and adding titles. Students will learn how to upload their stories into the corresponding classroom wiki under the Digital Storytelling page. ** 6. ****What are the procedures of the project (steps to teach the technology skills)** a. Teacher will walk thru the meaning of Digital Storytelling and present examples to the class i. Teacher will present Digital Storytelling tutorials to the class ii. Teacher will monitor for understanding and hold question/answer sessions, as well as ask questions of students as the materials are presented. 1. Students are to actively participate in Q&A. b. Teacher will walk thru how to take digital photos, as well as uploading photos into the proper filing systems/directories on the server and present examples to the class i. Teacher will allow students to practice this capability within their teams for hands-on experience 1. Students to actively participate in the hands-on training to properly upload photos to the computers and save in the proper filing systems/directories on the server ii. Teacher will monitor for understanding and hold question/answer sessions, as well as ask questions of students as the materials are presented. 1. Students are to actively participate in Q&A. c. Teacher will walk thru Windows Photo Story 3 with examples to the class i. Teacher will monitor for understanding and hold question/answer sessions, as well as ask questions of students as the materials are presented. 1. Students are to actively participate in Q&A d. Teacher will walk thru what a wiki is and how to use the Classroom wiki. Teacher will explain the rules of usage related to the classroom wiki and consequences of misuse or inappropriate behavior related to the usage of the wiki. Teacher will walk thru logging in, becoming a member, format of the wiki, editing, uploading content materials, and the discussion board. i. Teacher will allow students to create logins and become members. 1. Students to follow instructions in creating logins and attaining membership to the wiki. Students are to review format of the wiki and actively participate in Q&A. ii. Teacher will monitor for understanding and hold question/answer sessions, as well as ask questions of students as the materials are presented. 1. Students are to review format of the wiki and actively participate in Q&A. e. Teacher will walk thru the project explanation with students to ensure that all students understand what is expected, as well as the grading assessment for the project. i. Teacher will monitor for understanding and hold question/answer sessions, as well as ask questions of students as the materials are presented. ii. All students are expected to actively participate within their respective groups to ensure that they receive the appropriate grade. All groups will be monitored for participation. Students not actively participating will not receive full credit for the assignment. ** 7. ****What are the advantages of the project** The project will help students become more familiar with the differing technologies that are at hand and readily available at no cost. The project will help students build teamwork skills that will be needed for future endeavors. It will help students bring context to the photos taken and allow them to express feelings into the photos. The project allows students to be hands-on in their educational experience. Students may become more motivated toward utilizing technology in their curriculum. Teachers are able to monitor students actively and ensure that students are focused on the tasks at hand via the classroom management software. ** 8. ****What are the disadvantages of the project** The first disadvantage comes in the light of the short classroom period. Second, is that there are a limited number of digital cameras within the class. Third, there are several school events that may interrupt classroom time. ** 9. ****What types of effective instructional strategies are included** a. Monitoring/Feedback b. Q&A c. Hands-on experience d. Note taking e. Guided participation / Scaffolding (provided structure from the more knowledgeable person) (Vgotsky) f. Team-building ** 10. **** What are the possibilities that the innovation can be transferred to other teachers, subject content, and different school settings ** The innovation can be transferred to many different areas of curriculum, including art, ELA, Writing, and History or Science. This form of innovation can also be utilized for school events, team-building activities, banquets, etc. Instructors and students, alike, may utilize the innovation.
 * Lesson One**

Technology Club Newsletter/Blog Lesson Plan By Rea A. Matthews

Rationale for the topic and technology used in the project **1.** **A brief description of the lesson plan** This lesson is to begin to show the Technology Club members how to create a newsletter/blog. This newsletter is not only for the topic of technology, but also will report on school events, government issues related to education, hot topics, note from the principal, poetry, going green, and other important topics such as online safety. Students will learn how to work in a group effort toward achieving creativity. ** 2. ****The technology and resources involved (e.g. facility, network, equipment, software, online program, website’s URL) ** a. High-speed Internet connectivity b. Synchroneyes (teacher/student) classroom management tool (software - teacher loaded on teacher’s PC, and student loaded on all student PCs) c. Technology Club Blog (www.google.com, Blogger) d. Digital Camera (software must be loaded on PCs used by Tech Club) **3.** **What skills, knowledge, and pedagogy are required of teachers** Teachers must be knowledgeable with the use of computers, as well as the use of the above technologies prior to giving direction to students. If teachers are not knowledgeable of the technology used, then students will see frustrations that should not be shown to students. Spend time to learn the technology prior to instructing students. Teachers should believe in the technology that they are presenting to students to motivate students to participate and acquire the knowledge being taught. Teachers must do the initial setup of the blog prior to beginning the students on the project. Teachers must also setup security for publishing comments and content. **4.** **What prior skills and knowledge are required of students** Students must have prior computer usage skills. Students must have a GPA at or above 2.5. **5.** **What are students asked to do exactly (product or process)** Students are asked to actively participate within the technology class. Students are asked to take notes and ensure that all notes taken are maintained and not discarded. Students are asked to bring their notes/notebooks to each class session. Students should ensure that they attend each class session, as not to miss any materials. If a student does miss a session, that student should see his/her buddy classmate to receive the missed materials/notes. Students that are within the Technology Club are responsible for generating the school newsletter. Topics within the newsletter have been approved by Administration. Students will meet during the scheduled Technology Club timeframe. Students are assigned areas to work on as a group effort. Students have been grouped in two to three students, dependent upon the topic area. The newsletter will be in the form of an online blog. Students will actively partake in the creation of the newsletter. The instructor prior to publishing must review students’ work. **6.** **What are the procedures of the project (steps to teach the technology skills)** a. Students are to attend the weekly Technology Club meetings b. Teacher will walk-thru the expectations of the Technology Club and explain the responsibilities of the Technology Club in relation to the newsletter blog and format that the newsletter will take c. Teacher will assign groups to work on the different areas d. Teacher will walk-thru what a blog is with examples and show students how to properly create blog on Blogger i. Teacher will allow students to practice this capability within their teams for hands-on experience ii. Teacher will explain the rules of usage related to the Technology Club newsletter/blog and consequences of misuse or inappropriate behavior related to the usage of the blog. iii. Teacher will monitor for understanding and hold question/answer sessions, as well as ask questions of students as the materials are presented. 1. Students are to actively participate in Q&A a. Teacher will walk thru how to take digital photos, as well as uploading photos into the proper filing systems/directories on the server and present examples to the class i. Teacher will allow students to practice this capability within their teams for hands-on experience 1. Students to actively participate in the hands-on training to properly upload photos to the computers and save in the proper filing systems/directories on the server ii. Teacher will monitor for understanding and hold question/answer sessions, as well as ask questions of students as the materials are presented. 1. Students are to actively participate in Q&A b. Teacher will review the proper ways to cite online reference materials/works, and other published works when posting information on the site c. Teacher will clear the blog of all practice content for work to begin d. Students are to separate into their respective groups and begin working on their projects during each class session i. All students are expected to actively participate within their respective groups to ensure that they receive the appropriate grade. All groups will be monitored for participation. e. Teacher will only be utilize the Synchroneyes technology for monitoring purposes to ensure that students are actively participating and to monitor for those that may need additional assistance. ** 7. ****What are the advantages of the project** The project will help students become more familiar with the differing technologies that are at hand and readily available. The project will help students build teamwork skills that will be needed for future endeavors. It will help students with their writing/reporting techniques to distribute information to others within the school. The project allows students to be hands-on in their educational experience. It will allow students and administrators to communicate news as it relates to them. Students may become more motivated toward utilizing technology in their curriculum. Teachers are able to monitor students actively and ensure that students are focused on the tasks at hand via the classroom management software. ** 8. ****What are the disadvantages of the project** Disadvantages include the short timeframe allotted for Technology Club. Another disadvantage falls in the way of being open to the public. However, security should be placed for monitoring/approving comments on the site. **9.** **What types of effective instructional strategies are included** a. Monitoring/Feedback b. Q&A c. Hands-on experience d. Note taking e. Guided participation / Scaffolding (provided structure from the more knowledgeable person) (Vgotsky) f. Team-building ** 10. **** What are the possibilities that the innovation can be transferred to other teachers, subject content, and different school settings ** Schools, teachers, and students can create blogs for other forms of communication. Teachers and administrators can use them to stay in touch with parents, students, and peers. Students can use them, as well.
 * Lesson Two**