One gap that I found between the curriculum goal(s), teaching stratagies, and technologies being used was the idea of the idea of going on a field trip, utilizing a camera to take pictures of spiders. IF this is supposed to be a lesson plan for an English class, I feel that it is not necessary. I feel it was being done just because. The computer would have already been used to find research and history and information, and pictures on the spiders. Also, the entire book is based on spiders, so what would be the purpose of having a field trip for spiders? There is none!
I feel that the technology utilized is essential to achieving the curriculum goals because not only does it teach the students new ways to do research, and give children new ways to complete assignments and to do research, but it also make learning appealing to them. It makes them want to learn What better way to achieve our goal than it is to help children want to learn? There is none!
To what extent is this particular technology essential to achieving the curriculum goal(s)?
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Am4bd1tcQ-F4dDcwakY0TkNJeVpxRmYzbC1SSDlKUHc#gid=0
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ccc?key=0Am4bd1tcQ-F4dDcwakY0TkNJeVpxRmYzbC1SSDlKUHc#gid=0
Hi Lorraine,
ReplyDeleteI think your chosen lesson plan is very effective for all of the reasons that you mentioned in your blog post. I agree that it could be utilized to teach a variety of grade levels, as well as a variety of subjects. Interdisciplinary teaching is vital because it encourages students to draw connections among subjects and apply what they have learned to new situations, furthering their understanding of the various material in different subjects.
I have to disagree with you, however, on the "flaw" that you say you found in the lesson plan. I believe that the field trip is a vital component of this lesson. Observing and studying spiders in their natural habitat is a great way to give students a real world context for their learning, as well as a way to increase their interest in the subject matter. I can see why you questioned the relevance of the trip to an English class, however, so maybe the field trip component could be revised slightly to cater more directly to an English class. For example, the students could be required to write a short essay on what they observed during the trip.
Hi Lorraine,
ReplyDeleteI quite understand the reason behind your choice of this lesson plan . It is true that it could be used for various grades.But the idea that the trip is unnecessary drives my attention. A field trip is not only for science , it is a kind of real experience to learners. When we consider different types of learners, some might be more productive by seeing things and consequently have more real idea. Associating real life experiences with any lesson will always be more helpful to students.