I am still having the same dilemma that I wrote about before. Since I do not have a classroom, I am trying to coordinate this project with a classroom teacher. I have found a current issues teacher that is very interested in working with me. When I spoke with him about what this project will focus on, he also like the idea of creating very authentic lessons that utilize technology. This seems to be the key components of moving up on the LoTi scale.
A current events class seems to be a great place to start when it comes to developing authentic lesson plans. There seems to be so many ways to get students involved in the world around us right now. My problem is going to be focusing in on one area. When I spoke with the teacher that I will be working with, he still is not sure what they will be studying around the late October, early November time frame. This is making it harder to start thinking of ways to integrate technology without first knowing what topic we will be focusing on. This is especially true since within the IDD program we focus on backward design and developing learning goals before designing the activity. It is also hard to think about ways to use technology since it is not suppose to be the focus but rather the enhancement.
Despite my issues with topic focus, I have started trying to brainstorm technology use that could enhance many different areas. Below are a few ideas that I think could apply to many different topics. As we narrow down our topic, I know that I will have to select a few from the list below and cannot use everything.
1) I think that it would be great to use Google Earth with a current issues class. This tool would help students to understand where these issues are taking place and how they relate to each other.
2) I would love to get this class in communication with another class somewhere else in the world. I think that it would be enlightening to see another culture's viewpoint of the issues that we will be discussing.
3) Depending on what topic we select, it would be wonderful to connect with an outside expert.
4) I saw a great lesson plan where students listen to news podcasts on a topic of their choice and then they create graphic organizer that explains the topic. They then share their graphic organizer with the class.
Hopefully this will become clearer as we narrow down the topic that the lesson will focus on.
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It is tough trying to find a topic given our timeframe, much less without being in contol of what is going to be taught. I think you have some great ideas and really have a good concept of how to design the instruction. I like your ideas. Google earth seems like one of the coolest tools around, and it could give them a real great concept of the physical context of current issues. Either using a live subject matter expert
or using a podcast could also be a great asset as well. I know the LoTi framework focuses on having student centered learning, so maybe you could allow them to choose a topic during the given week and explore the issue and present it. This might be very vague, but it would definitely be student centered. Just some ideas, hope maybe something helps.
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