Title – Communicating with Technology

By – Latasha Golden

Primary Subject – Computers / Internet

Grade Level – 2

Note:

This lesson plan was created as part of an assignment for a course I am currently taking to obtain my teaching certificate. I am not a certified teacher…yet!

Content:

• This lesson introduces students to the basic uses for MS Word, PowerPoint, Inspiration and Glogster. Each of these programs has a main purpose (for example MS Word is used mainly for letters, reports and wordy documents) and students will learn which program is best suited for each task.
• Students will learn about communication and the different ways technology can help them communicate.
• For this lesson, students will need to have a basic knowledge of computers, the keyboard and the mouse.

Benchmarks:

• By the end of the lesson, students should be comfortable opening and creating new projects in each of the programs.
• They should know what each program is best used for, be able to save their work and name a file.
• According the Michigan Department of Education Technology Standards (METS), students by the end of 2nd grade should be able to use a variety of digital tools to learn, create and convey original ideas or illustrate concepts. This lesson would fall into that METS objective.

Learning Resources and Materials:

• This hands-on assignment needs to take place in a computer lab or classroom equipped with one personal computer per student.
• Each computer needs to be loaded with Microsoft Office, plus Glogster and Inspiration downloads, all which would need to be completed and confirmed ahead of time.
• Also a Smartboard or projector would be necessary for an up-front display for students to follow.

Development of Lesson:

Introduction:
• In preparation for this lesson, assign students the task of writing a letter to their classmates telling all about their immediate family and the best experience they’ve had with their families. They have the option to bring in a photo as well.
• Inform students that this technology lesson assignment will be graded on its completeness and grammar.
• Explain that written communication (writing a letter) is only one way of communicating with others. There are many other ways to display or express communication using technology.
• Ask if anyone knows of any additional ways to communicate and introduce them to a MS Word document, PowerPoint document, Inspiration concept map and Glogster page that you have completed.
• Let the class know that they will all be learning these programs on our lesson day and they will use their letters to the class as the topic of communication. The goal is to draw them in and keep their interest by allowing them to tell details of their own families and experiences. They will be allowed to tell about trips, reunions, outings, or any experiences they wish. Students usually love telling about somewhere they went or great experiences with loved ones.
• Take pictures of each student or use pictures from previous class activities and save on a flash drive.

Methods/Procedures:

• Students will be handed back their “Letter to the Class” assignments.
  
• Students will be directed on how to open MS Word and start a new page.
  
• Students will be asked to type the title of their choosing at the top of the page, press -enter- and type their name.
  
• Explain to students how to type a paper, but because they are second graders, show them an example of your work, but do not require them to completely type their letter during this lesson.
  
• Then direct students on how to save and name the document.
  
• Introduce students to PowerPoint following the same steps, except allow them to type in what their favorite time was.
  
• Explain to students, using the projector as in the above lessons, how to insert a picture, but also let them know that you will be inserting the picture for them on the page and they are to decide where on their PowerPoint page they want the picture to appear.
  
• As the students type about their favorite experiences, go around and place their picture on their presentation page using the flash drive that you put their pictures on.
  
• Again, ask students to save their work.
  
• Now introduce Inspiration, allowing students to follow along with you. Show them how to link concepts together and choose pictures to help display what it is they are wanting to communicate. Ask each student to make one link and save the page following your direction at the front of the class.
  
• Glogster is a bit more involved and this will require more time. Introduce students to Glogster, but also send a note home explaining Glogster to parents and offer them the opportunity to get to know Glogster with their children at home. Offer students an extra credit assignment to create a Glogster page due later in the semester.

Accommodations/Adaptations:

Allow students that require more time/attention to work in pairs with a more knowledgeable student to allow them to bounce ideas off of each other.

Assessment/Evaluation:

• Depending on time, either ask students questions to help gauge understanding of the different programs or give a quick quiz.
• This assignment is for the purpose of introducing students to the different programs and will require follow-up lessons to make sure there is understanding. To accomplish this, allow students to break off in groups and announce a group project which will require students to complete a project using all programs we discussed.
  • This assignment will be done in class during our technology time, but students should come together and come up with ideas about what they would like to write about, present about and build a glog about.
  • The project should help determine whether or not they have gained understanding and whether additional instruction is needed to help grasp the concept. They will present projects to the class.

Closure:

• Help students reflect on what they learned by giving them topics and asking them different ways to communicate with technology.
  • For example, if I want to tell my grandmother about my weekend which is the best way?
  • If I want to show my family pictures of my adventures what is the best way?
  • If I want to show and teach about my adventures, what is a way to do that?
• In the future, be sure that your curriculum includes the use of the technology programs discussed and also gives students ideas on how to use them.

Teacher Reflection:

• This lesson can be very fun, but some students may become frustrated along the way. A teacher must anticipate these types of reactions and plan for them accordingly.
• The benchmarks will be met if each student is willing and able to pay attention and focus on the instructions.
• The lesson may take more time than planned and may need to be broken up into sections.
• I think overall the kids were excited to use something new, but because of their typing skill, are limited to what they actually can do in the amount of time given. Getting kids to understand time limits isn’t that easy, but can be done with the explanation, in the beginning, that we are only going to focus on each program for a few minutes.
• In the future, I need to plan for those kids that are disruptive, or those that are not interested. Those that are having issues may need additional resources, so an online tutorial may be great for those children.
• I definitely learned that planning is not only important, but necessary and a lesson plan is what is needed to get the lesson on the right track.
• Doing a practice run may be helpful. During some extra time at the end of the day allowing students to navigate through tutorials or just play around in programs may help.

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Latasha Golden

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