Online+Collaboration+Lesson

Pauline Branker: **Online Collaboration Lesson Plan**

Subject: Language Arts Grade Level: Secondary Unit: The Environment Topic: The effects of Global Warming

GOALS: Content Standards: 4. Students adjust their use of spoken, written, and visual language (e.g. conventions, style, vocabulary) to communicate effectively with a variety of audiences and for different purposes. 8. Students use a variety of technological and information resources (e.g. libraries, databases, computer networks, video) to gather and synthsizee information and to create and communicate knowledge. 11. Students use spoken, written, and visual language to accomplish their own purposes (e.g. for learning, enjoyment, persuasion, and the exchange of information).

ISTE NETS.S 1. Facilitate and inspire student learning and creativity 2. Design and develop digital-age learning experiences

Learning Objectives: Students will research online and use other resources to locate information on global warming. Then they would create a class blog where they would share their insights with each other and globally on the topic.

ACTION: Materials and Resources: laptop or desktop computers with Internet, newspapers, magazines, KWLH charts.

Before the activity begins, students will complete the first, second and last columns of a KWLH chart. They will then research online, or use the library, newspapers or magazines, locating information on about global warming. Then there would be a whole class discussion about the topic with the teacher giving guided questions to generate the discussion. The teacher would then create a blog site with the students. .

Instructional Activities:

- The students will be grouped in pairs or a group of three, depending on the number of computers that are available. - The teacher begins an initial post on the topic, - Students then post their comments about global warming. - Students respond to each comment that has been posted. - Students who are having difficulty reading or manipulating the tool, will work with a peer to assist. - Students who are having difficulty expressing themselves in writing would be assisted to make an audio recording using a podcast or a web cam presentation to share their insights with their peers.

MONITOR: - The teacher will monitor the groups through observation of how they are working together in their groups, and scaffold those who need assistance with the topic or tool. Each activity will be allocated a time limit to complete each post.

EVALUATION: Formative Assessments: Students will be assessed by the number of comments that have been posted on the blog and the quality of posts, for example, whether content on global warming has been discussed, and correct use of language. A rubric and checklist will be used by both the teacher and the students which will outline the requirements for using the blog correctly and to keep students on the task. Also, before the end of the activity, students will complete the third column of the KWLH chart, and write a reflective journal using the word processor application about their experiences.

Summative Assessments: These will be a quiz on the topic, or short answer questions to be completed at the end of the activity or the unit.

Contingency Plan: If access to the computers is limited, or there is a power disruption, students will work in groups to make comments in their note books about the topic.

References: International Reading Association and National Council of Teachers of English. (1996). //Standards for the English Language Arts.// United States: Author. National Education Standards for Teachers (NETS.T) located at http://www.iste.org/Content/NavigationMenu/NETS/ForTeachers/2008Standards/NETS_T_Standards_Fomañ-pdf