mm_lesson+plan

=My Autobiography (Web 2.0 Style)=

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**Introduction:** Every student in eighth grade need to complete an autobiography. However, the way or method in which students create their autobiographies hardly changes. Many students have used a word processing documents for years to tell their stories. Over the last two years, I noticed students used PowerPoint for creating their autobiographies. With technology changing so rapidly, students have to realize that there are many tools/resources out there that they can use to be more creative. =====

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 1. **Aim**: The purpose of this lesson is to allow students to use web 2.0 applications to create their autobiographies. Eighth grade students at Fulton School is the main audience for this lesson. =====

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 2. **Rationale**: Over the past 8 years, I noticed that teachers are not integrating technology into the curriculum effectively. When teachers do integrate technology is usually at the basic level. In order to shorten the digital divide, it is extremely important to expose our students to use web 2.0 applications in the classroom. Preparing our eighth graders for high school and the future is our main purpose. Therefore, if we are not allowing them to use web 2.0 applications to enhance learning, we are short-changing them. =====

 3. **Goals and objectives**: At the end of this lesson, students are expected to learn the following:

 * =====Integrate a variety of file types to create and illustrate a document or presentation.(NETS-S)=====
 * =====Select and use the appropriate tools and digital resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and to solve problems (NETS-S).=====
 * =====Learn how to use ourstory.com to create an interactive timeline about the important events in their lives=====
 * =====Learn how to use myebook.com to create an interactive book from their timelines=====
 * =====Learn how to communicate and collaborate with classmates via the web=====

NETS-S

 * =====1a: apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.=====
 * =====2a: interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of digital environments and media.=====
 * =====2b: communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety of media and formats.=====
 * =====5b: exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration, learning, and productivity.=====
 * =====6b: select and use applications effectively and productively=====
 * =====6d: transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.=====

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4. **Audience** and **pre-requisites**: This lesson is design for eighth grade students at Fulton School. In order for students to successfully complete their autobiographies using timetoast and myebook, students need to have the following skills: =====
 * =====Basic understanding of navigating the web=====
 * =====Understanding of using a scanner to scan their pictures=====

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5. Description of **subject-matter**: Doing an autobiography is cross curricular. The main subjects that this lesson covers include the following: =====
 * =====History=====
 * =====Social Studies=====
 * =====Computer Technology (how to use a scanner and web 2.0 applications)=====

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Teacher will create a blog for the classroom that will allow students to share ideas and comment on different topics throughout the lesson. Teacher can create a blog account from www.blogger.com. Teacher will post the following: what is an autobiography? This will provide an opportunity for students and classroom teacher to share their knowledge of an autobiography. **For homework**, students are expected to asked parents/guardians about their lives when they were younger. This would provide students with the events they need to add to their timeline. Also, students are expected to bring in pictures (past and current) that they will use for this project. =====

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Teacher will show students how to use a scanner (how to scan pictures and how to save them to folder on usb drive). Those students who have used scanners before will assist others who might have difficulities. After the mini-lesson on using a scanner, teacher will allow students to scan their pictures and save them to their folders. Teacher will post the following to the blog and provide time for students to post comments on the blog: Have you used a scanner before today and how comfortable are you now with using one? =====

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Teacher will explain that OurStory allow users to create interactive timelines that can be shared online. Teacher will do a mini-lesson on using OurStory (how to setup and update a timeline on ourstory.com, how to add events, how to publish or make timeline public, and how to add comments to timelines). After the mini-lesson, students will create their timelines from when they were born to where they want to be in ten years. Students will post reflections on today's activities on the classroom's blog. Also, students will randomly comment on someone else's timeline (positive comments only). =====

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Teacher will do a mini-lesson on Myebook. Teacher will demonstrate to students how to do the following: upload and manage files, create and manage online communities, and view, manage and create ebooks. After the mini-lesson teacher will allow students to create their autobiographies using Myebook.=====

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Teacher will provide ample time for students to create their autobiographies. Students will continue to work on their projects. Students will publish their autobiographies and present to class. =====

7. **Materials**: To successfully complete this project, the following materials are needed:

 * =====Mobile lab (laptops on wheels) with Internet connection for students to work on project, or computer lab.=====
 * =====At least 5 scanners=====
 * =====www.ourstory.com - to create their interactive timelines ([|sample timeline])=====
 * =====www.myebook.com - to create their autobiographies[| (sample ebook)]=====
 * =====Pictures (past & present of students)=====
 * =====www.blogger.com - for classroom blog=====
 * =====Tables so students can work closely with others=====

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8. Plans for **assessment** and **evaluation**: Students will be assessed throughout this lesson. Students will be assessed in the following ways: =====
 * =====<span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Students participation (blog discussions, comments made on timelines, and class discussions) is essential for this project. One of the main goal is for students to be actively engage in this project. =====
 * =====<span style="font-family: Verdana,Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> Students brought in at least 10 pictures to use in their autobiographies=====
 * =====Students' presentation of timelines and autobiographies=====
 * =====Timelines should have at least 15 events in students' lives=====
 * =====Ebook of students autobiographies should include text, images, animation, sounds, and videos.=====
 * =====Students post lesson feedback on classroom's blog focusing on the following: what worked, what needs improvement, and what did not work at all.=====

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