Improving Lesson Plans

     In one of my courses at Auburn, we are looking into the technology aspects of a lesson plan to improve and build upon. The lesson plan I chose is based on a virtual classroom environment when the teacher introduces Google earth and students learn to operate this website, find certain places, and must be able to use several tools in the program. Social studies is my favorite subject, so I was pleased to find this lesson idea about a virtual classroom using technology.

Where you can read the lesson plan I am discussing: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Q9YNTTs3-j75odGnLYGXCryt1XCjYt0gfq0h_ccjTqI/edit 

 
    However, to improve upon this lesson plan, I am going to discuss what uses of technology are implemented in the before, during, and after stages.

Before: Several higher level thinking questions can be included in the lesson plan while it is being implemented. It has the state standards written out for anyone looking to use this lesson plan or adapt it for another grade level. Depending on class size and technology available, the teacher needs to have computers for each student, know what group sizes to split kids into, or have enough tablets/iPads for his or her class to complete this lesson.

During: The steps to carry out the lesson plan appear more as guidelines than procedures. There is not a numbered list where a teacher could easily replicate this lesson. The steps of this lesson plan should be more explicit, state what the teacher should be doing at all times, and what students will be doing. It appears there is a general walkthrough, teacher and student, of Google Earth and then students are sent to work with their groups to master the program. Working in groups is great, but guidelines should be set so the time is well managed, productive, and all group members are engaged in learning about the geography and technology aspects.

After: A more extensive rubric should be used to evaluate the students' comfortability of using Google Earth. There should be a pre and post assessment of their use in Google Earth to prove an increased skill in operating the website. There are next steps to take with this lesson providing a higher scaffold with the program which is great for high achieving students. The scavenger hunt details should be included more into the lesson rather than a list. Perhaps finding a specific part of the Atlantic ocean or its length from North America to Europe would be a better use of time after the initial lesson.

I love the lesson idea, but believe more details and connects to amplify this lesson's technology and geography impact on the students.

Always improving,
Ms. Childs