Technology Across the Disciplines & Other Lil’ Goodies A Collaborative unit using technology Grade & Content specific (I tried…)

Connectedness… Starts with an idea, essential question, phenomena, project-based, theme, etc. Teacher collaboration for standards-based planning (lessons/activities/tasks) Integration of Technology and 21st Century Skills (Critical Thinking & Problem Solving, Communication, Collaboration, Creativity and Innovation) Learning outcome

The Plan in Action: Idea: Cultural Awareness – Lunar New Year Grade-Level Content Standards, lessons, activities, etc. (6-8th) Technology and 4C’s – Digital Publishing & Google Earth Outcome: Online magazine (articles, advertisements, pictures, videos, links)

Music: history, instruments, origins, etc. 6th Grade: ELA: Create a presentation (video, audio with PPT, comic book, etc.) of the project. Math: To calculate the cost of the trip. (Distance, cost of gas, miles/gallon) Science: Environmental issues (pollution/smog); exploiting African resources History: Places in the US that you can learn about: Chinese Dynasties, Confucianism/Taoism/etc. using Google Maps/Earth Physical education: Tai-chi, martial arts, Music: history, instruments, origins, etc. http://www.folkways.si.edu/lesson- plans/smithsonian#Asia https://artsedge.kennedy- center.org/educators/lessons/grade-3- 4/Chinese_Instruments

7th Grade: ELA: Create a presentation (video, audio with PPT, comic book, etc.) of the project. Math: Task: To find the cost of renting a car (write an equation and solve) and determine total cost after tax (and discount). Calculate the cost of the trip. Science: Genetics (animal Cloning/China’s population) History: Places in the US that you can learn about: Chinese Inventions using Google Maps/Earth

8th Grade: ELA: Create a presentation (video, audio with PPT, comic book, etc.) of the project. Math: To compare the cost of renting a car from two different companies (system of equations, solve, graph, slope) and determine total cost after tax (and discount). Calculate the cost of the trip. Science: Gunpowder/firecracker (chemistry) History: Places in the US that you can learn about: Railroads, Great Wall of China using Google Maps/Earth

Digital Storytelling with joomag.com An Online multimedia magazine “Digital storytelling empowers students to be confident communicators and creators of media as they gain essential 21st-century literacy skills and reach deeper understanding in all areas of the curriculum.”

Benefits Research: Students do extensive research on the topics they have chosen Resource Selection: The most appropriate images, video clips, and other media, to convey targeted ideas are chosen, as well as the best media for the presentation (digital magazine, movie trailer) Script Writing: Writing skills (a critical part of the learning process) are improved. Voice-Overs: Narration of the script adds authenticity to the videos and improves public speaking skills Technical Skill Development: During the many hours spent editing videos, students have to decide when to zoom, which image is best, when to add voice-overs, etc. Learning these technical skills enables students to create progressively more interesting and engaging videos.

Collaboration: By working in groups, students are active in the learning process and practice social skills. (Other advantages of cooperative learning include easy management of content, visible tracking of students' activity and flexibility of organizing new ideas). Presentation: Students deliver their presentation to a real audience. (The best presentations are preserved in an e-portfolio that I publish on my blog and I use them again the following year for the introduction of new lessons or as part of a multimedia textbook. My students create the videos and lessons that I will use in my future classes. They learn not only from their own digital storytelling productions, but also from those of former and current peers. Creativity Expression: The creative use of technology is perhaps the most interesting aspect of digital storytelling. https://elearningindustry.com/digital-storytelling-an-efficient-and-engaging-learning-activity

Google Maps & Google Earth Experience the journey Calculate distances Virtual tours

Google Earth Across the Discipline English: Google Lit Trip Math: Measuring distances, angles, depths, & elevations (switch to Google Sky mode to calculate distance between stars), etc. (http://www.realworldmath.org/ ) Science: Astronomy and space exploration, analyze earthquake data, climate data layers, endangered species habitats, etc. Social Studies: expedition/tours, military plans, compare and contrast the view of past and present, virtual fieldtrips, museums, monuments, etc. Physical Education: virtual climb of Mount Everest Music: Birthplace of famous musicians, origin of music/instruments, etc.

Other Lil’ Goodies Miscellaneous: http://ed.ted.com/lessons MATH: http://www.mathwire.com/problemsolving/probs.html#gr78 SCIENCE: http://www.educatorstechnology.com/2014/02/the-25-must-have- resources-for-science.html https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TnJdVFoZxZc ENGLISH: http://www.googlelittrips.org/litTripLibrary/grades6-8.php History: http://hsionline.org/ http://teachinghistory.org/ Music: http://www.philtulga.com/resources.html