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Objectives |
The learners will be able to create an online lesson that:
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ACT Now! Goals |
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Internet Review |
The World Wide Web has an overwhelming amount of information and is expanding daily. Keep in mind that anyone can post information to the Web with little or no censorship or editorial scrutiny. The Sweetwater District has web filters in place that eliminates many of the potential dangers to students. Keep in mind the potential problems and how to avoid them:
The 3 major issues are:
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Internet Search Review |
Searching techniques were covered in ACT Three. Here's a quick review of the types of Search Engines and how they access information:
Search Engines:
Multi Search Engine:
Subject Directories:
For a more complete review of "Searching," go to the following websites:
(these resources created by Dr. Bernie Dodge, SDSU)
Remember to Bookmark sites that you may want to return to later. See ACTthree for a review of Bookmarking.
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ACT Online |
Review ACT Onlines
http://actnow.suhsd.k12.ca.us:591/actonline/library.html
Preparing to Create an ACT Online
You will need:
ACT Online Handout
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Create an ACT Online |
...all the necessary information
You may be wondering exactly what you need to get started.
First, a word about the structure of ACT Online to help you get oriented. This system is designed to make it incredibly easy for you to put a lesson plan online. You'll use two web sites as informational resources, and you'll create an activity that uses information from both of the sites. For each site, you'll provide students with a bit of introductory information, and you'll be able to ask up to three questions designed to really get students involved in the information.
...so before you start, what you need to do is:
Find the URL's (web addresses) for two web sites that address your learning objectives.
Invent an activity that uses information from both web sites, and that engages students in higher-level thinking.
Many people start right out looking for sites on the web. To really make your ACT Online lesson useful, however, you might want to begin by reviewing the content standards for your subject area.
After you've chosen a topic for an online lesson, go to your favorite search engine (Alta Vista, Dogpile, Yahoo, Ask Jeeves, etc.) and begin looking for sites that could provide related information. As you find sites that may work, bookmark them and continue your search. Keep reminding yourself that you're looking for that magical pair of sites that will spark the idea for a great lesson plan.
Be sure that the sites you choose use the web effectively. In other words, if you have access to a book that contains the same information, you should consider a different site. Look for:
Timeliness:
One of the most important reasons to use the web is for it's up-to-date information. It can take years for new information to make its way into our textbooks, but the web can bring you today's news, weather, scientific discoveries, cultural events and myriad other facts and data that being generated right now.
Access:
The web can connect you with primary sources that would otherwise be unavailable to you. Through e-mail, and specialized web sites, you and your students can contact the same people and resources that are accessed by businesses and movers and shakers throughout the world.
Multimedia content:
Sound and animation can be extremely engaging learning tools. The web is gradually providing more and more multimedia content that you can use in your classroom. When properly done, these resources can provide an unequaled learning resource.
You may get lucky. You may happen upon two sites that work together perfectly right away. Most of the time, however, you'll bookmark somewhere between five and ten sites before you find a great combination of two. You'll know you have the right combination of sites when you suddenly realize that the site you're looking at could be paired with one of your bookmarked sites in a way that will engage students in a self-directed exploration of information required by your content standards. You will see the whole thing all at once, and you will know that it is right. Many teachers experience physical sensations when this occurs: tingling in the spine, sweating palms, a mild euphoria, and/or increased heart rate...
...you will know...
Once you have your two sites and your activity, you're ready to create your ACT Online. Creation of the unit can take less than a half-hour if you've got your two sites and your activity figured out.
A final thought: be sure to write your ACT Online lesson to the students who will be using it. Do not refer to students in the third person (Students will..., the student will..., etc.) Instead, write directly to your audience.
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Online Discussion Activity |
How do you think your ACT Online will impact your students?
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Evaluation |
Please complete the online evaluation.