Online Projects, Collaboration Sites, and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Template

Name: Ashley Patton

Grade Level: 3rd Grade
Content Area: Science
Standards Addressed:
S3CS5. Students will communicate scientific ideas and activities clearly.
Title of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: CNN iReport
URL of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity:
http://www.cnn.com/specials/opinions/cnnireport
Describe how you would use the Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom:
I would use this publishing site as a end-of-year culminating project. Students would be instructed
to choose any scientific topic we covered during the school year, narrow their topic so they have one,
specific topic, and research that topic further as if they were preparing to teach a classmate about the
topic. I would give students a week to research their topics on closed search engines, such as Galileo.
After the students are done researching I will review with them how to use Movie Maker and they will
use the research they collected to make a movie about their topic. After they create a documentary they
will upload their final products to CNN iReport for other to watch and potentially use.
What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
Closed search engines (Galileo)
Movie Maker
Laptops/desktops for each student
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may
not be addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level.):
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond
their school: They will not only collaborate with near-peers in order to fine tune their
documentaries, but they will also collaborate with users on CNN iReport from across
the nation and globe once they post their final documentaries.
b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (collecting original data and or
producing original products as a result of engaging in the project): Students get to
choose their own scientific topic to research. They also get to determine the best way to
communicate their information so they could choose to put pictures to an audio
recording of themselves or they could make a music video telling viewers about their
topic, for example.
c. Higher-order thinking: They will have to create their product and evaluate others work.
They will also have to think about, given their particular topic, which type of movie
would be most effective for communicating their research and findings.
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product:
After posting their final products to CNN iReport they will be available for other
students and teachers to view.

Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):

See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating

1
What Level of Technology Implementation best describes this learning activity and Why?
LoTi level 5 is accomplished in this lesson because students are given voice and choice, they are
collaborating with peers, and their original work is going beyond the walls of the classroom.
How could you implement this proposed learning experience and still comply with your districts
Internet Safety and Student Privacy policies?
I would ensure that student names, photographs, and voices are not used. I would also monitor all
communication between my students and others. I would also ensure that other could not comment on
a students video without my consent.