Sample Lessons and Activities which employ the Tech-10 as effective teaching tools! 

This sample activity utilizes examples of:

• #1 "Force Multiplier"
• #2 Customized Lessons
• #3 Active Learning
• #4 Accessibility
• #6 Motivate
• #7 Content Literacy
• #8 At-Risk

This web-based activity combines and utilizes a variety of educational technology to teach students basic content about the Westward Expansion of the United States.  The activity is an example of how a teacher can use technology as a "force multiplier" and in doing so duplicate themselves and their lesson through available technology.  In this assignment, students work at their own pace and are guided through the content by a virtual teacher.  This virtual teacher however is their very own classroom teacher and not a prepackaged animation.  The technology employed allows each student to have control over his or her own personal teacher and their learning.  Students are exposed to the same historical content that would have been delivered using traditional methods in the classroom; therefore, teachers are not sacrificing time or curriculum standards.  Students can control their instruction through the use of video and place their answers on an electronic worksheet rather than a notebook.  The lesson also requires students to use several levels of cognitive skills. While some questions require only the basic skills, others will force the students to use higher level thinking skills especially when they are asked to interpret, synthesis, and hypothesize about the content.  These types of activities promote higher cognitive functionality and a more active learning style.  This type of assignment could be used across the curriculum. 

The Interactive Internet-Based Road to Civil War Timeline Activity

This sample activity utilizes examples of: #1 "Force Multiplier" #2 Customized Lessons #3 Active Learning #4 Accessibility #6 Motivate #7 Content Literacy #8 At-Risk #9 Students with Special Needs #10 Anchored Assessment “The Road to Civil War Interactive Timeline” is an engaging web-based instructional activity designed to teach students the Causes of the Civil War and to develop high level cognitive skills.  Students use historical content information placed on the Internet to complete a series of questions and higher level tasks based on the causes of the Civil War.  Students work at their own pace as they explore the causes of the Civil War through text, pictures, and multimedia effects.  They then place their responses to the activity's queries on a corresponding electronic worksheet.  Students then use that information to lead classroom discussions backed up by multimedia and PowerPoint visuals.  Students also participate in other activities that to ensure mastery of the content standards.  Students are also able to enhance and develop comprehension, evaluative, analytical, Language Arts, and application skills during the “Road to Civil War” activity to further their content literacy of the standards.  This type of web-based assignment could be used across the curriculum.

Teacher, School, or House Published Websites that Deliver Course Content and Information

This sample activity utilizes examples of: #1 "Force Multiplier" #2 Customized Lessons #3 Active Learning #4 Accessibility #5 Learning Communities #6 Motivate #7 Content Literacy #8 At-Risk #9 Students with Special Needs #10 Anchored Assessment   Please examine the following websites as examples:  http://www.mrgigliotti.com - Example Teacher Site  http://www.msr7socialstudies.com - Example Teacher Site  http://www.mrgigliotti.com/teamextreme.htm - Example House Website  http://www.kenston.k12.oh.us/khs/khs.htm - Excellent School Website built by students  http://www.webCT.com

A properly designed teacher published website is the backbone of educational technology today.  Even the teacher with the most novice web-design skills can use a website as the foundation from which to employ each of the powerful Tech-10 strategies.  Web-sites allow educators to establish a permanent classroom on the Internet and in the educational lives of their students.  Websites can turn your course into a 24 hour a day learning center for your students and others hoping to learn more about your subject matter.  Teacher published websites can host valuable course materials such as notes, handouts, presentations, web-based activities, podcasts and v-casts, electronic bulletin boards, blogs, Internet based activities, on-line grades, serve as a communication hub with parents and peers, a way to build a sense of community, as well as a variety of other unlimited functions.  Many colleges have employed such systems over the past 10 years such as WebCt and Blackboard.  Systems like these make publishing course content even easier.  Web design programs such as DreamWeaver, Frontpage, and Expressions are also manageable tools for computer savvy teachers.  A web-site is a good starting point for educators looking to drive into the world of educational technology.  A website's usefulness and appeal is only limited by a teachers creativity.

Podcasting for Success

This sample activity utilizes examples of: #1 "Force Multiplier" #3 Active Learning #4 Accessibility #5 Learning Communities #6 Motivate #7 Content Literacy #9 Students with Special Needs

Don't tell your students to put away their .mp3 players just yet.  Instead turn them into powerful teaching devices with podcasts!  Podcasting is a fairly new and exciting means by which to employ educational technology and the Tech-10 in your school.  PodCasting can be used in multiple ways in order to assist student achievement and to bring traditional content to life.  Below you will find four different types of educational podcasts.  Each of these can be used easily and successfully in an educational setting.  Podcasts employ many of the Tech-10 concepts, especially the "Force Multiplier."  Programs to record podcasts such as WavePad and Garage Band, can be found on-line and are relatively inexpensive.  These programs are also easy to use even for the most novice user.  You will also want to be sure that your microphone is of good quality.  USB Lapel microphones are ideal for the classroom and can be found at" www.soundprofessionals.com.  When using podcasts with your students, you may decide to not use traditional podcasting means, if there is such a thing, that require i-tunes.   I prefer to save my recordings as .mp3 files which students can download from my website without i-tunes.  They can also listen to them on their desktop.  Podcasts can also be copied onto CD's for students without .mp3 players.  This type of assignment could be used across the curriculum.

Teacher recorded content delivery: In this type of podcast the teacher records their regular classroom including directions, questions, and content using a good quality microphone in class.  The recording is then posted on the Internet for students to access the audio or video of your class.  Students can then go back and listen to course content even when class is not in session.  The podcast can be used as a means to study and review content.  It can be accessed by students who are not in school, and of course concerned parents who want to know what their children are learning in class. Example: Class Discusses the French and Indian War

Student Created PodCasts: With this spin on the podcast, the students actually become the teachers as they record their own podcasts.  The assignment modeled here is known as PodCasting From the Frontlines.  Students were expected to master various content standards associated with the American Revolution.  Rather than using traditional means, students were put in charge of their own learning and creating a fun and exciting activity.  Students were each assigned a battle, person, or event associated with the American Revolution.  They used the Internet to research information about that event. Students then use MS Word to write a one minute script containing that information.  One by one, students recorded their scripts, which were then put together in chronological order.  The result was a complete historical narrative of the American Revolution.  Not only did students enjoy recording themselves, but they were excited to listen to the entire narrative and in turn learn the content.  A study guide was provided to go along with the recording.  Example: Student Recorded PodCast

Test and Assignment "Coach" PodCasts: A very innovative and effective means by which to utilize podcast technology is to use them as a "coaching" aid on a test or assignment.  A teacher can assist students by recording a "test coach podcast."  These podcasts read the test questions to the student and offer test taking tips throughout the exam.  Students then listen to the podcast while taking the exam.  This strategy allows students to feel more relaxed while test taking and to learn valuable test taking skills for future standardized tests.  This type of podcast can be used with great success in special education, ELL, with students who are poor test takers, and in preparation for a standardized test.  Example: Introduction and Question #1

VideoCasts: VideoCasts are the next generation of podcasts.  Obviously, a videocast is a podcast which includes not only audio, but also video of the materials!  VideoCasts can be used in any of the above ways.  It requires not only a microphone, but also a web or digital video cam.  The example shown here is a weekly agenda designed to inform parents and students on the week's activities, another use of pod and video casts.  Example: What are we doing in class this week?

See more activities that employ the Tech-10!