Lesson Title: Famous “Techie” Research Project Grade Level: 6-8 Subject: Technology

Content Objectives: (ISTE Standards for Students) 3. Research and information fluency Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. a. Plan strategies to guide inquiry b. Locate, organize, analyze, evaluate, synthesize, and ethically use information from a variety of sources and media c. Evaluate and select information sources and digital tools based on the appropriateness to specific tasks d. Process data and report results 4. Critical thinking, problem solving, and decision making Students use critical thinking skills to plan and conduct research, manage projects, solve problems, and make informed decisions using appropriate digital tools and resources. a. Identify and define authentic problems and significant questions for investigation b. Plan and manage activities to develop a solution or complete a project c. Collect and analyze data to identify solutions and/or make informed decisions d. Use multiple processes and diverse perspectives to explore alternative solution

Before you get started… Please make sure that you have received the “Techie” Research Guide, Concept Map, and Rubric from your teacher. If you have not, get these handouts before starting the PowerPoint.

Introduction In order to help you understand the idea of “technology” better, you are going to complete a research project on the people behind the field of technology. You will be using a process called the Big 6 Model. Follow each step in order to successfully research and create your final project. Good luck!!

1. Task Definition You are going to create a presentation over a person who is (or was) involved in the technology field (a “Techie”). It is especially important that you research someone who invented something in the field of technology. You will research a variety of things about this person such as their birth place, birth date, death date, college attended, inventions, and the relevance of their inventions. The presentation that you are going to make will be made by using either PowerPoint or Prezi.

2. Information Seeking Strategies Decide on a famous “techie” that interests you. To help you with this, think of an invention that is important to you and research the person who invented it. You can use a variety of resources such as books, magazines, the internet and more. Use a blank sheet of paper to brainstorm the sources of your information and what sources are best for your particular project. Choose the best sources after brainstorming.

3. Location and Access You will be given time to explore the school library and its resources. You will have the opportunity to use the internet, encyclopedias, biographies, and any other resources you can find to assist you in your research.

4. Use of Information As you locate different pieces of information from the research you are doing, you will take notes on the information that you find using the concept map given to you. Please be sure to include citations for the places you have used information from. You will also be filling out the “Techie Research Guide” during this time.

5. Synthesis You will now begin to create your presentation using PowerPoint or Prezi. You need to include all of the information that is on your “Techie Research Guide”. The presentation needs to be visually appealing, contain all of the information that is on your research guide, and it should definitely be well thought out.

6. Evaluation You will evaluate yourself and be evaluated by the teacher from the rubric that was given to you. The evaluation is based on your presentation and how well you were able to locate resources to complete your presentation.

Conclusion: After following all of the steps in the Big 6 Model, you should have a finished presentation. Please look at the rubric and rate how you truly believe that you performed. Great job!!

Note to Professor Siko: Thank you for allowing me to actually make the lesson. I found this more fulfilling. Please see the students supplements that I created that were also attached to the email. The only thing that I am missing is explaining my adaptive/assistive technology. I chose to voice record the slides for ESL students mostly. Over 80% of the students at my school are ESL and they definitely excel when things are read to them compared to them having to read alone. This can also be used for students who are vision impaired.