Shaye Price

Intro to distance education

Project 2: Distance Education Instructional Design plan

Lesson Title: Comparing Objects in the Solar System

Grade Level / Target Audience: 6th Grade Science

Purpose: The purpose of this unit is to incorporate Gagne’s 9 events of

instruction into the students learning about how to compare objects in space to
our solar system.

Instructional design model: Gagne’s 9 Events of Instruction

1. Gaining Attention (Engagement which gets students ready to learn)

2. Informing the Learner of the Objective (What students should know and be able to do)
3. Stimulating Recall of Prior Learning (Building on students prior knowledge)
4. Presenting the Stimulus (Newly introduced content)
5. Providing Learner Guidance (Instructional support which aids students in learning)
6. Eliciting Performance (Practice opportunities)
7. Giving Feedback (Advise students of strengths and weaknesses)
8. Assessing Performance (Formative or Summative assessments)
9. Enhancing Retention and Transfer (Extension activity / Additional practice)

Gagne’s events of instruction are based upon processing information and

cognitive functions for students. This type of instruction is best for science
because it links in with the five E model of lessons. Each event in Gagne’s
instruction follow the 5 E model lesson which are engagement, explore, explain,
elaborate, and evaluate. Each step can be applied to the nine events. Science is
an inquiry based subject and following Gagne’s events and the 5E lesson model
allows for science to have more inquiry based instruction.

Background: The students will use models in order to represent the comparing
sizes of our solar system. Students will be identifying similarities and differences
between the planets in regard to size in relation to the Earth, atmospheric and
surface features, distance from the sun, and the ability to support life. Students
will also compare and contrast comets, asteroids, and meteoroids based on their
composition and location in the solar system.

Standard addressed (Earth Science): S6E1. Obtain, evaluate, and

communicate information about current scientific views of the
Universe and how those views evolved.
Element: c. Analyze and interpret data to compare and contrast the planets in
our solar system in terms of:
 size relative to Earth,
 surface and atmospheric features,
 relative distance from the sun, and
 ability to support life.

Objectives: At the completion of this course, with at least 70% accuracy,

students will be able to:
 Identify the different objects in our solar system.
 Compare and contrast the size and scale of objects in our solar system.
 Analyze the different objects in our solar system to create a story board.

Suggested Activities in reference to instructional design model:

Module 1. Introduction to objects in our solar system.

Event of Instruction Lesson Example Rationale

1. Gaining Attention To gain the students attention
this module will start with a
discussion question. The
students will answer the
question and reply to three
classmates. The question is for
them to predict what would
happen if the Sun was closer to
the Earth.
This discussion question
will allow for students to
become engaged in what
they are learning about.
The students will make
predictions according to
what they already know.

2. Informing the Learner The students will use the
of the Objective checklist for this model to know
what they have to do to
complete the week.
A checklist will help the
students keep up with all of
the assignments for the
week and allow them to
have the information on
what they are to do and
know.

3. Stimulating Recall of The students will complete a A webquest is beneficial for

Prior Learning webquest to enhance their
knowledge of objects within our
solar system. In this webquest,
the students will observe the
different objects in space by
using different websites. They
will then answer questions that
go along with the webquest.
students to enhance their
knowledge of the content.
They are able to work
independently and with
inquiry to obtain their
answers.

4. Presenting the The new content will be The webquest will give the
Stimulus introduced with the webquest. students new information for
Students may already be able to the size and scale of objects
identify the different objects in in our solar system.
 our solar system and the
webquest pushes them for
further knowledge.
5. Providing Learner The teacher will help the
Guidance students as needed. The
students will be using certain
websites that are present on
the webquest to answer their
questions.
The teacher will allow contact
from the students if they are
having trouble finding their
answers to the webquest.
6. Eliciting Performance The students will then participate
in a discussion about the objects
in space. The teacher will ask
the students to explain
something new that they learned
while working on the webquest.
7. Giving Feedback The teacher will provide
feedback to individual students.
The teacher will grade their
webquest based on accuracy
and completion. The teacher
will also reply to students
discussions to see the new
information they have learned
and their predictions.
The teacher will then provide
the students with interactive
notes to guide the students
toward new information about
the objects in our solar system.
8. Assessing The students will take a short
Performance answer quiz for the teacher to
assess their learning of the new
content.
9. Enhancing Retention The students will compare and
and Transfer contrast comets, asteroids, and
meteors in a Vinn Diagram.
This will help the students with
Students doing online
assignments need to be
able to contact their teacher
if there are any questions.
The teacher will provide the
necessary support for their
students.
Participation in the
discussion will allow the
students to connect with
their peers and teacher.
Students will be able to see
what their peers have
learned that is new to them
and share what new
information they have
obtained.
Feedback is very important
for students. They need to
know how they are doing in
their class and the teacher
giving feedback toward the
webquest and discussions
will help the students learn
their strengths and
weaknesses.
Short answer assessments
let the teacher see where
the students are in regard to
the content. This will help
the teacher know if a
student needs remediation
or enhancement.
By students using a venn
diagram, it will help them in
knowing the similarities and
differences between all three
objects in the solar system.
 enhancing their knowledge and
retention of the content.

Module 2: Research project on comparing and contrasting objects in the solar

system.

Event of Lesson Example Rationale

Instruction
1. Gaining Students will watch a video about the different Watching a video
Attention objects in space and their relative size and engages the
scales to each other. students to expand
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=octRYMsiLX0 their knowledge.

2. Informing the The students will use the checklist for this model A checklist will help
Learner of the to know what they have to do to complete the the students keep up
week. with all of the
Objective assignments for the
week and allow them
to have the
information on what
they are to do and
know.

3. Stimulating Students will participate in a discussion about Discussions allow

Recall of Prior the video they watched. They will explain two the students to recall
new things they learned while watching the what they already
Learning video. know and put it with
new content.

4. Presenting the Students will be given instructions for their Researching objects
Stimulus research project. They are able to use different in space gives the
types of media in order to complete their students more
research project. The project will be centered on information to
the students comparing and contrasting the expand on their
different objects in our solar system. They will knowledge they
choose three different objects to focus on and already knew.
they may work with a partner if they choose.

5. Providing The teacher will give specific instruction to help Giving students
Learner Guidance the students with their research projects. The guided questions
teacher will also give guided questions to help for their research
those students who need extra instruction. The project will give
students will also be able to choose whether they them extra support
want to work in groups or not. Working in groups where they needed
will give them extra assistance from their peers if it, and group work
needed. allows the students
extra assistance
from their peers.

6. Eliciting The students will share their research projects Students being able
with one another. This will allow students to look to look at each other
Performance at the comparing and contrasting of other objects projects fives them
in our solar system than the objects they an opportunity to see
researched themselves. more information
about object in our
solar system.

7. Giving The teacher will give individual and groups of Feedback is very
Feedback student’s feedback about their projects. The important for
teacher will be looking for correct content and students. They
an understanding of how to compare and need to know how
contrast the different objects in our solar they are doing in
system. their class and the
teacher giving
feedback toward
the research project
and discussions will
help the students
learn their strengths
and weaknesses.

8. Assessing The research project is the assessment for this The research project
Performance module. The teacher will assess the content is a performance
knowledge and the understanding of how to task and is used to
compare and contrast objects in our solar assess student
system. understanding.

9. Enhancing The students will participate in a discussion Discussions are a

Retention and based on their peer’s research projects. The way to enhance
students will assess their peer’s projects and student’s retention
Transfer discuss what they have learned from at least two and the transfer of
of their peers. content into writing.

Module 3: Story board comparing and contrasting the size and scale of objects in
the solar system.

Event of Instruction Lesson Example Rationale

1. Gaining Attention
The students will watch a video
and read the how to instructions
to use storyboardthat.com.
The students will need to
know how to use the
website and they become
engaged by knowing what
how to use the website for
their next performance
task.

2. Informing the Learner
of the Objective
The students will use the
checklist for this model to know
what they have to do to
complete the week.
A checklist will help the
students keep up with all of
the assignments for the
week and allow them to
have the information on
what they are to do and
know.
3. Stimulating Recall of The students will participate in
Prior Learning a discussion about what they
want their storyboard to be
about. They will have to choose
the objects that they want to
compare and contrast within
their storyboard.
4. Presenting the Students will create their own
Stimulus storyboard. They will use the
storyboard to compare and
contrast three objects in our
solar system. The students may
choose to work individually or in
a group.
5. Providing Learner The teacher will provide example
Guidance storyboard to help the students
with how to create a storyboard.
The teacher will also provide
help to students who ask and the
students are allowed to work in
groups to help each other.
6. Eliciting Performance The students will then share
their storyboards with each
other. The students will be able
to see their peer’s creativity and
acquire new knowledge about
the different objects in our solar
system.
7. Giving Feedback The teacher will give individual
and groups of student’s
feedback about their projects.
The teacher will be looking for
correct content and an
understanding of how to
compare and contrast the
different objects in our solar
system.
8. Assessing The storyboard is the
Performance assessment for this module.
The teacher will assess the
content knowledge and the
understanding of how to
compare and contrast objects in
our solar system.
9. Enhancing Retention The students will participate in a
and Transfer discussion based on their peer’s
storyboards. The students will
The students will have to
recall what they learned
from the first two modules
and apply that to their
storyboard.
Working on a project that
has a different kind of
media will allow the
students to be creative.
The teacher is providing
assistance to those
students who need it and
allowing the students to
work in groups to help each
other. Providing an
example storyboard will
give the students an idea
as to what the teacher is
looking for.
Sharing their storyboard will
give the students more
information on the different
objects in our solar system.
Feedback is very important
for students. They need to
know how they are doing in
their class and the teacher
giving feedback toward the
storyboards and
discussions will help the
students learn their
strengths and weaknesses.
The storyboard is a
performance task and is
used to assess student
understanding.
Discussions are a way to
enhance student’s retention
and the transfer of content
 assess their peer’s storyboards into writing.
and discuss what they have
learned from at least two of their
peers.

Module Design
This course will be divided into three content modules and an introduction module. Each
module will assess the student’s knowledge by giving them a performance task to do. The
students will also be assessed by their participation in discussions. There will be a formal
assessment at the end of each module for the teacher to check for understanding. The
students will work individually or in groups for certain performance tasks. The students
will also have to communicate with their peers by replying to discussion posts.

MODULE Assignments / Assessments

*DUE @11:59 on the last day of the module*

Module 1: 1. Getting Started

Canvas  Accessing Canvas
Orientation  Steps on how to use Canvas, students will follow instructions
(1 week) in using Canvas online
 Read your syllabus
2. Things to use for this course
 Use a calendar to know when your assignments are due
 Use your checklist for each module
 How to participate in discussions
 How to take a quiz
 Introduce yourself discussion with a grade submission
 How to use Canvas and syllabus quiz with grade submission

Module 2: 1. Lesson Objective

(2 weeks) -Students will be able to identify different objects in our solar
Intro to system.
different 2. Checklist
objects in our -Engagement Discussion
solar system -Objects in our Solar System Webquest
-Short answer quiz
-End of module discussion

Module 3: 1. Lesson Objective

(2 Weeks) - Students will be able to compare and contrast the size and scale
Researching
the objects in of different objects in our solar system.
our solar 2. Checklist
system -Video about the different object in space
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=octRYMsiLX0
-Discussion about the video
-Research Project
-Discussion about Research Project

Module 4: 1. Lesson Objective

(2 Weeks) - Students will be able to analyze the different objects in space
Storyboard by creating a story board.
2. Checklist
-Video on how to use storyboardthat.com
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AyzSO8Wj2IM
-Discussion on What Your Storyboard will be about
-Storyboard Project
-End of Module Discussion

Assessments
Students will participate in a variety of assessments during this course. They will
participate in discussions, activities, performance tasks and quizzes to assess
their knowledge of the content. Discussions and activities will represent their
informal assessments while performance tasks and quizzes will represent their
formal assessments. Each module has at least one discussion, an activity or
performance task, and a quiz whether selected or constructed response.

Module 1 = total of 20 points

 Discussion 1 “Introduce yourself” – (10 points) See discussion rubric

In this discussion you will introduce yourself to me and your peers. In
your introduction, explain all about you. Where are you from? Do you
have any hobbies? What do you like to do after school? What is your
favorite subject? How do you think you will do in this class, and what are
you looking forward to?

Read your classmates posts and respond to at least three of your peer’s posts.
What do you have in common? What do you do that is different?

 Quiz #1: Canvas and Syllabus Quiz - (5 questions 2 points each = 10

points)
 1. Can I upload files from my google drive?
a. Yes
b. No

2. Are you able to use your mobile device to keep up with

announcements?
a. Yes
b. No

3. Where can students see a sequenced list of the course's resources,

activities, and quizzes, organized into modules?

4. Which form of communication do you use to get in touch with your

teacher?
a. Email
b. Reply to an announcement
c. Phone
d. Both a and b

5. How do you view your grade after your teacher has graded your
assignments?

Module 2 = total of 40 points

 Discussion #2: Predictions – (10 points) See discussion rubric

Predict what you think may happen if the Sun was closer to Earth. Answer in
complete sentences and reply to at least three of your peers.

 Webquest – (10 points) based on accuracy of answers

 Short Answer Quiz- (5 questions @ 2 point each= 10 points)

1. What are scientists who study space called?
2. What are Venus’s atmospheric features?
3. What is Jupiter’s size compared to the Earth?
4. Is Jupiter able to support life? Why or why not?
5. What is the difference between a comet and an asteroid?

 Discussion #3: About your webquest (10 points) See discussion rubric
Explain three interesting facts that you learned while completing your webquest.
Answer in complete sentences and reply to at least three of your peers.

Module 3= total of 30 points

  Discussion #4: Thoughts on the video –(10 points) See discussion
rubric
Explain five new interesting facts that you learned while watching the
video. Answer in complete sentences.

 Research Project on comparing and contrasting the different objects

in our solar system. (10 points) See research project rubric

 Discussion #5: About your research project (10 points) See discussion
rubric
Analyze your peer’s research projects and explain three new interesting
facts that you have learned. Answer in complete sentences and reply to at
least two of your classmates to see what you have in common about what
you learned.

Module 4 = total of 50 points

 Discussion #6: Storyboard Project – (10 points) See discussion rubric

Explain what your storyboard is going to be about. What three objects are
you going to put in your storyboard to compare and contrast? Answer in
complete sentences and reply to your classmates about what they are
doing for their storyboard.

 Storyboard Project – (20 points) See storyboard rubric

Use storyboardthat.com to complete a storyboard that compares and
contrasts three different objects in our solar system.

 Discussion #7: About your storyboards – (10 points) See discussion

rubric
Analyze your classmates storyboard. Explain three new interesting facts
that you have learned. Compare and contrast one object from your
storyboard to one of your classmate’s objects. Reply to at least two of your
peers to tell them what you liked about their storyboard.

Discussion Post Rubric

Class Participation/Discussion Rubric

  10 7 5 2

Quality of Timely and  Volunteers  Struggles but  Does not participate 

appropriate  comments but lacks participates, occasionally and/or only makes 
Comments comments, thoughtful  depth, may or may  offers a comment when  negative or 
and reflective,  not lead to other  directly questioned, may  disruptive remarks, 
responds respectfully  questions from  simply restate questions  comments are 
 to other student's  students or points previously  inappropriate or off 
remarks, provokes  raised, may add nothing  topic
questions and  new to the discussion or 
comments from the  provoke no responses or 
group question

Clear reference to text Has done the  Has not read the entire  Unable to refer to 

being discussed and  reading; lacks  text and cannot sustain  text for evidence or 
connects to it to other  thoroughness of  any reference to it in the  support of remarks
Resource/Document
text or reference  understanding or  course of discussion
Reference points from previous  insight
readings and 
discussions

Posture, demeanor  Listens to others  Drifts in and out of  Disrespectful of 

and behavior clearly  some of the time,  discussion, listening to  others when they are
demonstrate respect   does not stay  some remarks while  speaking; behavior 
and attentiveness to  focused on other's  clearly missing or  indicates total non­
others comments (too  ignoring others involvement with 
busy formulating  group or discussion
Active Listening own) or loses 
continuity of 
discussion. Shows 
some consistency 
in responding to 
the comments of 
others

Discussion total ____ / 10points

Research Project Rubric

Research Project total ________/10 points

Storyboard Rubric
Storyboard Project total ___________/20

Interactivity and Collaboration

Within each module there are discussions and activities that allow the students to
communicate with their peers and teacher. Module 1 is designed for the students
to get to know Canvas and each other. They will participate in a discussion where
they introduce themselves to the class. Module 2 is designed for the students to
become aware of what they are learning within the class by doing a webquest.
They will also participate in discussions to communicate with their peers and
teacher about what they know and have learned. Module 3 is designed for
students to research the content either on their own or in groups. The students
are able to work together collaboratively if they choose. The students will then
participate in discussions with their peers and teacher about what they have
learned and know. Module 4 is designed for the students to expand on the
knowledge that they researched by creating a storyboard. The students may
work together collaboratively if they choose. The students will then participate in
discussions with their peers and teacher to assess what they know at the end of
the module.
Use of Technology
Technology will be incorporated within this course through a variety of formats
 Storybordthat.com –
 Google software –
 Hardware / Software – Students will need a laptop or computer to
complete assignments. They will also need a reliable source of internet.
 Mobile equipment – Smartphone devices are encouraged to use with the
Canvas app. This way the students can access their platform anywhere
anytime.
 Operating systems
The students an access Canvas with any Android or IOS mobile device
through the app or browser.

Learner Support
The students will receive support from the teacher throughout the modules. If a
student needs to contact their teacher they may do so by email or come in during
office hours as posted in their syllabus.

Troubleshooting – The learner will receive technology support from the

teacher through the duration of the class. They will learn how to use the
Canvas platform in Module 1 and be able to access canvas through their
support/help information. The learner will also be guided through using
storyboardthat.com.

Structure – The learner will be provided with objectives and goals for each
module along with a checklist. The learner will also have assignment examples
and be able to use the Canvas calendar to help alleviate stress for when
assignments are due.

Feedback – Learners are provided with quick and reliable feedback. They will
receive instant feedback on quizzes from Canvas and the teacher will provide
feedback on assignments.