Using the Internet for Instruction

Janice Bezanson
EdTech 541 - Spring 2011

Subject: Social Studies Web-Based Lesson

Overview
This lesson is designed as a culminating activity for a regular-ed fifth grade classroom
following the completion of a unit on the colonies. Students will be asked to work in
small collaborative groups while utilizing internet resources including:

Xtimeline
Google Earth
Google Docs
ToonDoo
Delicious

Objectives

Using Xtimeline students will complete a timeline showing the settlement dates of the 13
colonies.

Using Google Earth students will locate the relative location of where the colonies were
established. This activity will help them understand the importance geography played in
their economy.

Using Delicious students will save the websites used during their searches for pertinent
information.

Using Google Docs students will write collaboratively answering questions about the
colonies.

Using ToonDoo students will write and create a comic strip that will tell the story about
their colony region.

Lesson

Time Allotment - This lesson will take place over one month. Students will be given
time during class to work collaboratively. They can also access the online sites at home
to facilitate the conclusion of this assignment.

Group Assignment - Each group will be assigned one section of colonies to research:
New England Colonies, Middle Colonies, or Southern Colonies.
Research
Each section will have the following identical steps to complete the web-based lesson.

Students will conduct internet searches to complete the following list of required
information. Students will save important websites to a delicious account.

Students will identify which colonies are located within their assigned region.
Students will determine the year each colony was established

Students will identify the important people of each colony and why they are significant to
the colony.

Students will describe how religion affected life in the colonies.

Students will understand how geography effected the economy in the different colony
regions.

Tasks

Students will create a timeline using Xtimeline.

Students will keep notes and share information using Google Docs.

Students will collaboratively write a historical fiction cartoon strip to share with the class
that includes all the necessary information described above.

Rubric
The rubric for this assignment was created using Rubistar. It can be used interactively
over the internet or can be printed out.

Standards

The following California Content Standards were used in created this web-based
lesson:

English-Language Arts Content Standards for CA Public Schools

1.0 Writing Strategies

Research and Technology
1.3 Use organizational features of printed text to locate relevant information
1.4 Create simple documents by using electronic media and employing organizational
features.

Evaluation and Revision

1.6 Edit and revise manuscripts to improve the meaning and focus of writing b adding,
deleting, consolidating, clarifying, and rearranging words and sentences.

2.0 Writing Applications

2.1 Write narratives:
a. Establish a plot, point of view, setting, and conflict
b. Show, rather than tell, the events of the story.

History-Social Science Content Standards for California Public Schools

5.4 Students understand the political, religious social, and economic institutions that
evolved in the colonial era.

1. Understand the influence of location and physical setting on the founding of the
original 13 colonies, and identify on a map the locations of the colonies and of the
American Indian nations already inhabiting these areas.

2. Identify the major individuals and groups responsible for the founding of the various
colonies and the reasons for their founding.

3. Describe the religious aspects of the earliest colonies.

The following NETS standards were used in this web-based lesson:

1. Creativity and Innovation

Students demonstrate creative thinking, construct knowledge, and develop innovative
products and processes using technology. Students:

a. apply existing knowledge to generate new ideas, products, or processes.

b. create original works as a means of personal or group expression.
c. use models and simulations to explore complex systems and issues.

2. Communication and Collaboration

Students use digital media and environments to communicate and work collaboratively,
including at a distance, to support individual learning and contribute to the learning of
others. Students:

a. interact, collaborate, and publish with peers, experts, or others employing a variety of
digital environments and media.
b. communicate information and ideas effectively to multiple audiences using a variety
of media and formats.

3. Research and Information Fluency

Students apply digital tools to gather, evaluate, and use information. Students:

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.

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. Students:
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.

5.Digital Citizenship
Students understand human, cultural, and societal issues related to technology and
practice legal and ethical behavior. Students:
a. advocate and practice safe, legal, and responsible use of information and
technology.
b. exhibit a positive attitude toward using technology that supports collaboration,
learning, and productivity.
c. demonstrate personal responsibility for lifelong learning.
d. exhibit leadership for digital citizenship.

6. Technology Operations and Concepts

Students demonstrate a sound understanding of technology concepts, systems, and
operations. Students:
a. understand and use technology systems.
b. select and use applications effectively and productively.
c. troubleshoot systems and applications.
d. transfer current knowledge to learning of new technologies.