HERN/ECELL
Inquiry Project
History in the Making
by
Sharon Dumas
Students will be doing research based on a variation of the 1999 History Day theme. Hopefully some of the students will be able to continue with their projects in the fall and actually enter the competition. I would be willing to continue to correspond with them via E-mail through out the year.
Catalogue Description
What would life be without the television, the telephone or the toilet?
Have you ever gone for a week without using a motorized vehicle?
In this research based class you will be exploring these and other questions. You will use the Internet and computers to do a mini history day research based on the 1999 theme, "Inventions, Discoveries and Technology in History" You will produce an electronic slide show or web page to display your findings. You may be able to continue with your research and enter the actual history day competition at your school in the fall.
Student Inquiry
Students will choose a scientific invention or discovery and research how it has affected people's lives in the past and will predict how it will affect people's lives in the future. The emphasis will be on cause and effect rather than simply narrating facts about the invention or discovery. Some questions that they will be asking themselves and others:
1. How has the chosen invention, technology or discovery affected people and their lifestyles in the following ways:
leisure activities?
transportation?
jobs?, work?
communication?
schooling?
family life?
religious or ethical beliefs?
where people live?
2. In turn, how have these changes impacted communities, nations and the world?
3. What changes will take place in the future because of this invention?
4. Will the changes be good or bad? Why?
5. If you were an inventor who wanted to leave your mark on history or who wanted to be famous for ever, what would you invent to change the world? Why?
Skills students will learn:
Mechanics of writing
Computer skills
Word processing
Slide shows
Producing web sites
Research skills using the Internet
Interviewing skills
Oral and written communication skills
How to form a thesis statement or focus question
Various note taking skills
How to format a research paper
Importance of primary sources and how to use them in research
How to differentiate between narration and analysis of information.
How to categorize and organize facts and ideas
Cooperative and collaboration skills with classmates and other outside sources
Importance of listening and following directions
How to organize information, tasks and time in order to complete the task successfully
Students will use E-mail, video conferencing and various web sites to get information. They will present their findings via web sites, slide shows and word processed documents as well as arts and crafts.
Features of this project
·Interdisciplinary. some disciplines covered include:
Art design of the web page and art projects
Language Arts:Writing assignments
Social Sciences: As students identify various social sciences and how their chosen invention has impacted them ex. economics, government, geography
Science as they learn about their invention
Math possibly
·Collaboration and cooperation
Students will work together in pairs on projects. Students will also evaluate and give feedback to other classmates.
Students will seek information and feedback from other students and adults, including family members
·Technology:
Students will use computers to acquire, organize and present information via word processing, slide shows, E-mail web engines and other computer related resources. Students will not only learn the mechanics of using the various programs but will also learn how to match tasks with the appropriate technology.
Desired Student outcomes:
A tangible product that they can be proud of.
An eagerness to continue research on their project
Acquisition of research, writing and technological skills that they can and do apply to other course work.
A more global view of society and understanding of interconnectedness among different facets of history and life.
(Is there a way to follow up on these kids to see how Hern affected their studies? Could a survey be developed to deliver to last year's students and these students a couple years after their HERN experience?)
Inquiry questions and tasks for my professional growth
I have done history day for two years in my high school classes and this portion of the students' work constitute a major portion of their grade. Each year my students have been more successful in the competition. However, I am not reaching all the students so I would like to explore some techniques including use of technology and more effective means of assessment to motivate and encourage students. I would also like to think about articulation with feeder schools to see how we can support each other in history day project, think quest and research and history in general. Perhaps by working with younger students I will get ideas.
Questions:
How can technology contribute to student and teacher assessment of a research project?
What are other effective assessment tools and techniques to evaluate research?
How can I apply the Think Quest principles in my classroom this summer and in the fall?
Tasks
·Help students more effectively narrow their searches and develop thesis statements or focus questions.
Develop a questionnaire to help student narrow their search
·Develop effective rubrics or other assessment tools for measuring and evaluating each step of the process.
·Learn more about the Think Quest program and possibly incorporate some of its principles into my class next year.
Where and How Can I share?
With my students
At history day seminars
With my department at Kailua High School
Via the Web site that I and my students will be creating. My students at KHS could add to the web site in the fall.
In publications such as those of Classroom connect where I was recently featured in one of their books.
With ECELL
I have over 25 years of teaching experience and this will be my third HERN experience. I will be able to use my experience to help the MET students and help with the technological tasks of posting web pages. Perhaps my greatest assets are my enthusiasm and willingness to work and to learn.
I believe that by participating in this project that I will learn a lot and thus will be a better teacher and will have a more positive impact on students because of my improved techniques of assessment and other skills that I will acquire. I have had positive learning experiences in two past HERN projects and have been able to share my knowledge with teachers via workshops, publications web pages and conferences. I believe that I have impacted the learning of many students and that this summer will be a continuation in my experience of professional growth and sharing. I also feel that I have technology skills, teaching methods and ideas as well as energy and enthusiasm that will contribute to the excellence of the upcoming ECELL experience. Thank you for considering my project.