Introduction to Engineering Information Technology Lesson Plan Objectives: The learner will demonstrate knowledge of information sharing skills by discussing each step of this lesson with group partners. The learner will demonstrate application of information sharing skills by working with a group to share specific pieces of data with another classroom. National Science Education Standards: UCP2, SI1, SI2, ST1, ST2, NHS1 Benchmarks: 1B, 3A, 3B, 3C, 8D, 8E Materials: Parent/Guardian consent form Computer with e-mail access Computers for the various stations (if using the station set up) Logitech Digital Pen and Digital Notebook Digital Camera Scanner Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional Web Cam (optional) Background: While it is important for students to be able to share information across distances, just as scientists do, it is first necessary to teach students the skills involved in the proper use of technology. In this lesson, students will be learning how to use information sharing tools so that they may share their ideas, questions, and discoveries with others in the next lesson. Before beginning such a lesson, it is imperative for teachers to discuss with the school s principal or supervisor the district policies involving students sharing information and images electronically. Also, teachers are urged to review with students the school s policy on appropriate use of the internet. A sample parent consent form is provided which can be modified to meet the needs of individual school districts. It is extremely important to obtain parent/guardian permission before any information is transmitted electronically.
Preparation: Be sure all of the equipment is in proper working order. It will be much easier for students to learn to use the information sharing tools if they are working well. An e-mail account is needed for students to share information with other classrooms, so one may need to be created if there is no classroom e-mail already. For security reasons, do not give students the password to the e mail account. This is to ensure none of the information being shared is accessed by a student while not under teacher supervision. As the teacher it is important to be familiar with the internet programs being used and it may be helpful to spend some time working with them before teaching the lesson. Procedures: 1. Be sure to have all permission slips signed before beginning the lesson. 2. Discuss with students the importance of information sharing. How is information sharing important in your life? 3. Break students into groups which will work together throughout the information sharing process. These groups will be rotating to different stations during this lesson. 4. Assign each group to a station to start. Each station will have its own set of directions for students to follow. Once a group completes one task they will move to the next station. It may help to have a timer available for students to keep pace. 5. After each group has completed the task at each station, bring the class back together. Review e-mail etiquette and techniques together as you send your information to the other class. 6. Once the class receives the information from the other class, allow students to discuss as a class the process and create a brief reply. Variations and Follow-Up Activities: Depending on the needs of the class, the stations may be done as whole class activities instead. Assessments: The teacher will view all student work and monitor student progress during class.
Dear Parent or Guardian, Date Your student will be participating in an exciting information sharing program this year. He/she will be learning about the ways in which scientists use technology to communicate their ideas, observation, questions, and results. These experiences will reach beyond the classroom as students will be learning skills necessary for job success in a world where technology is continually growing. Your consent is required before your student is able to transmit images or information electronically. Our class will be communication with school in. The e-mails and attachments will be opened in the classroom by the teacher who is the only person with the password for the account. Once the information and images are shared with students, they will not be available for students to access on their own. We would, however, like to share some of your students work with others in the community. Please check off the following items which consent to for your child to participate in. Regardless of your choices, your child will still be learning about the different types of technologies used in this project. Thank you, Teacher Name Please sign, detach, and return --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- I give permission for to participate in the following. E-mail science related messages Send digital images of science work Send digital images of student in science class Virtual conference via a webcam (to be accessed by the other classroom only) Display student work on the internet Display student photo on the internet All of the above
Station 1 Using Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional 1. Open Microsoft word and write your group s name (the name you give to your group, not your individual names) in your favorite font. Save the file as acrobat (insert group name) in the folder for our class. 2. Close Word and open Adobe Acrobat 6.0 Professional. Click on File, and then Create New PDF and choose From File. 3. Adobe will automatically turn your work file into a PDF file. 4. Once the file has been made into a PDF, choose File, and Save as. Name your file the same thing as the word file only as a PDF instead. You should now have both a word file and a PDF file with the same name in the folder.
Station 2 Using the Digital Camera 1. Break your group into two smaller groups. 2. Turn on the camera and have one group take the other groups picture. 3. Switch so that you now have two pictures, one of each of the smaller groups. 4. Connect the camera to the computer and use the camera software to download the pictures. 5. Save them in an album titled pictures (group name) in the folder for your class.
Station 3 Using the Digital Pen 1. Take the pen cap off of the digital pen, you will feel a quick little vibration. 2. One person will write the group name on the top of the page. 3. Each group member will write a sentence about using technology to communicate. 4. When finished, click on Done at the bottom right corner of the page. 5. Place the pen into the holder. Ask your teacher to type in the password and then save your digital notebook page as digital pen (group name) in the folder for your class.
Station 4 Using the Scanner 1. Take a piece of paper from the station write the group name on it. 2. Each group member will write a sentence about where scanners are used in everyday life. 3. Place the paper face down in the scanner and press scan. 4. Save the image as scan (group name) in the folder for your class.
Station 5 Engineering Information Technology Group Discussion 1. In this station you will be discussing why you think it is important to be able to communicate electronically. 2. Using the following prompts to help you get started, discuss information sharing and assign one person in the group to keep notes on the discussion. These notes will be handed into the teacher. How do scientists communicate if they are far away from each other? Why may it be important to see pictures of an experiment and not just receive an e-mail about what is happening? Do people other than scientists communicate electronically? What is required in order for electronic communication to be successful?
Full Class Instruction Sending E-mail with Attachments Remember to keep the password to yourself. Students should not be able to access this e-mail account on their own. 1. Discuss the basics of e-mail etiquette and ethical use of the internet. Review the school s policy on internet use. 2. Open the e-mail program you will be using and enter the account. 3. Create a new e-mail. 4. Discuss the e-mail address. 5. Include a subject 6. As a group, allow students to decide on what to write in the text of the e- mail to introduce the class to the other class they will be communicating with. 7. Instruct students in the proper procedure for attaching files. 8. Send the e-mail and attached student work to the other class. 9. When the other classes work is sent, sent a group reply.