Katie Marecle October 15, 2012

Lesson Plan
Overview: Students will be divided into groups to complete a project about an assigned country. Students will use Gapminder and Google Earth technologies to research the current state of their assigned country in terms of population, demographics, economy, etc. Students will also create virtual tours through their assigned country leading through major metropolitan and economic areas, as well as more rural regions. Students will become collaborate to create a presentation to share with the class. Grade Level: 10th grade Prior Knowledge: Students will have a basic understanding of how to use a computer, specifically how to operate an internet browser and search engine. Students will have used Google Earth previously, but only to find one specific location at a time. Students will also have a general understanding of how a nations population can influence its distribution of resources and wealth. Standards: (High School Content Expectations from U.S. History and Geography) CG1 Population Explain the causes and consequences of population changes over the past 50 years by analyzing the population change (including birth rate, death rate, life expectancy, growth rate, doubling time, aging population, changes in science and technology) distributions of population (including relative changes in urban-rural population, gender, age, patterns of migrations, and population density) CG2 Resources Explain the changes over the past 50 years in the use, distribution, and importance of natural resources (including land, water, energy, food, renewable, non-renewable, and ow resources) on human life, settlement, and interactions by describing and evaluating social, political, economic, and environmental consequences of the development, distribution, and use of natural resources the impact of humans on the global environment Outcomes: Students will be able to 1. analyze data gathered through research to interpret changes in population. 2. create a tour in Google Earth highlighting major economic centers and rural areas in their country. 3. discuss the relationships between population and resources in a society Students Groups: The class contains 30 students. There will be six groups, each containing five students. The groups will be selected based upon the home teams that students sit in. These home teams were based upon how students work together. Each group contains at least one student with an exceptionality. The various components of

this project will allow students of all abilities to participate. For students who are visually impaired or learn best through auditory methods, the encyclopedias will have recordings available, as well as for the website. The open-ended opportunities for the visual aid allow for adaptations to meet student needs and abilities. Materials: 1. Teacher computer with projector 2. Three computers for student use 3. Internet access 4. Handouts for project requirements 5. Encyclopedias 6. Construction paper/poster paper 7. Markers 8. Scissors 9. Glue Opening Set Activity: We have been discussing contemporary global issues for the past two class periods. Today, we will be exploring individual countries to see how they compare to the current state of the United States. The teacher will open up gapminder.org to show students how to utilize this tool and to show them the tutorial available on the site. Once the class has analyzed the U.S. population and various demographic information, the teacher will open up the Google Earth software. The teacher will demonstrate how to use this tool while the class examines various economic and rural areas of the United States. Once the data is collected, the teacher and students will discuss how the demographic and economic information gathered influences various aspects of society. Students will then be grouped based upon home teams and assigned one of six countries: India, China, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Libya, Nigeria. Procedures: 1. Each home team (group of 5 students) will be assigned a number 1-6 as well as a country. Group #1 will be assigned India, #2 will be assigned China, etc. 2. Each group will be given a handout that details the requirements of the project. This handout will contain the requirements as well as the technologies used, and links for tutorials. (Gapminder has its own tutorial on the Gapminder World under the link titled how to use) 3. Groups 1-3 will each be able to use one computer to explore the software for 20 minutes. Groups 4-6 will begin their research using encyclopedias for 20 minutes. At the end of 20 minutes, the groups will switch. 4. On day two, Groups 1-3 will get to use the computers for 30 minutes to begin to collect their data from gapminder.org. Groups 4-6 will continue to use the encyclopedias and will begin assembling a visual aid (such as a poster) to be shared with the class. After 30 minutes, Groups 4-6 will switch stations with Groups 1-3. 5. On day three, Groups 1-3 will have 30 minutes to begin to assemble their tour through Google Earth. (Through the research students have completed, they should be aware of major economic regions in the country.) Groups 4-6 will put the finishing touches on their visual aid and begin to practice the presentation. After 30 minutes, the groups will

switch stations. 6. On day four, the final day of the lesson, students will present their projects. Each group will explain the demographic and economic data they collected. This will be displayed in their visual aide. Students will interpret this data to tell the class how the demographics and economy of the country affect the structure of society within the country. Students will also share their virtual tours of their country from Google Earth. Assessment: Students will be assessed on the following criteria 1. Effective use of technology _______/10 points 2. Effectiveness of visual aid _______/5 points 3. Material and information is current and relevant ______/10 points 4. Students interpretation of material is accurate and demonstrates their understanding of life in the country _______/20 points 5. Individual participation in project _______/5 points Total _______/50 points How using Prior knowledge of software achieves software objective Gapminder.org will serve as the resource Students will be students will gather using Gapminder their data from on for the first time. their particular country. Google Earth will be a tool for Students will have students to virtually used Google Earth visit and share with previously to locate the class the major a single, specific economic and rural location areas of their country.

Objective Students will be able to analyze data gathered through research to interpret changes in population. Students will be able to create a tour in Google Earth highlighting major economic centers and rural areas in their country.

Software

Gapminder World (gapminder.org)

Google Earth

Students will develop skills to use a new program and to enhance their capabilities in a program they are already familiar with. Both of these programs are applicable in other areas of Social Studies, as well as in other subjects. The skills students develop to use these programs will be able to be used and built upon in future projects and classes. Each student will have a chance on the computers. Each group will have approximately 80 minutes on a computer to complete their project. That ensures that each group member will have at least 10 minutes of computer use, as well as time observing group members work. I have selected these specific technologies for several reasons. Gapminder not only consolidates a ton of information into an accessible site, it allows students to see

their country in relation to others. Google Earth allows students to visit their country themselves. It is much more meaningful and relatable than using a map or globe. Students will be able to experience aspects of their country through this software. Students will become familiar using this technology by first watching the teacher demonstration as they discuss the United States as an example for the project. Groups will then each have 20 minutes to explore the software and to watch tutorials.