Online Projects, Collaboration Sites, and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Template

Name: Christella Almonacy

Grade Level: 5th
Content Area: Science
Standards Addressed: SEN2: Students will investigate the reasons for insect success.
a) Investigate the insect body plan and compare and contrast to other arthropods (i.e.:
Arachnids or Crustacea)
Title of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: Bugscope
URL of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity:
http://bugscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/
Describe how you would use the Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing
Opportunity in your classroom: I would use Bugscope as a tool for the students in the their
study of the parts of an insect. They would have the opportunity, both as a class and on their own,
to study an insect under the microscope.
What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a
classroom? A computer
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them
may not be addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level.):
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and
often beyond their school: The students will work in groups to put together a
presentation about the insect of their choice.
b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (collecting original data
and or producing original products as a result of engaging in the project): The
students will use the Bugscope program on the computer to look at samples of
their bug in order to identify its parts, its function in the environment, its habitat,
and its impact on other organisms. The students will then have to evaluate their
insect on its importance to the environment.
c. Higher-order thinking: In order to reach the Create level of Bloom’s Taxonomy,
the students will use a Basic Productivity Tool (such as PowerPoint) to create and
present their findings on their insect.
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about
their product: The groups will publish their presentations to the school blog
where other classrooms can see and discover what they learned.

Bloom’s Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):

See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating
What Level of Technology Implementation best describes this learning activity and Why?:
The LoTi level used for this activity is a level 5 of Expansion. The students will go beyond just
learning about an insect; they will have to work together, using to technology, to study that insect
and create a presentation to defend that insect’s importance.
How could you implement this proposed learning experience and still comply with your
district’s Internet Safety and Student Privacy policies? The online resources used for the

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project would be part of the school’s computer system; any programs would be pre-downloaded
onto the school computers, and the teacher would heavily monitor how the students use them.