Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: A Closer Look at Bugs!

Content Area: Cognitive
Grade Level(s): Pre-K

Content Standard Addressed: CD-SC3.4a Observes, explores and describes a variety of animals and
plants. Describes their basic needs and life cycles.

Technology Standard Addressed: 3-Knowledge Constructor

Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: Bugscope

URL(s) to support the lesson: https://bugscope.beckman.illinois.edu

Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom:
I would incorporate an online collaboration site within my classroom by letting the students
have a chance to interact with others outside of the classroom. I would make sure that the sites and
project is approved by the school and have parent consent. Bugscope is a great collaboration site
because as a class we are able to connect with them to learn more about the bugs we find and ship
to them.
This is a great site because it is safe and educational. Students will be able to use an online
microscope and take a closer look at the bugs they found. they can explore and make observations
about the bugs they see under the microscope. They also have the opportunity to ask questions to
experts about bugs and learn something new. The experts can also teach the class about the bug’s
basic needs and life cycles. This will be an engaging activity for the students and a great way for
them to learn online.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
A projector would be needed so the students could see the project on the screen and interact with what is
being shown to them.

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: Students will be able to use the microscope online and connect with experts through
Bugscope.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project): Student’s will be encouraged to draw what they see on
the screen and discuss what is being shown to them. They can also ask questions.

c. Higher-order thinking: The students will be using a scanning electron microscope (SEM) in the
classroom to take a closer look at bugs.

d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product: The class
will be able to go back and look at their session and other sessions Bugscope has done with other
classes. It also saves what they did during the session for the class to review.

Spring 2018_SJB
 Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☐ Remembering ☐ Understanding ☐ Applying ☐ Analyzing ☒ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☐ Level 4: Integration
☒ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):

Each child will have the opportunity to participate in this activity by having the chance to look through the
SEM online. They will also be able to ask questions to the experts and participate in the discussion.
Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies:
This lesson will be approved by the school and have parent consent before the classroom connects with
Bugscope. Teacher will also be cautious of student privacy when they are asking questions and engaging with
the Bugscope experts.

Reflective Practice:
I feel like this lesson could impact student learning by helping them see bugs in a new way and up
close with the microscope. I also feel like they will have the opportunity to get many questions
answered. I think it will also spark interest in the nature unit about bugs and get them excited to
learn more. To further extend the lesson, we could review our Bugscope session and look for more
bugs outside and see what they are like in their natural habitat.

Spring 2018_SJB