Artifact 1

A. Title:
Modern Fashion and Invention
This activity combines writing, information, and technology competencies for grades 3rd- 5th.
This project is a lesson plan in which students will choose an everyday item and create a new use for the item. Once the students have invented their new product they will write a newspaper article about it and create a web site. I created a web page that contains the lesson plan, an example, and students’ page. Using a digital camera I took pictures of the object.

B. Context
This lesson was created as a group effort during my senior block at Appalachian State University, during the spring of 2002. In creating this lesson plan I used a digital camera to take pictures of my example. I edited the picture by using the program Adobe Photoshop. Using the program Netscape Composer I created the web pages.

C. Impact
This project will be a great one to use in the classroom. By placing it on the web other teachers will have an opportunity to use it in their classrooms as well. This project will allow teachers to meet some of the technology goals required for their students. The modern fashion and invention will allow the students to work with a digital camera, Netscape Composer, and the Internet. On the student’s page I have included my e-mail address. This will allow me to receive comments from the students as well as allowing me to give them feedback on their work via e-mail.

D. Alignment
This project allows students to be creative. They will be able to design their own web pages and invent a new use for an everyday object. They must use critical thinking skills to decide how they will present their new invention. (Technology Standard III C)

The students will be working in groups on this project. The teacher will have to manage the students work with the technology. Every group member must have a turn working with the digital camera and the various programs needed to complete the assignment. Each student should lean about the technology used to produce the final product. (Technology Standard III D)

The lesson plan for this project includes a sample rubric for grading the assignment. The students as well as the teacher can access this rubric. By allowing the students to have access they will know what is expected from them. The teacher’s e-mail address is also provided on the student’s page. This will allow the students to e-mail questions and the teacher to return feedback. (Technology Standard IV C)

This lesson includes a variety of teaching and learning strategies. The lesson is presented on the web and students are allowed to express themselves in a variety of creative formats. This project encourages students to assume responsibility for using the learning resources. They are encouraged to be creative and express themselves with little instruction from the teacher. The teacher provides the format and the students are encouraged to find their own way to present their invention. The teacher assumes different roles in the instructional process including instructor, facilitator, coach, and the audience. (INTASC 4)

The lesson plan for this project includes a sample rubric for grading the assignment. The students as well as the teacher can access this rubric. The teacher’s e-mail address is also provided on the student’s page. The students may e-mail the instructor their thoughts and concerns about the project, whether they enjoyed the project or not, and how the project could be improved. The teacher should also e-mail students feedback on their work and suggestions. (INTASC 8)