Feel The Power (Point)

11/13/2000
Activity Overview: 

Students will research a state based on the region currently being studied. Resources for research will include the Internet, encyclopedias, informational software, textbook, and state books from the school’s library. The information is organized according to a specific scoring guide that will be given to them in advance. Periodically, during the time they are researching, lessons will be given on the components of Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, artistic features, using digital cameras, and the basic skills necessary to edit, copy, and save. Once they have collected the necessary information on their state and have a good foundation of PowerPoint, the students will use their acquired skills to create their slide show presentation. The LCD projector or a TV/monitor converter in connection with the classroom computer will be used to stage the final product.

PURPOSE: 
The purpose of this project is to introduce the presentational tool, PowerPoint.  In addition, this project reinforces the use of other technological and research resources by supplementing the curriculum in various classroom subject areas.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION:
Students will research a state based on the region currently being studied. Resources for research will include the Internet, encyclopedias, informational software, textbook, and state books from the school’s library. The information is organized according to a specific scoring guide that will be given to them in advance. Periodically, during the time they are researching, lessons will be given on the components of Microsoft PowerPoint, Word, artistic features, using digital cameras, and the basic skills necessary to edit, copy, and save. Once they have collected the necessary information on their state and have a good foundation of PowerPoint, the students will use their acquired skills to create their slide show presentation.  The LCD projector or a TV/monitor converter in connection with the classroom computer will be used to stage the final product.

ACTIVITIES:
(Note: This is a unit plan that may cover several days to several weeks.  Not all of the following activities/standards will appear in the video clips used.)

Procedures:

 

Curriculum Standards

From

http://www.intime.uni.edu/model/content/cont.html

 

National Educational Technology Standards (NETS) Performance Indicators from

http://cnets.iste.org//profiles.htm

 

Modeling Microsoft PowerPoint

 

Using an LCD or TV/monitor converter demonstrate the basic components of Microsoft PowerPoint.  

English Language Arts: 4, 11  Grades 3-5: 8, 10  

Independent Practice

 

The students will create sample PowerPoint presentations on lab computers.  This will enable them to become more capable of using the artistic features, word processing features, and skills needed to edit, copy and save to a disk.

English Language Arts: 1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 12   Grades 3-5: 1, 2, 3, 4, 9  

Research:

 

Students must use a variety of sources to research and gather information for reports on a Northeastern State.

Information for the state is found through the Internet, encyclopedias, textbooks, informational software, and state books from the school’s library.

Each child will be given a scoring guide that shows exactly what information is needed for the final presentation.  

English Language Arts: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 12

 

 

 

Social Studies III Middle Grades: a, c, d, e, f, g  

 

Grades 3-5: 1, 3, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10  

Creating technological

 slide-show

 

The information is first organized on paper according to the slide layouts.  The students will then take the information and transfer it to the computer creating their PowerPoint presentation.  They are not only required to include the necessary information, but they must also incorporate attractive backgrounds, creative effects, and coordinating sounds.  

In creating the slide show, students will often incorporate pictures from the digital camera, paint programs, a scanner or the Internet to further enrich their presentation.  

English Language Arts: 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 12   Grades 3-5: 1, 3, 4, 5, 8, 9, 10  

Final presentation

 

After practicing their presentations and becoming fluent with the information and pronunciation of words, the students present their slide shows using the Liquid Crystal Display (LCD) projector to an audience of parents, administrators, and other selected classes.  

 

English Language Arts: 1, 3, 4, 7, 8, 9, 11, 12   Grades 3-5: 1, 4, 5, 8, 9  

TOOLS & RESOURCES:   
Tools needed for this project are computers loaded with Microsoft PowerPoint.  (If you have Microsoft Office, it will include PowerPoint, Word and other artistic features that help to enrich the presentation.) For the final presentation, an LCD projector or a TV/monitor converter is useful.  

PowerPoint.  Microsoft.  Available: http://www.microsoft.com

The resources I used are basic and available to any individual.  We pulled information from our social studies textbooks, state books from the local library, and used the Internet to scan the homepage of each state.

ASSESSMENT: 
Below is a copy of the evaluation that could be used with this project.  It is to the students' advantage to have a copy of this evaluation from the beginning.  The students may then use this as a guide for the information needed.

STATE PROJECT EVALUATION

1.           Project is neat and appealing.

1          2          3          4

2.           Map/Drawing of state.

1          2          3          4

3.           Capital and large cities labeled or listed.

1          2          3          4         

4.           Beginning and Ending Slide

    1       2       3       4

5.           Natural resources found in the state.

1          2          3          4

6.           State symbols illustrated and/or explained.

1          2          3          4

7.           Places to visit explained.

    1          2          3          4

8.           Climate of state described.

1          2          3          4

9.           Famous people associated with state.

1          2          3          4

10.       Other interesting facts.

1          2          3          4

11.       Incorporated various PowerPoint tools (effects, sound, color,

 templates/background).

1          2          3          4 

12.  Knowledge of information about the report subject.

1          2        3       4

13.  Completion of report (everything was completely finished.)

1          2          3          4

14.   Organized and prepared.

1          2          3          4

15.  Knowledge of the use of the PowerPoint program and the

 computer tools necessary to use the PowerPoint during

 the presentation.

            1          2          3          4

  Total Points earned________ out of 60 points total.

 

TIMELINE & COURSE OUTLINE:   
The activity was reenacted for this video.  In order to reenact the activity, a brief lesson was given over material in which the students had already been introduced.  Rather than require the students to research the specific information needed for the report, the data was supplied to them in advance. They simply had to create a PowerPoint based on the information given. The final presentation shown in the video was an actual project that had been completed earlier in the year.  

The first time this activity is introduced to the students, a total of four to five weeks will be needed.  The first two weeks are devoted to teaching the fundamentals of PowerPoint, Word, artistic features, and saving to a disk. A week will be needed for the students to locate the necessary information needed for the report.  One or two weeks will be needed for the students to create the project, familiarize themselves with the information, and practice and present the final presentation. 

Once the students have grasped an understanding of PowerPoint, other presentations will only take about three weeks to complete.  

COMMENTS:   
I started teaching this activity about three years ago.  After I realized the motivation and ability of the students, I started incorporating the technological presentations into other areas of the curriculum.  One of the most rewarding experiences related to this activity, was when my fourth grade class presented for the high school English honors class and then was asked to assist in teaching the class as they learned the fundamentals of the program.

It is rewarding to offer an activity to the student that generates self-discipline and self-motivation.  It is also rewarding to watch as you stretch their ability to a level above the average expectation, and then watch as they revel in their accomplishment.

Technology Resources:  
The choices I made regarding materials were primarily based upon availability.  We were able to have group lessons using an LCD projector, and the students have access to individual computers in the elementary computer lab.  The computers in the lab and in my classroom are loaded with similar software that allowed the students to work in either location.

Teaching Strategy: 
I chose this activity for two primary reasons.  First I have always had an interest in computers and incorporating technology into various classroom activities.  More importantly, I believe that technology incorporated into education is very important to any student.  Technology is definitely the wave of the future, and exposing students to a variety of technological elements can only serve to increase the student’s potential for future success.

Technology as Facilitator of Quality Education Model Components Highlighted in This Activity (http://www.intime.uni.edu/model/modelimage.html)

(Note: This is a unit plan that my cover several days to several weeks. Not all of the elements from the Technology as Facilitator of Quality Education Model that are described below will appear in the video clips used.)

Principles of Learning:

Informal Learning- This type of learning is achieved as students work with peers during the research stage and during the presentations.

Active Involvement- Once the students have a basic understanding of the PowerPoint software program, they are Actively Involved for the remainder of the project. 

Enjoyable Setting- This element is best portrayed by the independent nature of this project.  Students work at a pace that reduces frustration and allows them to create success for themselves with every slide.

Information Processing: 

Presearch- Students engage in Presearch when they begin to develop knowledge of the PowerPoint program.  By developing this skill, they have the basic skills necessary to continue with the remainder of the project.

Search- This is portrayed during the research section of the project.  In order to effectively create the slide show and present it with a sufficient amount of information, the students must have Searched the state and located the information for each evaluated section.

Appreciation- This is portrayed during the presentation.  As each child presents his or her project, the audience must listen attentively and with respect.  The children also acquire an Appreciation of the amount of work that was involved in each project.

Evaluation- Each child is actively involved in the Evaluation process. Initially, the children are made aware of the components of the evaluations. During the presentations, the children assist as I locate the necessary information on the slide show.

CommunicationCommunication is essential during many stages of this project.  They first portray Communication while notating information needed in the slide show.  Then this process is exhibited by creating the slide using basic word processing tools, and last they display Communication by transferring the information to the audience through the presentation.

Content Standards: 

Language Arts- Students use their reading and writing skills throughout this activity.  Reading and writing is essential during the research stage.  Writing and communicating information is essential during the creation of the slide show and the presentation.

Social Studies- This activity evolved from the study of the regions in the United States and the concept of which states are in each region.  In learning about the states, the students retain more information regarding the climates, symbols, tourist attractions, etc.

Tenets of Democracy: 

Individual Responsibility and Civil Involvement With Others- This tenet is addressed by students working cooperatively in learning and in the evaluation of peer efforts. 

Tolerance- This is portrayed when the final presentation is given and support is expected from the audience.

Critical Thinking and Decision Making- The students display this tenet by making the many decisions necessary to summarize and create the separate slides.

Student Characteristics: 
As in any research project, the amount of tenacity and drive affects student performance.  However, by giving the students the basic guidelines then allowing them to create the project within the set boundaries, I have noticed that students often become absorbed in their work.  Regardless of the characteristics of the classes, the results are always beyond my expectations.

Evolution of the Activity: 
After I was introduced to the PowerPoint program, I decided to try it in my classroom.  I first gave the students basic information and we created slide shows together.  Then, I decided to let them create their own by making slide shows about themselves (families, favorites, etc.).  When I noticed how quickly the students learned the fundamentals and how motivated they were to use the program, I incorporated it into a class project in Social Studies.  The first time we used the computer in our Social Studies project, we also made a poster with the same information.  Once I saw how complete the computer project was, I no longer required the posters.  The first time we create a project, we always work together in partners.  This allows the students to support each other in areas of strengths and weaknesses.  Subsequent projects are created individually and with much success.  

The following sheet is given to the students as a guide to familiarize them with the program: 

Power Point    Step by Step

Click on:

1.      START

2.      PROGRAMS

3.      MICROSOFT PowerPoint

4.  Choose “Blank Presentation

5.       Click on “OK

6.       Choose a Slide -- by clicking on it

7.       Click on “OK

TO TYPE WORDS:

8.         Click the section you want to type in

9.         Type your words

10.    Go to “Slide Show” (at the top) and click

11.    Click on “Custom Animation”

12.    Click on the arrow beside  “NO EFFECT”

13.    Choose the effect you want by clicking on it

14.    Click on the arrow beside  “NO SOUND”

15.    Choose a sound

16.    Click on “OK”

17.  REPEAT STEPS 8 – 16 FOR ANY OTHER SECTIONS THAT NEED TO BE

    TYPED IN.

TO ADD PICTURES:

18.    Click on the box for the picture.

19.    Go to “INSERT” (at the top of the page)—click

20.    Go down the  list to “PICTURE” and click

21.    For computer clip art---choose “CLIP ART”

For special pictures----chose “FROM FILE” (this is where you would pull up pictures from your disk).

By putting our research projects into technological form, the students are free to incorporate artwork, color, and creative lettering regardless of their own artistic ability.  It has allowed many students an opportunity to express themselves in ways they could never before.  I believe these students have gained a greater self-confidence and recognized an awareness of their own abilities. 

(Learning activity format adapted from National Educational Technology Standards for Students Connecting Curriculum & Technology (http://cnets.iste.org/students/)