Researching on the Internet

Teacher Name(s): Ms. Hoff
Date: Fall 2004
Grade level(s): 5-6
Content Areas: Science, Social Studies, English Language Arts, Educational Technology
Description/Abstract: Research sites on the Internet and keyword search
Timeline: 1-2 class periods

Objectives:

TSWBAT
  1. research viable Internet sites for information.
  2. utilize the "Find" feature of Internet Explorer.
  3. practice computing skills: find, copy, paste, multitask, minimize applications.
  4. access the school server: save files, open files.

Links to Curriculum Standards:

K-12 Educational Technology Standards:

  1. Technology Problem-Solving and Decision-Making Tools (Problem Solving Foundation Skill)
    • Students use appropriate technology resources for solving problems and making informed decisions.
    • Students employ technology for real world problem solving.
    • Students evaluate the technology selected, the process, and the final results through the use of informed decision-making skills.
  2. Technology Productivity Tools (Resource Access and Utilization Foundation Skill)
    • Students use technology tools to enhance learning, increase productivity, and promote creativity.
  3. Technology Research Tools (Linking and Generating Knowledge Foundation Skill)
    • Students use appropriate technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of sources.
    • Students use technology tools to process data and report results.
    • Students evaluate and select new information resources and technological innovations based on the appropriateness to specific tasks.
  4. Socail, Ethical, and Human Issues (Citizenship Foundation Skill)
    • Students practice responsible use of technology systems, information, and software.
    • Students develop positive attitudes toward technology uses that support lifelong learning, collaboration, personal pursuits, and productivity.
  5. Basic Operations and Concepts
    • Students are proficient in the use of technology.

Guiding Questions / Ideas:

  1. Ask students to name some references.
  2. When researching on the Internet, where do students begin their search?
  3. Are the sites that students use for research both viable and appropriate for them?

Assessment:

  1. For advanced students who use a template provided for this lesson, students must have saved a template to their folder on the server and given it a new name.
  2. Students' use of the "Find" shortcut (ctrl+F).
  3. Students' use of the "Copy" shortcut (ctrl+C).
  4. Students' use of the "Paste" shortcut (ctrl+V).
  5. Students answer each question.
  6. Name is included on finished product.

Learning Connections:

  • The lesson will be of interest to students because it will help to find information quickly.
  • Prior learning will focus on knowledge of which reference is appropriate to answer questions. For example, students must know that definitions can be found in a dictionary.
  • Curricular connections regarding educational technology will focus on computer skills such as using keyboard keys "control" + "F" to find information on a website, copying ("control" + "C") and pasting ("control" + "V") text and pictures, accessing the server, and utilizing more than one program at a time (multitasking).
  • Curricular connections regarding science content will focus on defining and identifying a facial feature (the philtrum) and the table of elements.
  • Curricular connections regarding english language arts content will focus on the historical figures of Geronimo, Martin Luther King, and Benjamin Franklin.

Learning Activites or Tasks:

  • Students will read about historical figures of Geronimo, Martin Luther King, and Benjamin Franklin.
  • Students will create an answer sheet in MS Word where they will record their answers.
  • Students will use the hot keys to copy (ctrl+C) and paste (ctrl+V) pictures & text onto their answer sheet.
  • Students will use the hot keys (ctrl+F) to find information quickly from websites.

Teaching Strategies:

The teacher will guide the lesson utilizing the demonstration computer in front of the class in the following order:

  1. Students will be instructed to double click on Computer Lab Icon (Internet Explorer) on the desktop to open it.
  2. Students will be instructed to Scroll to bottom of the page and click on the Computer Lab Lessons link.
  3. Students will be instructed to look for the topic of "Research on the Internet: Indexes, Site Maps, Link Pages" and a volunteer will be picked to read the introduction from the table.
  4. Next, students will click on the "hot keys" link and a volunteer will read the definition which pops up.
  5. Students will be told to press the F1 key to open the Help feature in Internet Explorer and asked if this works in other applications as well (yes, F1 opens help for most all applications such as Word, Excel, etc.).
  6. Students will be instructed to close the definition pop-up and told to click on the "Research I" link to get directions and links needed for the lesson.
  7. Students will be instructed to minimize Internet Explorer to get back to the desktop.
  8. The teacher will instruct the students to open the program, MS Word.
  9. Students will be instructed to write their name at the top of the document and informed that this is their answer sheet.
  10. While students are creating their answer sheet, handouts will be passed out.
  11. The teacher will demonstrate how to find the 1st few answers using the "find" feature, then copy and paste the answers to their answer sheet.
  12. The teacher will ask if the students know any other way to copy and paste:
    1. right click & choose copy/paste
    2. from the menu "Edit", then "Copy/Paste"
    3. control + C to copy, control + v to paste
  13. Next the students will be asked what the difference is between copying text and pictures (the only difference is that text needs to be highlighted first).

Management:

  1. Students will work individually.
  2. Before demonstrating the lesson step by step, students who wish to forge ahead will be given the opportunity to work at their own pace as soon as the following instruction is given:
    1. The location of the links for the lesson
    2. How to find, copy, and paste text and pictures
  3. Students who need extra attention or who won't stay on task will be moved up front by the teacher workstation for more immediate attention.
  4. The teacher will repeat each step of the demonstration as needed.

Materials and Resources:

  1. Internet connection
  2. Internet Browser such as Internet Explorer or Netscape
  3. MS Word
  4. TMS Computer Lab webpage of research: http://home.ripway.com/2004-4/105732/cl_labLessonResearch1.html
  5. Kidspace: http://www.ipl.org/kidspace/browse/ref0000
  6. FactMonster.com: http://www.factmonster.com/sitemap.html
  7. From Revolution to Reconstruction: http://odur.let.rug.nl/~usa/D/index.htm
  8. ALA's Great Web Sites for Kids: http://www.ala.org/gwstemplate.cfm?section=greatwebsites&template=/cfapps/gws/default.cfm
  9. TMS Computer Lab website icon on each desktop for easy access
  10. Demonstration computer

Lesson Evaluation and Teacher Reflection:

Questions:
Was this lesson worth doing?
In what ways was this lesson effective?
What evidence do you have for your conclusion?
How would you change this lesson for teaching it again?
What did you observe your students doing and learning?
Did your students find the lesson meaningful and worth completing?