U-High Home >> Laptop Initiative
 

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Promising Practices
 (A closer look at lessons in a technology-rich classroom)

  
More resources:
Idea guide for new teachers
Video bank of classroom samples
Submit good uses of technology in teaching

 

Math

Tessellations using patty paper, Sketchpad, Blackboard
(Carol Benson)
Accelerated Geometry students use internet research, patty paper, Geometer's Sketchpad, computer scanning, and digital submission to create and turn in a project that utilizes concepts learned in a chapter on tessellations. During class, students worked individually and in pairs to research the topic and create tilings. The activity sheet was available through Blackboard. The lesson is here.

Investigating Graphs of Polynomial Functions
(Laura Sellers; Sketchpad, OneNote, Classroom Spy, graphing calculators)
2nd year Algebra students use a variety of hands-on technology to investigate this topic. The students will graph the functions using graphing calculator and Geometer’s Sketchpad to graph polynomial functions; they will use One-Note on their tablet to write down patterns and discoveries. During class, student work will be displayed using Classroom Spy while the students present their ideas. All activity sheets, and the homework assignment will be accessed through Blackboard. You can view the lesson here.

Calculus- it's fundamental
(Dr. Kevin Thompson; tablet pc's, Geometer's Sketchpad, recorded lessons)
This AP Calculus lesson introduces students to the fundamental theorem of calculus. It is part of a two day lesson on the topic. As an introduction, students will explore the position of an object at given times when supplied with a position equation. Links will then be made to the area under the corresponding velocity curve. The generalized result is a major component of the fundamental theorem. For the complete lesson, click here.

Introducing parametric equations
(Algebra 2/Trig, Vickie Graziano; tablet pc's, Geometer's Sketchpad, Blackboard)
In this lesson, students learn about parameters through hands-on use of Geometer's Sketchpad. For the complete lesson, click here.

Trigonometry concepts at the amusement park
Take a spin around the Ferris wheel with this pre-calculus lesson from Kevin Thompson's class. Students, working in groups, use the Geometer's Sketchpad program to learn how trigonometry concepts tie into this popular ride. View the lesson here, and a video of a student project here.

-Geometry proofs using Blackboard and other technology tools in Ms. Benson's class

Foreign Language

French III travel unit
(internet travel sites, google earth, Photostory)
In Jim Potter's French III class, students are asked to use French language to plan a spring break trip to France. During the planning process, students write a letter to reserve a room in a hotel, find transportation to and from France including train transportation to the specific city, plan an itinerary, and make a Photo Story presentation to highlight the city. You can view the unit here and a sample student project here.

Using wikis to write and edit vocabulary
(wikis)
Katie Orrego's students use wikis in her Spanish IV classroom to write and edit their vocabulary definitions. Here are the tools you'll need to give it a try.
Sample Wiki
Wiki Instructions
Wiki Rubric
Writing Correction Key
Instructional Video on How to Setup Your Own Wiki.

Viva el Toro: An Experience with Spanish Culture through Reading and Summarizing
 (electronic media: summarizing with words, images, audio, video)
In teacher Kim Baxter's Spanish 3 class, students practice their reading strategies and skills in Spanish while learning about Spanish culture, including bullfights. Students summarize through a variety of electronic media options. Unit

Looking at earth's environmental issues
(using Blackboard discussion, survey tools, youtube videos, blogger.com, ComicLife)
In this unit, students look at earth's environmental issues through the eyes of Spanish-speaking countries. Teacher Kim Baxter facilitates student discussions of these issues via Blogger.com and Blackboard discussion, has students practice Spanish comprehension while watching YouTube videos on the subject, and has students illustrate their knowledge though ComiLife projects. Unit

Recording dialogues to practicing speaking and auditory skills
(using audacity for practice, collaboration and peer editing)
Students in Sarah Terry's Spanish 3 class create and record dialogue with a partner, and then listen and assess the work of other students in this unit. You can view the full lesson plan here.

Developing and sharing presentations in Blackboard
(using Blackboard, Audacity and MS Word)
Students in Jim Potter's French II class practice listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Recording allows students to reflect on their speaking abilities while Blackboard allows students to share their presentations with classmates, and also provides an opportunity for a listening and written assessment. You can view the lesson here.

 


 

 

 

 

Science

Electron arrangements in atoms
(using Blackboard, online diagrams & textbooks)
In this lesson, students work to understand the arrangement of electrons in the quantum mechanical model of the atom. This lesson uses  a variety of activities within Blackboard, along with Classroom Spy (to monitor student progress) and regular class discussion. You can view the unit here. (Janeice Ives, Chemistry)

Determining atomic structure
 (using on-line inquiry, group work and presentations)
In Janeice Ives' Chemistry classes, technology is helping students to determine atomic structure. Students first view models, then participate in both in-class and on-line discussions. Students also worked collaboratively to research and organize information. You can view the complete unit here.

Consumer Education

Buying a computer
(various internet buying sites)
Students in Dusty Burk's Consumer Education course comparison shop for hardware and software in this set of lessons.

Buying a house, mortgages
(Bankrate.com, hgtv.com, househunting sites)
Students in Dusty Burk's Consumer Education course learn to use financial websites to calculate mortgages and to search for and evaluate homes using the laptops. You can view the complete unit here.

English

Searching for Frisson – The Life and Death of Edgar Allan Poe
 (http://knowingpoe.thinkport.org, Jeopardy)
In this unit teacher Mark Adams and his class explore the life of Edgar Allan Poe and some of his most notable works including The Raven, The Cask of Amontillado, and The Fall of the House of Usher.  But first, students identify the idea of frisson and research Poe’s life and death on an interactive web site that informs both the mystery and the single effect that Poe endeavored to maintain. More

Annotating and citing sources using NoodleTools
(Amy Reiman; Noodle Tools, Lexis Nexis, CQ Researcher, Science Online)
In this cross-curricular unit, biology students research and annotate contemporary articles on an ethical dilemma that has emerged from the study of genetics. Students will use NoodleTools to complete an annotated bibliography and works cited page. The complete unit plan is here.

Using an "I-search" to do research
(in-depth on-line research; Shyla Anderson, American Literature)
In this 3 week unit, students start with the broad topics of Native Americans and Early Narratives and focus down to specific topics of interest. Students write their narrative in the first person, describing both their topic and their own research journey. The complete unit is here.

Sophomore writing tackles college admission process
Students in Shyla Anderson's laptop class used technology to read & discuss college apps, admission essays and school websites in this unit. The complete lesson plan is here.

The Evergreen Cemetery Unit
(using wikis, digital images and peer editing for collaboration)
Having technology readily available serves as a powerful tool for student collaboration, as evidenced in this unit from Dianne Walker's AP English Language course. Students first participate in the Evergreen Cemetary walk where they hear dramatic, biographical monologues. They then use the internet for research, take digital images, compose and peer-edit poetry, and participate in a collaborative wiki as part of the learning unit. You can view the complete unit here.

The Legacy Project
(using web pages and podcasts to bring Arthurian Legend into the 21st century)
Kathy Clesson's English Composition and Literature Class students first select a book and two chapters to read (from the twenty-one book collection of tales compiled by Sir Thomas Mallory in Morte d’Arthur), then work to comprehend, interpret, and bring to life those chapters via an old-style radio performance using audacity. These mp3 files are then added to a class-created website. You can view the complete unit here.

 

 
 

Social Science

An in-depth look at a Civil War aspect of your choice
(Noodletools, primary & secondary sources, PowerPoint)
 Students in Kate Pole's U.S. Studies course choose a specific area of interest- Civil War people, strategy, battles, medicine, etc...- and use primary and secondary resources to shape their presentation. The complete lesson is here.

Understanding human rights using authentic activities and outcome-based assessments
(Research, primary sources, PowerPoint)
 Students in Jim Kelly's International Relations course use the laptops to research, collect data, assemble media and produce an advertisement calling for human rights reform. The lesson is here. Samples of student projects:  A  B

Connecting Mental Set and Perception
(Intro to Psychology, Jean Gorski)
 Students use the laptops to experience a variety of illusions first-hand; they're then able to apply the concept of the lesson to their own experience, making a valuable connection between psychological theory and practice. The lesson is here.

Teaching Research and Writing through Graphic Texts
(U.S. History, Andy Davis)
In this unit students will work in groups to research and write a graphic novel set during the American Civil War. Using online resources and working under the premise that a story plot can be a metaphor for a thesis statement, students will create a historically possible story based on their understanding of the period. You can view the unit here.

Teaching students to think like historians
(using primary sources on the internet)
...is a key part of Jim Kelly's U.S. Studies lesson plan. Students were able to use the internet in class to corroborate primary sources- paintings, pictures, music, newsreel & movie clips- as part of that learning process. You can view the unit here.

Studying "memory" with on-line experiments
(using on-line activities)
Join Jean Gorski's Psychology class as they participate in a series of on-line experiments that look at factors which limit memory and ways to combat forgetfulness. Because of the laptops, students are able to individually go through the experiments. The complete lesson is here.

Learning through news videos, eyewitness accounts
(using google earth, audio/video resources)
Students in Ms. Lehnen's U.S. Studies class were able to compare and contrast the events of Pearl Harbor and September 11- including a comparison of media accounts, individual reactions, and geographical features. Take a look at the complete lesson here.

Developing documentaries with Photostory
Students in Bob Fitzgerald's AP U.S. History class use Photostory to develop documentaries for class. The lesson includes teaching students to look at copyright issues and gather text and media resources. View the lesson plan or a sample student project.

The Great Depression and Dust Bowl Blues
(primary sources)
Students in Andy Davis' U.S. Studies class look at the Dust Bowl era via historical documents, photographs, film and music. Students are challenged to create texts of their own in small groups and to compose a creative musical writing. View the unit here.