Running head: SECOND ACTIVITY

Using Technology to Teach the American Revolution: Second Activity

Maureen Deming
EDU 625
Dr. Kathy Milhauser

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Using Technology to Teach the American Revolution: Second Activity

Sub-Topic and Technology
This activity addresses the subtopic of Important People of the Revolution, specifically
George Washington. Students will view a multimedia presentation about Washingtons life and
career, and craft a Google Slides presentation on the most important ideas they learned.
Studying Washington in this format also aligns with the concurrent English Language Arts unit
on biographies, giving students instruction in multiple disciplines within the same activity.
Presentation tools were selected for this topic for three reasons. Firstly, because it is a
topic of which students have limited prior knowledge. Secondly, with a web-based presentation,
students can control the pace of learning. Working memory has a very limited capacity, so
having content available to pause, rewind, and re-watch will help students retain the information
(Bailey et al., 2015). Students will have a mind map-style graphic organizer on which to take
notes, which will also aid in relieving cognitive overload. Finally, by using presentation tools
themselves, students can use multimedia, not just written text, to communicate their learning
(Frazel, 2010).
Objectives
1. Given readings, videos, images, notes in a graphic organizer, and Google Slides, fifth
grade students in Tier II literacy intervention will create a presentation of at least four
slides, including a title slide.
2. Given readings, videos, images, notes in a graphic organizer, and Google Slides, fifth
grade students in Tier II literacy intervention will create a presentation using text and
supporting images on each slide.
3. Given readings, videos, images, notes in a graphic organizer, and Google Slides, fifth
grade students in Tier II literacy intervention will create a presentation identifying
two of George Washingtons greatest accomplishments.

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4. Given readings, videos, images, notes in a graphic organizer, and Google Slides, fifth
grade students in Tier II literacy intervention will create a presentation explaining
why Americans honor and remember George Washington.
Instructions for Students
1. Watch Prezi presentation, using graphic organizer to take notes. Students may pause,
rewind, and re-watch or reread as needed.
2. In Google Drive, open a new Slides project, and give it an appropriate title. The style
of the presentation does not matter as much as the content.
3. The title slide must include your name and date. On the next three slides, use writing
and images to share learning about two of Washingtons greatest accomplishments,
and why he is honored and remembered.
4. Share the presentation with the teacher on Google Drive.
Instructions for Teacher
1. While students progress through the presentation, observe, answer questions, and
check in with students to correct any misconceptions.
2. After all students have finished, facilitate a discussion where students share their
notes. Encourage students to think about why Washingtons accomplishments are
important and why he is fondly remembered.
3. Review directions for Google Slides activity (see Instructions for Students above).
4. Observe students and help with technical difficulties. Make sure students share their
project with the teacher on Google Drive.
5. Students will share their presentations.
Example: Completed Activity
The Prezi presentation can be accessed here: http://prezi.com/phelo08_iu8r/?
utm_campaign=share&utm_medium=copy
Sample graphic organizer:

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Link to Google Slides presentation:

https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1njXL2YRKM4lfDY2CVw9XLhBmypPOccPj9aZc8sS8sk/edit?usp=sharing

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5
References

Bailey, F. & Pransky, K. (2015). Implications and applications of the latest brain research for
learners and teachers [Webinar notes]. Retrieved from
http://dmfa3ba8wpnh6.cloudfront.net/2d/5e/85b2510d4b75a4e6e90557accc4f/memoryjuly-16-2015-webinar-handout.pdf
Frazel, M. (2015). Digital storytelling guide for educators. Eugene, OR: International Society for
Technology in Education.