Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: classifying insects

Content Area: science
Grade Level(s): kindergarten
Content Standard Addressed: SKL2. Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to compare the
similarities and differences in groups of organisms. a. Construct an argument supported by evidence for how
animals can be grouped according to their features.

Technology Standard Addressed:

ISTE 3. Knowledge Constructor Students critically curate a variety of resources using digital tools to construct
knowledge, produce creative artifacts and make meaningful learning experiences for themselves and others.
ISTE 7. Global Collaborator Students use digital tools to broaden their perspectives and enrich their learning
by collaborating with others and working effectively in teams locally and globally.
Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity:
Bug scope
URL(s) to support the lesson:
http://bugscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/
Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom (Minimum 2 paragraph overview):
The lesson would begin by going over some of the academic vocabulary. Then the teacher would lead a
discussion about characteristics of organism and common classifications. Next the class would practice
classifying animals. At this point the Bug scope project will be introduced to the students. Students will be
given time (multiple days) to collect insects to send to the scientist. Before doing the video session, students
will do some research on the insects they have gathered and write down any questions or experiment ideas
they have.
On the day the of the session students will be given a graphic organizer to help them keep track of the data
they collect. Then the students will have their session where they can view the bugs under the microscope
and ask the scientist questions. After the session the students will be separated into groups to discuss the
classification of the insects. Next, the class will gather as a whole group to share commentary from the group
discussions. Lastly, any remaining questions or reflections will be shared and addressed.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
A computer would be needed. It would also be preferable to have a smart board or some way for the
students to have an easier view during the video conference.
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may not be
addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level).
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond their
school: The students will be collaborating with scientist at the University of Illinois Beckman
Institute. These Scientist will serve as mentors to the students. Moreover, the students will be
collaborating with each other to select insect specimen and come up with questions or
experiments to suggest to the scientist.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project): The students will select the insects they wish to view
and therefore the data they collect will be determined by the insects they select and the questions
they ask.

c. Higher-order thinking:

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 Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities
The students will need to analyze the insects, classify the insects, and develop an argument to
support their choice of classification.
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product: Not
applicable

Blooms Taxonomy Level(s):

Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level):

Level 1: Awareness Level 2: Exploration Level 3: Infusion Level 4: Integration
Level 5: Expansion Level 6: Refinement

Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies:

I would start by alerting my administrators and parents about the project and its potential benefits to my
students. In addition, all communication between the students and scientist will be monitored by myself. I
would also consider the legitimacy of the scientist and their qualifications. Lastly, the absolute minimum of
students personal information will be shared.

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