Online

Projects, Collaboration Sites, and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Template
Name: Heather Rockwell
Grade Level: 3rd
Content Area: Science
Standards Addressed: S3CS8.
Students will understand important features of the process of scientific inquiry.
a. Scientific investigations may take many different forms, including observing what things are like or
what is happening somewhere, collecting specimens for analysis, and doing experiments.
b. Clear and active communication is an essential part of doing science. It enables scientists to inform
others about their work, expose their ideas to criticism by other scientists, and stay informed about
scientific discoveries around the world.
c. Scientists use technology to increase their power to observe things and to measure and compare
things accurately.
d. Science involves many different kinds of work and engages men and women of all ages and
backgrounds.

Title of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: Bugscope
URL of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity:
http://bugscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/
Describe how you would Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom:

Students will have the opportunity to become microscopists themselves. The kids will propose
experiments before hand on insect specimens they will have collected and have discussed and
groups throughout the week. We then will send the specimens they used off to Bugscope and
then discuss what they see with real scientists and see their bug specimens at high
magnifications. By doing this with a real scientist and by comparing and observing the students
will reach the standard by practicing the important of scientific inquiry. Students will have a
great time and then post the information they learned on the class blog to show the parents and
friends what we are doing in class as well.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a
classroom?

A regular web browser over a standard broadband internet connection.

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:
Students will be collobrating with peers before the project to work on experiments, they then
will come a back together to a whole group and discuss and collaborate with a real scientist.
b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (collecting original data and or

producing original products as a result of engaging in the project):

Student will be allowed to go outside and find their own specimen and run their own
observations for it. They then when the class has the discussion with a scientist they will then get
to ask specific questions to the scientist about their bug.
c. Higher-order thinking: Yes, this was a LoTi level 5
d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their
product:
Yes, student can then after all of this post there findings and what they learned on a class blog to
show others what exciting information they got to learn and take part in class.

Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):
See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering Understanding Applying Analyzing Evaluating Creating
What Level of Technology Implementation best describes this learning activity and Why?

The students will be the explorers and producer because they are coming up with their own
experiment and asking their own questions based on their specimen.

How could you implement this proposed learning experience and still comply with your districts
Internet Safety and Student Privacy policies?

I would first inform my administration and the parent of every student to make them aware of
what is going on in class. I will send home a letter and all parents must send back the signed
letter if they are okay with the project if not they may contact me with any questions or concerns.
I will then make sure I go over the Internet safety policy with my students and make them aware
to only say there first name if asked and never there whole name over the live chat because
others may be watching. I will then make sure my student privacy will be %100 safe and that the
Bugscope site is safe and reliable.