Adding more Tech and a Global Perspective to the 3 Day Lesson Plan- a reflection

 

Incorporating Technology to Support a Small Group of Students

            “Today’s students live in an information age and increasingly connect and interact with diverse cultures and traditions around the world” (Dwyer, 2016). Technology can greatly help students when connecting across cultures and can help widen their global view. The three day lesson plan I created had some technology incorporated but it was missing a way to promote global awareness. I went back through my lessons and realized that I have two students in my class who have mastered the science standards K.LS1.From molecules to organisms; Structures and Processes. This presented a perfect opportunity to incorporate an awesome website that could help them gain global awareness about China while working on the lessons math standard K.MD.A-

directly compare two objects with a measurable attribute in common to see which object has more/less of the attribute and describe the difference.

            The technology added to this lesson will be a virtual field trip on the nature.org website called ‘China’s Great Forests.’ The video leads students to “understand how important all habitats are for both people and animals—no matter where you are in the world. Our journey will demonstrate how scientists work with local communities to protect nature and create new wilderness” (Wang, n.a.). It will engage the two students I am trying to support because they both are visual learners and have a large interest in nature and animals. While the students will be working on a math standard by comparing the different animals / habitats / cities they will be gaining global awareness about climate change and that it is important to help nature all over the world.

            This change in the lesson is important to note because technology can be a wonderful resource to help bring the outside world into the classroom. As it is important to stay up to date with what is available for students it is equally important to incorporate ways to expand their perspectives. Academic and social success in a global community is created through understanding, cooperation and respect when working with diverse cultural groups of people (Al-Jarf, 2022). Educators can use technology to support that understanding in students by opening the doors to new perspectives, ideas, and way of thinking. By helping students gain a respectful global perspective they are learning skills and strategies to collaborate meaningfully in our interconnected world.

References

Al-Jarf, R. (2022). Developing Students’ Global Awareness in EFL Reading and Speaking. Online Submission, 4(1), 31–38

Dwyer, B. (2016). Teaching and Learning in the Global Village: Connect, Create, Collaborate, and Communicate. Reading Teacher, 70(1), 131–136. https://doi-org.lopes.idm.oclc.org/10.1002/trtr.1500

Wang, Y. (n.a.). Virtual field trip to China’s great forests: What the giant panda and earths climate share (teachers guide). Nature lab educator resources.

The Nature Conservancy. (n.a.). China’s great forests. Nature lab educators resource. The nature conservancy. https://www.nature.org/en-us/about-us/who-we-are/how-we-work/youth-engagement/nature-lab/virtual-field-trips/

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