How the Earth has changed over time and why???

EVALUATION MATRIX

Who should this digital teaching resource be used with? (ie year/grade)

Which subject or learning area would it be most appropriate to use in?

This teaching resource is series of guided lessons for year six Science students studying how “sudden geological changes and extreme weather events can affect Earth’s surface” (ACSSU096) (Australian Curriculum and Reporting Authority [ACARA], 2015). It is a cross-curriculum approach integrating the Technologies stream of the Australian Curriculum (ACARA, 2015), relevant for content descriptors (ACTDIP016) and (ACTDIP022).

Web link:

Click here: How Earth has changed over time and why???

How should it be used?

Group work amongst students will promote collaboration by using a social constructivist approach (Howell, 2012) and blended learning, incorporating technology. It should be used as a progression of four lessons ending with an end assessment goal of a group-designed infograph. The teacher will play the role of co-collaborator, guiding class and group discussions and ensuring student’s remain on-task with what is required. It is designed for use on an interactive whiteboard [IWB] or iPad.

Identify the strengths of this teaching resource:

The creative and interactive digital design will appeal to the digitally expectant students of today (Howell, 2012). Integrating independent, group and whole class collaboration, the resource is engaging due its variety. By incorporating technology, the resource will assist in developing students digital fluency.

Identify any weaknesses of this teaching resource:

Lesson lengths are quite long, potentially affecting the level of engagement of students and its practicality. In particular, the video in lesson two could have been shorter as it leaves little room for class discussion. The resources reliance on accessibility to digital devices could make it unsuitable for schools who are not technologically equipped.

Explain any ideas you may have for further use of this teaching resource

This teaching resource would be ideal as a lead in for the learning areas of biological sciences (ACSSU094) and the nature and development of science (ACSHE098) (ACARA, 2015).

References

Australian Curriculum and Assessment Reporting Authority [ACARA]. (2015). v8.1 Foundation to Year 10 Curriculum: Technologies. Retrieved from http://www.australiancurriculum.edu.au/technologies/

Howell, J. (2012). Teaching with ICT: Digital pedagogies for collaboration & creativity. South Melbourne, Victoria: Oxford University Press