Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

Bonita Williams Rita Mitchell Paulina Kuforiji Illinois State UniversityColumbus State University Normal, IllinoisColumbus, Georgia

http://racc.colstate.edu/

IntroductionGeorgia Performance StandardsStructure of Thematic UnitsTechnology and High Level Thinking Skills

Twenty-first Century Instructional ToolsOverview of “It Takes A Village Thematic Units”Questions and Answers

Table of Contents

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IntroductionWho am I as a teacher?Who am I as a learner?

Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

http://racc.colstate.edu/

1956

50 Years of Progress

2006

Dr. Kildare

2006 Medical Doctor

1956

50 Years of Progress

2006

Perry Mason 2006 Lawyers

1956

50 Years of Progress

2006

Business Tycoon2006 Business Tycoon

1956

50 Years of Progress

2006

A Teacher in the 50s A Teacher in year 2006

Are we preparing them for this age,

50 Years of Progress

…or for 2006 and beyond?

Georgia Performance StandardsStudent Learning FocusProcess as well as Product AssessmentMore In-depth consideration of contentLess Repetition Inter-related Units of Study

Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

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Structure of Thematic UnitsStandardsStudent Interest and EngagementVariety of Instructional Methods and MaterialsFlexibility and accommodations to

include all studentsClearly Identify Assessment Goals Student assessment and reflection

Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

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Technology and High Level Thinking Skills

Reflective and reasonable thinking that is focused on deciding what to believe or do (Robert Ennis, quoted in Presseisen, p. 24)

The process of determining the authenticity, accuracy and worth of information or knowledge claims (Beyer 1985, p. 276).

Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

Technology and High Level Thinking SkillsHigher Level Thinking Skills

• Use technology to solve complex problems alone or collaboratively

• Develop challenging, creative, and innovative projects

• Evaluate validity of informationInspiration to create multimedia presentations, diagrams, charts, books, and concept maps to present their research, thinking, and their understanding of new concepts. Use technology resources (e.g., puzzles, logical thinking programs

Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

http://www.alice.org

Overview of “It Takes A Village Thematic Units”This African proverb has been quoted often by politicians and educators to express the inclusive and expansive role of different stakeholders in the education of children and youth.  Far less often, however, are other values and beliefs of African people quoted or studied in mainstream American education.  This curriculum project examines a series of events in American and African history that reflect values and beliefs about personal and corporate freedom, collaborative work, and inter-racial relationships.  Africa and individuals claiming them as property. 

Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

Grade 1: Amistad Heroes

Grade 3/4: Our Democratic Heritage: Values and  Beliefs About Freedom

Grade 7:  World Cultures: Africa- The Mende of Sierra Leone

Each of the three modules contains:An instructional alignment with the Georgia Performance Standards (GPS)

Background resources for teachers that can be adapted for student use

Student learning and assessment activities

Overview of “It Takes A Village” Thematic Units

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Grade 1: Amistad HeroesStudents will:

Read about and describe the life of American historical figures (SS1H1);

Describe the cultural and geographic systems associated with historical figures (SS1G1);

Us a variety of strategies to understand and gain meaning from grade level texts (ELA1R6);

Begin to demonstrate competency in writing process (ELA1W1);

Use oral and visual strategies to communicate (ELA1LSV1)

Overview of “It Takes A Village” Thematic Units

http://racc.colstate.edu/

Grade 3/4: Our Democratic Heritage: Values

and  Beliefs About FreedomStudents will:

Use research and technology to support writing (ELA4W3)

Read and comprehend texts from a variety of genres (ELA4R1)

Communicate effectively with different audiences (ELA4LSV 1 and 2)

Discuss lives of Americans who expanded people’s rights and freedom in a democracy (SS3H2)

Explain the challenges of the abolitionists movement (SS4H7)

Overview of “It Takes A Village” Thematic Units

http://racc.colstate.edu/

Grade 7:  World Cultures: Africa-

The Mende of Sierra LeoneStudents will:

Use research and technology to support writing (ELA7W3)

Consistently use writing process to develop, revise, and evaluate writing (ELA 7W4)

Demonstrate understanding and control of the rules of English language     (ELA 7C1)

Participate in student-teacher, student-student, and group verbal interaction (ELA7LSV1)

Establishes a context for information acquired by reading across subject areas (ELA7RC4)

Overview of “It Takes A Village” Thematic Units

http://racc.colstate.edu/

Grade 7:  World Cultures: Africa-

The Mende of Sierra Leone (cont’d)

Students will:Explain reasons for African Independence Movement (SS7H2)

Describe and locate physical and human characteristics of Africa (SS7G1)

Explain the impact of location, climate, physical characteristics, natural resources, and population size of African countries

Overview of “It Takes A Village” Thematic Units

http://racc.colstate.edu/

Questions and Answers

Developing Technology-Infused Interdisciplinary Thematic Units

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http://www.nwrel.org/scpd/sirs/6/cu11.html

References