Incorporating Social Networking into a Global Studies Classroom
Topic: World War I
Grade/Content Area: 9th Grade Global Studies
Activity #1: Using Pinterest as a Research Tool
Overview: Students will create their own Pinterest account and contribute to the class "World War I" board. The infographics, images, posters, etc. will serve as research for their VoiceThread presentation.
Timeline: Half block (35-40 minutes)
Materials: Laptop/Desktop/Tablet with Internet access, Pinterest account
Steps:
1. Students must create their own Pinterest account if they do not already have one (see video for directions).
2. Once students have created their accounts they should share their username with the teacher so they can be added as collaborators to the class board.
3. Students should add to the class board by pinning relevant infographics, images, posters, etc. These resources will come in handy when it comes time to create their VoiceThread presentations. The teacher should review the class boards at the end of the day to make sure all pins are appropriate to and relevant.
Topic: World War I
Grade/Content Area: 9th Grade Global Studies
Activity #1: Using Pinterest as a Research Tool
Overview: Students will create their own Pinterest account and contribute to the class "World War I" board. The infographics, images, posters, etc. will serve as research for their VoiceThread presentation.
Timeline: Half block (35-40 minutes)
Materials: Laptop/Desktop/Tablet with Internet access, Pinterest account
Steps:
1. Students must create their own Pinterest account if they do not already have one (see video for directions).
2. Once students have created their accounts they should share their username with the teacher so they can be added as collaborators to the class board.
3. Students should add to the class board by pinning relevant infographics, images, posters, etc. These resources will come in handy when it comes time to create their VoiceThread presentations. The teacher should review the class boards at the end of the day to make sure all pins are appropriate to and relevant.
Activity #2: Using VoiceThread for World War I Presentations
Overview: Students will create a presentation on World War I using Google Slides. Once their presentations are complete, students will save their presentations as a PDF and upload it to VoiceThread. Students should make voice comments on each of the slides and then share their final product with the teacher.
Timeline: Timing will vary depending on proficiency with Google Slides and VoiceThread. I suggest at least two 80 minute blocks for creation of their presentation, VoiceThread comments can be assigned for homework as students will need a relatively quiet space to record their comments with any quality.
Materials: Laptop/Desktop/Tablet with Internet access, VoiceThread account
Steps:
1. Students should use Google Slides to create a presentation on World War I. Depending on their level of comfort with Google Slides you may want to do a simple overview of how to create presentations using this awesome GSuite program. Students should use information gathered from the class Pinterest board, but they may supplement with photos and information found elsewhere. Take this opportunity to discuss proper etiquette concerning usage rights for pictures found online. Guide students toward sites like FlickrCC, Pixabay, Google searches for pictures labelled for reuse, etc. Presentations should include information regarding:
- Causes of World War I
- Belligerents
- Propaganda
- "New" Technologies used in World War I
- Life in the trenches
- Famous battles
- Outcomes of the war/Treaty of Versailles
2. Obviously no two classes are alike which is why there is no rubric included with this assignment. Decide on the particular outcomes you want your students to strive for based on their ability level and/or what will be covered on your test/quiz.
3. Students must create their own VoiceThread account if they do not already have one (see video for directions).
4. Students should record "voice-overs" or video record themselves making comments on each slide.
5. Students should share their final product with the teacher. This is where things can get fun with VoiceThread...if your students use any sort of blogging website they can embed their presentation directly into their blog. Of course students can also share with a link or post to Facebook or Twitter as well.
Overview: Students will create a presentation on World War I using Google Slides. Once their presentations are complete, students will save their presentations as a PDF and upload it to VoiceThread. Students should make voice comments on each of the slides and then share their final product with the teacher.
Timeline: Timing will vary depending on proficiency with Google Slides and VoiceThread. I suggest at least two 80 minute blocks for creation of their presentation, VoiceThread comments can be assigned for homework as students will need a relatively quiet space to record their comments with any quality.
Materials: Laptop/Desktop/Tablet with Internet access, VoiceThread account
Steps:
1. Students should use Google Slides to create a presentation on World War I. Depending on their level of comfort with Google Slides you may want to do a simple overview of how to create presentations using this awesome GSuite program. Students should use information gathered from the class Pinterest board, but they may supplement with photos and information found elsewhere. Take this opportunity to discuss proper etiquette concerning usage rights for pictures found online. Guide students toward sites like FlickrCC, Pixabay, Google searches for pictures labelled for reuse, etc. Presentations should include information regarding:
- Causes of World War I
- Belligerents
- Propaganda
- "New" Technologies used in World War I
- Life in the trenches
- Famous battles
- Outcomes of the war/Treaty of Versailles
2. Obviously no two classes are alike which is why there is no rubric included with this assignment. Decide on the particular outcomes you want your students to strive for based on their ability level and/or what will be covered on your test/quiz.
3. Students must create their own VoiceThread account if they do not already have one (see video for directions).
4. Students should record "voice-overs" or video record themselves making comments on each slide.
5. Students should share their final product with the teacher. This is where things can get fun with VoiceThread...if your students use any sort of blogging website they can embed their presentation directly into their blog. Of course students can also share with a link or post to Facebook or Twitter as well.
Activity #3: Using Twitter as a peer editing/constructive feedback tool
Overview: Students will sign up for Twitter if they do not have an account already. Students will use Twitter to share their VoiceThread presentations to each other and share at least one resource about World War I.
Timeline: 80 minute block
Materials: Laptop/Desktop/Tablet with Internet access, Twitter account
Steps:
1. Students should sign up for Twitter if they do not already have an account.
2. Students should follow the teacher and each other so tweets show up on their "Twitter feed". An easy way to do this is for everyone to follow the teacher and create a list of Twitter handles for the class.
3. Students should tweet a link to their VoiceThread presentations and give constructive criticism/praise to at least two of their classmates.
4. Students should tweet at least one resource they used for their presentation that they feel is of high quality and importance.
Overview: Students will sign up for Twitter if they do not have an account already. Students will use Twitter to share their VoiceThread presentations to each other and share at least one resource about World War I.
Timeline: 80 minute block
Materials: Laptop/Desktop/Tablet with Internet access, Twitter account
Steps:
1. Students should sign up for Twitter if they do not already have an account.
2. Students should follow the teacher and each other so tweets show up on their "Twitter feed". An easy way to do this is for everyone to follow the teacher and create a list of Twitter handles for the class.
3. Students should tweet a link to their VoiceThread presentations and give constructive criticism/praise to at least two of their classmates.
4. Students should tweet at least one resource they used for their presentation that they feel is of high quality and importance.