The American Dream '''myth or reality

1
The American Dream...myth or reality?

• American Studies
• West Valley High School
• Ron Zimmerman
• U.S. History Instructor

2
My Expectations

• My expectations for CTAP 295
• increase my computer technology skills
• HTML, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, Presentations
  software and skills
• integrate a variety of media into a learning unit
• work with colleagues to develop and implement an
  integrated thematic unit

3
Actual Learning Results

• In CTAP 295, I learned
• more advanced HTML, additional skills and
  shortcuts in Word, Excel and PowerPoint
• the value of preparing resources ahead and
  planning for computer hardware, software, and
  Internet failures
• working with colleagues on an integrated unit
  takes ample planning time and reflection time to
  work out the bugs

4
Implementation successes and shortcomings

• Lesson successes
• Student interest was very high at the beginning
  of the lesson
• Students liked not starting out a History class
  in the traditional manor
• Teacher enthusiasms was very high

5
Shortcomings

• Initial planning was adequate but more planning
  was needed for the end of the unit.
• Student equipment was not working properly or not
  setup yet, which worked against the project.
• Students failed to follow directions and as a
  result missed some of the units objectives.

6
Student Data
7
Student Data

• On average student performance went down from the
  initial American Dream quiz to the American Dream
  project. The class average dropped from 88 to
  82 from the quiz to the project.
• One reason student performance might have gone
  down was because the quiz was an individual
  effort and the project was a cooperative effort.
• In addition, the project was far more involved
  and several students had major technical
  difficulties in completing their projects

8
Reflections and revisions

• Overall the American Dream project was a success,
  but major revisions should be made for future
  use.
• The most important revision would be to make sure
  that all students have easy access to the
  necessary equipment to complete the assignment
  within the guidelines.
• Project expectations and outcomes need to be more
  clearly stated and reinforced during the unit.

9
In conclusion...

• The unit was a success in teaching the students
  how to use PowerPoint, the Internet, and other
  audio/video programs.
• Teacher preparation and having the necessary
  equipment on hand and working is a requirement
  for successful use of computer technology.