Endangered Species

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Endangered Species
A Multimedia Encyclopedia Exploration
Activity Lesson Plan
Pat Sarvis
GSL 520
Computer Assisted Language Learning
Summer 2002
2
Class Description
8 to 10 middle school students, 12 to 13 years old
Several different language backgrounds (Korean,
Thai, Chinese, and Portuguese)


Intermediate to upper intermediate level
Previous computer work includes
1) Word processing
2) Basic
research using the internet
3) Some exploration time on Encarta 97
Multimedia Encyclopedia
Recent class work includes
1) Using adjectives to improve
descriptive writing 2) Students generating
questions to direct research 3) Collaborative
writing
Class needs or goals
1) Improve
research skills both on the internet and with
multimedia encyclopedia

2) Note taking from source materials
3) Summarizing

4) Writing descriptively and
persuasively
3
Computer Needs
Computer with headphones for each pair of students
Microsoft Encarta 97 Multimedia Encyclopedia
MS Word and Power Point
LCD Projector
Internet access
Printer
Other Classroom Materials
Paper and pencils
Whiteboard and markers
Giant Panda
4
Language Objectives
Generate research questions
Take notes from source materials
Summarize and synthesize information
Write descriptively and persuasively
Computer Objectives
Parrot Snake
Utilize softwares multimedia capabilities to aid
in comprehension
Research information using Encarta 97 and
internet (optional)
Use power point to present persuasive argument
based on research
Social Objectives
Develop negotiation and decision making skills
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Project Overview
This Endangered Species project will span 2 to 3
weeks of 40 minute daily classes, with some
possible out-of-class time as well. In pairs,
students will choose an endangered animal,
research its situation, and then become an
advocate for its survival. Students will spend
the majority of their time exploring and then
researching using Encarta 97 (and any internet
links that it may lead them to), writing
descriptions of their chosen animal, and
preparing a convincing argument using power point
to present their findings to a grant committee,
consisting of their peers. Interspersed
throughout will be several teacher or student
directed mini-lessons at the point in the project
where those particular skills will be needed.
Project based on
Boswood, Tim. New Ways of Using Computers in
Language Teaching. Using a Multimedia
Encyclopedia as Fuel for Descriptive Writing,
p.224-228 Microsoft Encarta 97 Encyclopedia,
Teachers Activity Guide, p.2-5
Poison Dart Frog
6
Pre-Computer Activities
Class discussion on the topic of endangered
species in our world
Vocabulary in context endangered, extinct,
survive, habitat, grant
Students share about animals in trouble in their
own countries and what is being done to save them
Is this issue important and how does it involve
us?
Presentation of project
Present basics of project as outlined on previous
slide
Generate research questions
Discuss what a Grant Committee does and what
information they might be interested in
Brainstorm questions (For example What are the
characteristics of this animal? Where in the
world does it live? Why is it in trouble? Why is
it worth saving? What can we do to help it
survive?)
Group students consider native language
(separate), computer and language skills
(heterogeneous)
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Follow Up Activities
Students could create an advertisement to
encourage people to support the efforts to save
their chosen animal. They could research
different forms of advertisement (internet,
magazine, brochures, etc.) and decide on the best
platform for their message and their intended
audience.
Similar projects to this Endangered Species
project could be developed on different themes
within the Collages or Guided Tours of Encarta 97
Encyclopedia. Some topics of interest might be
Explorers, World Cultures or Hidden Treasures.
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Potential Problems
There may be difficulty scheduling sufficient
time in the computer lab.
Some of the articles may be difficult for the
students to comprehend.
The computer network or some part of it may not
work properly.
Some student pairs may find it difficult to work
together.
The Power Point tutorial, although designed with
younger people in mind, may be difficult for them
to follow.
There may be a lack of interest either in the
topic or in computers resulting in a lack of
motivation for some students.
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Evaluation of Student Learning
Ongoing observation of student participation in
the group work. (Is each student fully
participating or is one allowing the other to do
most of the work?)
Ongoing observation of work in progress, such as
the descriptive writing, or the planning and
producing of the power point presentation.
Final teacher evaluation of the effectiveness and
clarity of the presentation and strength of
support for the argument.
The Grant Committee, consisting of the students
peers, will vote on whether or not the team has
presented a convincing argument and is deserving
of their support.