Final Project Ideas

For my final project I would like to implement students to using Youtube, prezi, as well as google drive. My grade level will be in the 9^th grade, so students should have a strong foundation in using web 2.0 sites. I want to make my lesson fully interactive science lesson in which students will learn the different elements each planet consists of, as well as the different types of stars and scales of luminosity.  This is Prezi will be very ideal to use because it has the ability to zoom in and zoom out of different areas of a presentation. YouTube will be necessary so the student can add clips and do a voice over of the information he has found that can be relevant for his assignment.  I found that when using web 2.0 tools correctly, students are able to learn more and their level of engagement increases. However, when used incorrectly the student tends to not do the assignments correctly, and if it is a group activity the work will not be distributed equally. Just because I will use youtube, pezi, and google forms, does not mean my work, as a teacher will be minimized. I will still be present in the lectures, as well as ask questions to the students in order to understand how far they are in the assignment.  I will integrate the groups together at the end of the class in a discussion, to see how they are doing as a group. I will also have the groups ask each other questions to see if they are able to see things from a different perspective, depending on the problem I assign them regarding a planet.  I know astronomy is a very interesting subject, but I want them to be able to understand how to work together and ensure they do not zone away from the lesson.