Introduction:

This lesson was developed as part of a group class assignment for EDCI 385--Computers for Teachers...

We have designed a lesson for grades 5-7.  It is a social studies lesson that requires the students to research different cities and regions in Ireland.  We have asked that the students keep a "traveling journal" of their experiences while traveling.  It is a group project where each small group will become "experts" on a different city or region and teach the rest of the class through a group presentation.

Content Area and Grade Level:

This lesson is designed for students in grades 5-7.  It involves social studies, geography, and language skills.  We have said grades 5-7 because this lesson can be made more complex for higher grades or more simple depending on your purpose.

NTeQ Lesson Plan Criteria:

Objectives:
We are asking the students to research a city or region of Ireland in small groups and keep a journal telling of their "experiences".  The students will also teach the rest of class what they've learned about their assigned city or region.

Matching Objectives to Computer Functions:
We have designed a Webquest that details the assignment with links to other resources on the Internet.

The Problem or Issue:
This lesson will allow the students to research and investigate another country and keep a travel journal based on all of the different aspects of the country.  The students will be able to experience different cultures and see how they are different from their own cultures.
Resources

Information Manipulation:
Integration Strategies - The students will display their learning through a learning journal.  Throughout their journey through their city they will be keeping a journal based on the interesting information that they find.
Travel Journal

Results:
The students will give a group presentation of their assigned city or region.  Essentially they will be teaching their peers what they learned while on their journeys.

Activities While Using the Computer:
The students will work in groups at their computer.  They will be introduced to the topic and then have directions from there to continue.  Each group will be assigned to a specific city or region of Ireland.  The groups will be given many different links in order to find information on their city or region.  After the groups have researched their city or region, each person will individually complete a learning journal based on their journey.

Activities Prior to Using the Computer:
Before students begin the journey, the teacher will give a brief overview of Ireland.  He/she will explain to the class how Ireland is composed of many different regions and cities all which have their own unique characteristics.  The teacher can further explain this to the students by  giving examples of how cultures and other aspects vary within the states in America.  Basically the students will be involved in a lecture/discussion where they will learn how countries can be culturally diverse.
Teachers may need to do a little prior research to find some examples of cultural diversity.  The webquest is pretty self-explanatory making it easy for a novice teacher to implement into the classroom.

Activities After Using the Computer:
Each group will meet together and share their individual journals and collaborate their ideas.  Using these ideas, each group will give a presentation to the class.  After all of the group presentations, the entire class will be educated in many different aspects of Ireland and understand how it is culturally diverse.

Support Activities:
This webquest could fit into a unit about Ireland.  It helps the students become familiar with the country.  For music the students could compare and contrast our music with the music in Ireland.  Also, for art, the students could make pictures that represent an aspect of Ireland.  For science, students could learn about the important scientists and the technology in Ireland.  The possibilities are endless.

Conclusion:
This lesson is very worthy for many reasons.  One important reason is that it teaches students about another country and its culture.  Another reason is that it gives students experience interacting with the computer and the Internet.  It provides experience in cooperative learning and it encourages students to learn from their peers.

Click here to see the Student Webquest.