Technology ISTE Classroom

Scenario for Ages 7-10 

-Understanding the Importance of Animals to our Environment, and the Impact it Will Have When it Comes to Extinction. 

-Third grade students design tools and create solutions to the ongoing problem of bees becoming extinct. 

Age Level: 7 to 10 Years of Age

Content Area: Science, Language Arts

Learning Environment: Makerspace Classroom, Outdoors, Classroom 

Technology: Laptops, tablets, and camera (smartphone or digital; photography and videography)

When a recent news story broke out about the bees becoming extinct, the third grade students became concerned because they did not understand why the bees were becoming extinct, and what would happen if they did. The teacher took this opportunity to implement project/problem based learning in the classroom for the following science unit. Students personalized their findings into a digital form where they shared with their class, as well as learning from real life exposure. 

Students began by self-selecting a partner that they choose to work with for this project. The partners gathered together and the unit started with research on what bees are, how they help our environment, what would occur if they went into extinction, and what we can do as a classroom and community to help prevent this. Partners researched and brainstormed ideas as to how they want to go about this project. They had all the options that were available to them in the makerspace classroom, mainstream classroom, technology, and outdoors. (For example a pair that's more artistic could draw out their findings, where a pair that's more visual can create a video of their findings). The teacher scheduled a day for the students to travel out to the bee farm near by (or you can get an expert on bees to come into the classroom). Here they will get real world exposure and understand it from someone who is well knowledged on what they do. 

Once students found their research and compiled it in whichever way they saw fit, presentations and sharing with the rest of the classroom occurred. This opened up doors for students to show what they know, as well as get feedback from their peers. In reflecting on the experiences, the instructor identified a few modifications which she will take into consideration the following year, as well as continue to stay current with the research that goes into improving student learning. 

ISTE Standards Teacher 

Standard 1a: Learner

Standard 1b: Learner

Standard 1c: Learner

Standard 2b: Leader

Standard 4b: Collaborator 

Standard 4c: Collaborator 

Standard 5a: Designer

Standard 5b: Designer

Standard 6a: Facilitator 

Standard 6c: Facilitator 

Standard 7a: Analyst

ISTE Standards Learner 

1a. Empowered Learner

2b. Digital Citizen 

3a. Knowledge Constructor

3c. Knowledge Constructor

3d. Knowledge Constructor

4a. Innovative Designer 

6a. Creative Communicator 

6b. Creative Communicator 

6d. Creative Communicator 

7b. Global Collaborator 

7d. Global Collaborator