Unit Plan: Science & MOODLE
Using a Classroom Management System
to Streamline Science Fair
Unit Plan
Standards Addressed:
Science:
• Scientific progress is made by asking meaningful questions and conducting careful investigations. As a basis for understanding this concept and addressing the content in the other three strands, students should develop their own questions and perform investigations.
Technology:
• Use content-specific tools, software and simulations to support learning and research.
• Collaborate with peers, experts, and others using telecommunications and collaborative tools to investigate curriculum-related problems, issues, and information, and to develop solution or products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.
• Select and use appropriate tools and technology resources to accomplish a variety of tasks and solve problems.
• Research and evaluate the accuracy, relevance, appropriateness, and bias of electronic information sources concerning real-world problems.
Grade Level: seventh grade
Subject Matter: science/technology
Expected Learning Outcomes:
• Students will be use a forum to gain help and support from peers and teachers
• Students will be able to post assignments to the online learning management system.
• Students will be able check deadlines throughout the project and get feedback on work submitted.
Materials:
• Science notebooks
• Computers
• MOODLE or other online learning management system
• Individual science project equipment (different for each student)
• Printer
• Access to the internet
Procedures:
1. Each student will chose their own scientific question to solve via research and experimentation.
2. Once each students question has been approved by the teacher students will get introduced to the MOODLE course, providing each student their unique password and ID number, and the overall expectation of the MOODLE course.
3. Each main step of science will be broken down into nine phases and then into steps within each phase. The phases include:
a. Phase 0: Getting Started
b. Phase 1: Research
c. Phase 2: Experimental Design
d. Phase 3: Testing
e. Phase 4: Data Analysis & Conclusions
f. Phase 5: Wrapping it All Up
g. Phase 6: Presenting Your Project
h. Phase 7: Science Fair Competition
4. Each phase will be outlined in MOODLE and there will be directions for each step, list of deadlines, and assignments due. This will enable students to be self-paced and self driven.
5. Each week students will be allowed to chat via MOODLE chat feature from their homes. Students can ask each other questions, get suggestions and support each other in real time from home.
6. An English, Science, and math forum will be started so students can ask experts questions and they can get help in a timely manner.
7. Students can post their work to MOODLE and feedback from teacher is delivered in a timely manner.
Assessment Tools:
• Each phase will be assessed and points will be awarded for each assignment.
• The end product and presentation will be evaluated on a one hundred point rubric
Annotated Bibliography:
The MOODLE.org website allows teachers who are utilizing this software in their classroom or digital classroom to access help when needed. Resources such as tutorials, frequently asked questions, goals and purpose of each feature and activity, and a glossary of terms are provided in an easy and manageable way to find information when needed.
Discovery is an advocate for science fair and finding ways to get children excited about science. This online resource allows teachers to access information on how to organize a unit around science fair with tricks and tips of the process. This also links to student pages that can also support students throughout the process.
Science Buddies. April 25, 2007. http://www.sciencebuddies.org
Science Buddies is a resource for both teacher and student. This resource allows teachers to understand the process of the competition along with the requirements. Teachers are provided information on the best ways to teach science fair and tool to be successful. Students are able to access project ideas, project guides and other science fair related information. They are also able to ask an expert or another teacher when stuck throughout the unit.
