Online Projects, Collaboration Sites, and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Template

Name: Erica Hutchings
Grade Level: 7th Grade Life Science
Content Area: Biology
Standards Addressed:
S7L1. Students will investigate the diversity of living organisms and how they can
be compared scientifically. a. Demonstrate the process for the development of a
dichotomous key. b. Classify organisms based on physical characteristics using a
dichotomous key of the six kingdom system (archaebacteria, eubacteria, protists,
fungi, plants, and animals).
S7CS1. Students will explore of the importance of curiosity, honesty, openness,
and skepticism in science and will exhibit these traits in their own efforts to
understand how the world works. a. Understand the importance ofand keep
honest, clear, and accurate records in science. b. Understand that hypotheses can
be valuable, even if they turn out not to be completely accurate.
Title of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: BugScope
URL of Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity:
http://bugscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/
Describe how you would Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity
in your classroom: As students begin to learn about microscopes and taxonomy,
they will be presented with this project. They will be shown examples of other
classroom transcripts and will be asked to think of claims related to the taxonomy
of insects (what parts will be similar/different? They will be asked to gather
different types of insects in order to compare and contrast them. Students will
have the opportunity to break into groups and discuss their and what
What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity
in a classroom? A computer with speakers and a microphone would be necessary.
It would also be a nice addition if the Computer was connected to a large
projector so that all students can see what is going on and have an opportunity to
ask questions.
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience
(note: all of them may not be addressed in the project, but most should be if you
are reaching a high LoTi Level.):
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom
and often beyond their school: There is a live feed where students will
have an opportunity to talk to the Bugscope team (through the
teacher). Students will also work in collaborative teams and use the
transcript produced to share their findings
b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (collecting original
data and or producing original products as a result of engaging in the
project): Yes, this project will be student-centered in that each group
will have the opportunity to select specimens for observation and
share their data
c. Higher-order thinking:
1

d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care

about their product: yes, students will have all transcripts, pictures,
and times posted on the Bugscope website and will have full access.
Blooms Level of Critical Thinking Required (check all that apply):
See http://epltt.coe.uga.edu/index.php?title=Bloom%27s_Taxonomy
Remembering
Understanding
Applying
Analyzing
Evaluating
Creating
What Level of Technology Implementation best describes this learning activity and
Why? This is LoTi level 5 because it is student-focused and allows students to
publish their data/pictures in a way that is relative to other interested parties.
Students will also be able to use their transcript to make a presentation for the
class, where they will discuss their claims, evidence, ideas, etc.
How could you implement this proposed learning experience and still comply with
your districts Internet Safety and Student Privacy policies? Students will never be
in direct communication with the Bugscope team, as all questions and responses
will go through the teacher. Additionally, when the data is published, there is
nothing identifying the students names. Their school appears as a data point on
a map, and once clicked, the transcripit can be accessed. Heres an example of a
transcript from a local GA school:
http://bugscope.beckman.uiuc.edu/members/2010-071/