Active Learning: Entry Level

(9-12 Lesson)

Secrets of Desert Plants
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Grade Level
9-12
Classroom Configuration
  • Whole group instruction, using a computer or an iTouch and iTunesU
Arizona State Content Standards
  • Science
    • Strand 4: Life Science
      • Concept 5: Matter, Energy, and Organization in Living Systems (Including Human Systems)
        • PO 1: Compare the processes of photosynthesis and cellular respiration in terms of energy flow, reactants, and products.
        • PO 2: Describe the role of organic and inorganic chemicals (e.g., carbohydrates, proteins, lipids, nucleic acids, water, ATP) important to living things.
        • PO 3: Diagram the following bio-geochemical cycles in an ecosystem: water, carbon, nitrogen.
        • PO 4: Diagram the energy flow in an ecosystem through a food chain.
        • PO 5: Describe the levels of organization of living things from cells, through tissues, organs, organ systems, organisms, populations, and communities to ecosystems.
Arizona Educational Technology Standards (2009)
  • Strand 3: Research and Information Literacy
    • Concept 2: Processing
      • PO 2: Defend the authority of primary and/or secondary sources used in research
      • PO 3: Evaluate information identifying facts, opinions, bias, inaccurate and misleading information by analyzing multiple sources
Objectives
  • Students will listen to podcast and analyze the accuracy of the facts stated within.
Procedure

(This could be used as an anticipatory set or as a mid-unit check for understanding.)

  1. Students listen to this podcast as a whole group, taking notes on main topics, and listening for accuracy, using either an iPod with speakers, or iTunes U on a computer with speakers.
  2. After podcast, teacher fosters discussion around content-related topics, to verify or defend claims of the podcast participants, based on past instruction or prior knowledge.
Materials
  • Computer or iTouch/handheld with Internet access
  • iTunesU podcast: Ask a Biologist: Secrets of Desert Plants + Transcript
  • Speakers
  • Paper for note-taking/pencil or pen
Assessment
  • The teacher may use anecdotal assessment techniques during discussion, checking for understanding, and a ticket out (5 question quiz) to check for understanding of main concepts raised in the podcast. Using the Script of the podcast, students can find 5 facts within the script, and 5 opinions, highlighting them in different colors (facts in yellow, opinions in orange).
TIM - Active: Entry
Northern Arizona University