Kristen Chaffins

Day 2: Green Bank Observatory and Telescope & Arecibo Telescope

I. Analyze the learners: This lesson is designed for 9th grade honors students in a

West Virginia High School ranging from ages 14 to 16. There will be roughly twenty

students in the class and the female students will slightly outnumber the male

students. The students will largely be Caucasian, with only two students being

African American. Most of the students identify as spatial, kinesthetic, and

interpersonal learners. They learn best by using visual aids, hands on activities, and

group work. Previous learning competencies of the students include some entry level

knowledge of basic astronomy and the structure of the Milky Way Galaxy. The

students will also have basic math skills needed to analyze the data. The students

are also able to use a computer efficiently and have an understanding of how to use

the internet in order to research topics and analyze data.

II. State Objectives: Students will construct a magazine article discussing topics

involving the Green Bank observatory using a WebQuest designed specifically for

this class. Students will also be able to discuss the Green Bank telescope and

Arecibo Observatory in their reflection on Twitter at the end of the day with 100%

accuracy.

III. Select methods, media, and materials: The students encompass many

different learning styles, therefore I will incorporate different materials to my lesson.

Voki: I have created a Voki in order to enhance the experience of a bell

ringer. The Voki will ask the students their bell ringer which they will then

answer in their bell ringer notebook.

Twitter: After every class, students will be expected to write a short

reflection about what they thought of the lesson that day. I have created a

class Twitter account that will be used. This will allow the students

somewhere to give their feedback on a forum they use on an everyday basis.

WebQuest: The WebQuest designed will allow the students to delve deeper

into their understanding of the Green Bank Observatory. This will also allow

me a chance to see if the students are processing the information given to

them and therefore they can be evaluated. The WebQuest will also allow the

students to look up information on their own, which will enhance their leaning

experience. This will create an interactive classroom that I will be able to

facilitate.

Facebook: I will also have each of the students post their article from the

WebQuest to the classes Facebook page. This will allow the students to read

each other’s work and communicate with each other. This will create a

discussion between the students in the class.

IV. Utilize Media and Materials: Prior to the start of the lesson I will make sure that

the Voki is able to be heard and seen, even for the children sitting farther back in the

classroom. The Twitter account will also be maintained in order to keep up with the

student’s process. Prior to the doing the WebQuest, I will make sure that all students

have liked the class Facebook page and understand how to upload their article. The

WebQuest will be designed before the class and a computer lab, large enough to hold

the entire class will be reserved.

V. Require Learner Participation: Comprehension of the material from day 2 will be

seen through the WebQuest assignment. This assignment will allow the students put

what they know down on paper. They will also be responding to other student’s articles,

which will increase class participation. The students will be able to discuss their articles

with each other, as well as myself, in order to answer any questions that may arise

during the assignment. The students will participate actively in the WebQuest and also

the discussion of others articles.

VI. Evaluate and Revise: I will assess classroom comprehension by grading the

articles posted to the classroom Facebook page. The students will also be evaluated on

their response to another student’s article. The students have been given a rubric

directly on the WebQuest so they know going into the assignment what is expected of

them. I will also be able to revise my lesson plan by reviewing the reflection the

students post on the class Twitter account.