1. Analyze the Learners: My class is a 10th grade geometry class which consists of 17 boys
and 13 girls. In my 30 student class, there are 10 African Americans, 4 Asian Americans,
6Latin Americans, and 10 Caucasians. I also have 4 ADD/ADHD students, and 5
learning-disabled students.
State the Objective: After a discussion about surface area prompted by a podcast, after taking
notes about surface areas and following multiple examples on how to calculate the
surface area of various shapes, my students will propose dimensions, and calculate the
surface area of two structures on the Second Life world of STEM Island with at least an
80% accuracy. They will write a description (a summary of what they learned), and
rationale with calculations, of the assignment on their blog with a snapshot of both
structures embedded on their blog; my students will tweet me the URL to their blog
(@missccarrion). My students will also begin the Surface Area WebQuest today.
Select Methods: An original podcast will introduce students to today’s lesson about surface
area. I will provide some examples of calculating different surface areas (rectangular
boxes, pyramids, cubes, spheres, etc.). Then, my students will transition to the computers
and log in to Second Life. When they complete their Second Life assignment and blog,
they will visit my website for the link to their WebQuest and watch the YouTube video
for help on creating a scaled drawing.
Media: The lesson will need a computer, wifi/internet, and speakers to play the podcast.
All the students will need computers with wifi/internet to complete their Second Life
assignment, blog, begin working on the WebQuest, and watch the YouTube video.
Materials: Students will need pencil, paper, and calculators for calculations, as well as a
Second Life account and blog (via Google). The lesson will require the podcast and
WebQuest.
Utilize Materials: The class will listen to the podcast. After some discussion, my students
will transition onto the computers and log on Second Life. They will enter STEM Island,
and choose two structures to calculate their surface area. My students will estimate the
dimensions of the structure as if they were real, take a snapshot of both structures, and
write a description and reflection blog about the assignment. The blog will include a
snapshot of both structures. Then, my students will access the surface area WebQuest
from my website, begin working on their portfolio, and watch the YouTube video for
help on creating a scaled drawing.
2. Require Learner Participation: My students are encouraged to ask questions during
discussion. Second Life and the WebQuest require learner participation because the
students are actively involved in completing the tasks.
Evaluate and Revise: I believe this lesson is very learner centered. My students are
independently in charge of their pace to complete the Second Life assignment, blog, and
beginning the WebQuest. I wish Second Life would provide a scale for the virtual world
(and perhaps they do and I haven't seen it). If there was a scale, then my students could
use the scaled dimensions of the structures, and convert them to real-life dimensions
rather than using their estimation skills. I will assess the students' blog, and focus on the
students' rationale and calculations.
