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Lesson Plan

Teacher: Traci N. Prater	Date(s): Sept. 25 through Sept. 29, 2000	Length: 60 Minutes
Subject: Computer Applications (4th Period)	Age/Grade Level: 11^th - 12^th (Age 16-18)	School: Magoffin County Career & Technical Center
Title: Utilizing technology for the purpose of a cultural analysis.	# of Students: 24	# of IEP’s:

Objectives:

1. The students will gain an understanding of the importance of culture in their society and other societies

2. The students will be able to discuss the cultural aspects of Russia which will include:

Geographical Settings	Social Institutions	Education
Political Systems	Legal Systems	Social Organizations
Religion	Living Conditions	Housing
Clothing	Language	Population

3. The students will gain a brief understanding of the culture of Russia through the presentation of a foreign exchange student.

4. The students will be able to complete an in-depth research of Russia’s culture by using the Internet and other types of technology.

5. The students will learn interview techniques for the purpose of research.

6. The students will learn proper techniques for giving presentations.

Connections:

1) Kentucky Learner Goals:

1.1	Accessing Sources of Information
1.2	Reading
1.4	Listening
1.11	Writing
1.12	Speaking
1.16	Using Electronic Technology
2.37	Skills & work habits for success in future schooling & work
3.1	Positive growth in self-concept through task/projects
3.3	Adaptable & Flexible
3.4	Resourceful & Creative
3.7	Learn on One’s Own
4.6	Open Mind to Alternative Perspectives

2) SCANS (Secretary’s Commission on Achieving Necessary Skills)

Competency 5	Acquires & Evaluates Information
Competency 7	Interprets & Communicates Information
Competency 8	Uses Computer to Process Information
Competency 19	Applies technology to a task
Foundation 1	Reading
Foundation 2	Writing
Foundation 6	Speaking

3) NBEA Standards (National Business Education Association):

· Communications.

Uses technology to enhance the effectiveness of communications

Context:

The objectives in this lesson are designed to help the students develop different cultural perspectives and allow them to develop an understanding of the their foreign exchange classmate. They are also designed to teach students how to properly prepare both written and oral presentations.

Materials/Technology:

Computers w/Internet capabilities

Cultural Analysis

PowerPoint Presentation on Russia

Rubrics on Oral and Written Presentations

Procedures:

1. The teacher will begin by discussing that culture consist of many different aspects such as:

Language	Knowledge	Laws
Religion	Food Customs	Music
Art	Technology	Work Patterns
Products

Along with other artifacts that give a society it’s distinctive flavor. The teacher will explain that culture is a society’s personality.

2. The teacher will discuss how the culture of America has molded the students behavior and how it has such a dramatic effect on their daily lives. The teacher will give examples such as:

· Our society brushes their teeth twice a day with flavored toothpaste

· Our society takes baths on a daily basis

· 55% of American adults consider a microwave to be a necessity.

· 36% of Americans feels a remote control for a TV or VCR is a necessity.

3. The teacher will discuss how American culture influences how to dress for specific occasions such as:

· Around the house

· Work

· Church

· School

· Fast-food Restaurants

· Movie Theaters

4. The teacher will explain that all the items discussed above have made the students who they are and what they believe in.
5. The teacher will explain that the main objective of the lesson is to learn about culture and especially Russia’s culture so the students can gain an understanding of the foreign exchange student in their class.
6. The foreign exchange student will give a small presentation regarding different aspects of her culture that she would like her classmates to know.
7. The teacher will give a small presentation of research conducted about the Samara region located in Russia, where the foreign exchange student is from. The presentation will be used as an example of what is expected of the students when they present on Friday September 29^th.
8. The class will be divided into teams with two students on each team. Each team will be assigned a section in the cultural analysis (see attachment) that they will have to conduct research on that will be included in a written and oral presentation.
9. Each team will be required to use technology in at least 3 areas of their presentation such as:

· Internet for research

· Word processor to create written documents

· PowerPoint to create a computer presentation

· Computer programs to generate pictures and written statements to be used on poster boards.

· Overheads

· Etc.

10. The students will be required to interview the foreign exchange student to learn about her county and culture. The teacher will discuss interviewing techniques and tips for the students to use.

Student Assessment:

The students will be assessed on their ability to work with classmates to complete a written and oral presentation, which will be assessed with a rubric (see attachment).

Impact – Reflection/Analysis of Teaching and Learning:

The introduction to this lesson went really well. The students seemed to be really interested in the topic and excited to begin research. When asking the students about their perception of culture, I was pleased with the responses I received. The students seemed to have a clear understanding of what culture is and they were able to produce some wonderful examples of culture.

I try not to lecture for long periods because you can loose the students attention. So I tried to keep my part of the lecture to a minimum and allow the foreign exchange student time to do her presentation. I should have given the foreign exchange student a specific time limit to her presentation because she had a lot to say about her culture and I had to interrupt her to give closure to the class.

Many of the students worked hard on their presentation but there were some students that wanted to play on the Internet and compile their information as the last minute. I feel I had to allow the student much more time then it should have taken because they wouldn’t put forth the effort to complete the assignment in a timely manner.

It was very difficult to get the student prepared to do the presentations because on the days that I planned the presentation, there were so many absences, that each group was missing a team member or two. This was very aggravating and also time consuming.

Refinement – Lesson Extension/Follow-up:

The students will be given a week to complete their oral and written presentation. They will also learn about communication and it’s importance in cultures.

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