Computer-based Lesson - ESL Cultural Presentation 10 Week Project by Susan Lukwago

Integrating Computer Technology into the classroom - Final Activity

Determine student level

The intended audience is High Intermediate and Advanced English as a Second Language (ESL) students. The former “can work with or learn basic computer software, such as word processing and can follow simple instructions for using technology.” The latter “can use all basic software applications, understand the impact of technology and select the correct technology in a new situation.” (CASAS and Kansas Board of Regents Educational Functioning Level Descriptors). All students are exposed to technology as a requirement of our Adult Basic Education (ABE) contract.

Determine prior computer and motor skills

These students in these classes have been exposed to technology and are familiar with all the parts of the computer and how to negotiate around on it, from previous classes.

Determine content objectives

At the end of this lesson series, the student will have:

Used an Internet search engine to retrieve information
Used a word processing program to develop a one-page summary
Used Power Point to prepare part of a presentation
Further developed her or her oral presentation skills.

Research materials for content

Students will have access to the Internet, specifically Google, and to Microsoft Word and Power Point software. They may use another search engine if they prefer.

Learning Activity

· All of our ESL students were born outside the United States. Most, if not all, identify with specific regions of their countries of origin.

· The activity is to prepare a 15 minutes presentation about who you are, and specifically about your native culture.

· This presentation will include 1) background information on where the student is from (location, size of area, population, climate, languages, literacy rates and so on); a one-page hand-out about the student’s country – a fact sheet; and anything else he or she would like to add (like dressing in traditional clothes or bringing native food, bringing jewelry or other artifact to the presentation).

Test learning activity to ensure it meets objectives

This instructor, Susan Lukwago, has done a part of this activity for a public speaking class. Incorporating the Internet search and Power Point presentation will ensure that the course meets its objectives.

Decide where it will integrate into instruction

This part of the course will be a unit in the technology instruction required by our ABE contract. The activity will be introduced in the first tech lesson for the Intermediate and Advanced ESL students. Technology instruction occurs one day a week out of four days of instruction (M-Th).

Course Outline

Week 1: Introduce activity but focus the rest of the class on other parts of technology.

Week 2: Spend half an hour on conducting searches on Google and printing desired information. (Students at this level are familiar with the Internet). Show students how to put search terms (in plain English) into search engine. Also provide some web resource lists for students.

Homework: Take printed information home to review. Students choose what they would like to use in presentation, and what else they might want to research and print.

Week 3: Spend 10 minutes researching and printing whatever else is needed whatever else students need based on homework review.

Spend 20 minutes talking about and preparing the outline for the presentation, including outlines for the Power Point and Word portions.

Homework: Flesh out the outline of the presentation to bring to class next week, to be turned in and graded. (Students at this level are familiar with Microsoft Word).

Week 4: Introduce Power Point software – entire 30 minutes of class

Week 5: Give students the opportunity to interact with Power Point. Show how it can be used to prompt one’s presentation and move a presentation along – entire 30 minutes

Homework: Determine what information (from research, outline, and personal experience) will be presented using Power Point. Encourage students to write about 5 slides of information to bring to class next week. These will be graded.

Week 6: Revisit outline of class assignment. It should look something like this:

2 minutes Introduce myself and give title of my presentation

6 minutes Present background information on my native home using Power

Point

3 minutes Pass out and walk through hand out/fact sheet on my native home.

Include list of Internet resources use – on the fact sheet.

3 minutes Share some artifacts or food or clothes from native home.

1 minutes Conclude on strong, interesting note.

Spend 15 minutes discussing fleshed out out-line. Spend 10 minutes explaining homework.

Homework: Give student back copies of written up Power Point slides. Use these and research, to write out the fact sheet. The fact sheet should not be identical to the fact sheet.

Week 7: Type up and print Power Point slides – entire 30 minutes portion of tech class

Homework: Take home, review and become familiar with slides.

Week 8: Type up and print fact sheet in Microsoft Word – entire 30 minutes

Homework: Take home, review and become familiar with fact sheet.

Week 9: Complete preparation of presentations; opportunity to ask questions.

Weeks 10 through 13 or so:

Take 30 minutes each week to listen to 2 presentations. Estimate a class of 8 will take 4 weeks.

Evaluate effectiveness of activity

Evaluate the effectiveness of the activity based on:

1) the homework turned in during the course;

2) the oral presentation at the end of the course;

3) the quality of the fact sheets;

4) how engaged the class was in the activity;

5) an anonymous teacher-developed written evaluation.