Technology Center for the 21st Century
LAB DESCRIPTION:
The Technology Center is an exploratory laboratory for the study of Science, Math, and Technology through an integrated system of computers and hands-on projects. Students work in groups of 2 at one station for 5 days and switch to a new station each week. Advanced Technology classes switch at the end of 6 days. Students will apply academic and higher level thinking skills as they learn technological applications.
7th Grade Technology & IB Technology Strand (9 weeks):
At the end of the 9 week course, each student will have experienced 8 different technical lab stations along with 8 different lab partners.
8th Grade Advanced Technology Elective & Advanced IB-Gen YES Technology (18 weeks):
At the end of the 18 week course, each student will have experienced 14 different advanced technical lab stations along with 14 different lab partners. During a 6 day lab, students will spend 4 days creating a project, then 2 days creating a PowerPoint describing what they learned about the lab.
- PowerPoint Criteria:
Describe the process of your lab and what you learned from the lab.
Describe what problems you encountered and how you solved them.
Describe the project/ lab impacts on society or the social significance of the project/ lab.
How does this shape our world? How is this program/ lab used in society?
How does this technology affect the environment? - or how can this program be used in the community?
How is this technology used in other cultures?
REQUIREMENTS and LEARNING CONCEPTS in TECHNOLOGY:
All students are expected to learn and do the best they can each day.
1. Read for information and direction.
2. Write in a daily journal on what you have learned from your lab experience.
3. Become actively and physically involved in learning.
4. Complete math problems pertaining to real life situations, state standards, and lab station.
5. Conduct scientific analysis.
6. Work cooperatively with lab partners.
7. Apply high-level thinking skills.
8. Understand the history, current, and future applications of various technologies.
PROCESS AND CONTENT :
- All students solve problems in a multidimensional and multidisciplinary manner.
- All students acquire skills related to project management and team dynamics.
- All students are encouraged to use their creativity and "out-of-the-box" thinking.
- All students are required to use effective oral and written communications.
- All students integrate economics into cooperative learning and problem solving activities.
- All students will evaluate the global economy
and it's impacts on society.
7th GRADE TECHNOLOGY & IB LAB EVALUATION:
- 50% Daily Journals: Papers will be graded on quality of information, neatness, and organization (4 concepts each day). 12 concepts and 1 math problem are due on the 5th day of each lab. IB students complete one IB form per lab.
- 50% Lab Participation: Lab Participation will be determined by; completion of project, cooperative learning with lab team member, active participation, consistent note taking, reading of lab manuals, staying on task, remaining at lab station the full period, and care, use, and clean-up of lab equipment.
8th GRADE ADVANCED TECHNOLOGY & IB Gen YES LAB EVALUATION:
- 50% Daily Journals: Papers will be graded on quality of information, neatness, and organization (4 concepts each day). 8 concepts and 1 math problem are due on the 4th day of each lab. 8 points are possible for the Powerpoint. Each lab is worth 20 points.
- 50% Lab Participation: Lab Participation will be determined by; completion of project, cooperative learning with lab team member, active participation, consistent note taking, reading of lab manuals, staying on task, remaining at lab station the full period, and care, use, and clean-up of lab equipment.
Technology Center Is A Student Designed Program
* Interactive Learning: Hands-on activities and multimedia accommodates many learning styles through video, sound, animation, audio narration, 2-D and 3-D graphics, text outlines, spell checking, thesaurus, key-word searches, and mechanical,electrical, and material components to promote concept learning, and enhance understanding.
*Differentiated Instruction: - Technology modules are designed to integrate multiple intelligence's by addressing individual differences and providing a wide range of activities and experiences to facilitate learning.
*Project Based Learning: - Projects are designed to incorporate complex problems requiring critical thinking. Learning outcomes include collaboration, content standards, critical thinking, oral communications, written communications, teamwork, technology literacy, and life skills.
*Problem Solving: - Scientific method of achieving a practical purpose in developing and improving products that make work easier, faster, and better.
* Continuous Learning: Interlocking integration of topics, issues, concepts, and methodologies, and technology coverage from upper elementary through secondary levels.
* Disadvantaged and Gifted Structure: Technology modules are flexible to accommodate individual interests and learning styles for both disadvantaged and gifted students at any level. Learning modules and programs consist of basic graphical outlines as well as advanced detailed instructions.
* Progressive Evaluation: Grading is measured on progress learned during a five day period. Prior knowledge or skill is not an issue. Advanced students are able to accelerate to high school and college level competencies.
* Collaborative Learning: Working in groups of two, students learn to work together to communicate effectively, solve problems, and produce desired results. Students become teachers during lab experiences.
* Active Learning: Hands-on activities, interactive reading and writing enhances vocabulary, writing skills, technical skills, and technical learning concepts.
* Immediate Reinforcement: Hands-on activities, student teamwork, computer interactivity, and teacher guidance provide students with instant feedback for desired learning. Continuous feedback is critical in helping students become self-directed learners.
* Variety of Subjects: With several technology modules and several technical discussion topics, students are exposed to a wide range of technologies to accommodate interests and abilities.
* Creativity and Enrichment: Each technology module provides students with an opportunity to pursue stimulating independent study projects and challenges.
* Flexible Grouping: Based on the content, project, knowledge, and on-going evaluations, grouping of students is not fixed.
* Real-Life Experiences: Each lab provides meaningful learning and collaboration involving challenging and real-life tasks.
* Higher Level Thinking Skills: In each module, students think analytically, logically, and creatively, synthesize data, integrate experience and knowledge form reasoned judgments, evaluate material under study, and solve problems.
* Reinforcement of Academic Skills: Each module reinforces academic skills used in real-life occupations. The integration of disciplines include:
A. Language and communication - reading for information and writing concepts of what was learned.
B. Mathematics - calculating speeds, ratios, area, volumes, etc.
C. Social Studies - social, political, and future impacts of technology.
D. Science - evaluating chemical, biological, general, and physical concepts.
E. Physical Education - biomechanics, physiology, and health.
* The Technology Center is designed to provide the most effective learning environment and responding to the needs of all learners.
- - Visual/Spatial Intelligence
- Verbal/Linguistic Intelligence
- Logical/Mathematical Intelligence
- Bodily/Kinesthetic Intelligence
- Musical/Rhythmic Intelligence
- Interpersonal Intelligence
- Intrapersonal Intelligence
- Naturalist
* Students are offered choices during lab experiences:
- Multiple options for taking in information.
- Multiple options for making sense of the ideas.
- Multiple options for expressing what they know.
