http://fcit.usf.edu/matrix/movies/constructive_adaptation_science.m4v
The nature of the case is using collaboration to engage students. The video focuses on a middle school science classroom that is working on a infectious disease project. The students work in teams of 5 to gather specific pieces of information about an infectious disease that was part of list chosen by the class. Students had to find the history, symptom, causes, and treatment or cures. Then students worked individually on each piece and had to collaborate together to complete a presentation of their choice.
The information that I learned from this is seeing the process in action, not just written words on paper. The project was designed to allow students choice in every part: Whom to work with, what disease to study, what part of the plan did the student want to focus on, and what type of presentation to use. Student choice allows ownership of the work and it deepens the engagement level. I teach the same curriculum as this class and the unit on diseases will be taught in May. My plan is to use this lesson in my class with some modifications. The only negative critique was the length of the video. It was too short. I give it a 3 out of 5.
The information that I learned from this is seeing the process in action, not just written words on paper. The project was designed to allow students choice in every part: Whom to work with, what disease to study, what part of the plan did the student want to focus on, and what type of presentation to use. Student choice allows ownership of the work and it deepens the engagement level. I teach the same curriculum as this class and the unit on diseases will be taught in May. My plan is to use this lesson in my class with some modifications. The only negative critique was the length of the video. It was too short. I give it a 3 out of 5.