PART A - Description of Need or Opportunity

Wicked Problem Project

An Educational Opportunity

Through this project I have an opportunity to take a topic that was disconnected and lacked student engagement and make it more connected and engaging for students, which I think will allow students to better master the concept and make stronger connections with the subject matter.  

In the unit on plate tectonics, volcanoes and earthquakes I like students to be able to understand how the 3 concepts are related.  I want them to be able to located the major earth plate boundaries and what type of boundaries they are.  I want them to be able to then see that the major earthquakes and volcanoes of the world are found on those boundaries along with what types of volcanoes and earthquakes.  I also want them to see the other major Earth features that are found on plate boundaries.  

Using Technology

My plan is to have students work as partners and use Google Earth to make a virtual tour of the plate boundaries, volcanoes, earthquakes and boundary features.  Student tours will include the types of boundaries, volcanoes and how the features are formed.  It will also include the basic information on the major earthquakes that have occurred and how the features have formed. The use of the technology allows several things for students.  Looking at it through the NETS standards the assignment covers this:

1. Students demonstrate a sound understanding of 
   the nature and operation of technology systems.
2. Use technology tools for 
   individual and collaborative writing, communication, and publishing activities to 
   create knowledge products for audiences inside and outside the classroom.
3. Students 
   use technology to locate, evaluate, and collect information from a variety of 
   sources. Discuss basic issues related to responsible use of technology and 
   information.

This project requires no cost and I believe it will have a huge impact on student learning rather than the prior way of teaching this lesson with lecture and coloring of maps.

Logistics

Logistically there shouldn't be any issues with technology.  While I would love to be able to use the iPads in my classroom for this activity we will actually utilize one of the 3 computer labs in the school.  I will need to book these a couple weeks in advance as sometimes they can fill up.  Since the tour they create on Google Earth will include voice narration from the students I will need to make sure I have microphones on hand.  I know our technology department has several microphones so I will need to touch base with them about their use.  I will also need to make sure that all our computers are upgraded to Google Earth 5.  Our technology department is usually on top of those things but I will need to double check.  

Research

Since I have never created a Google Tour or had students create one the idea did require some research.  I actually got the idea from a fellow colleague who I met in this program.  

I first searched how to make a Google Earth Tour.  http://www.google.com/earth/outreach/tutorials/kmltours.html

I also did some research to see how other educators were using Google Earth Tour.

• This teacher has some great resources and guide for students in making their tours.  I like her recording sheet or planning sheet.  I will want to create one of those for my students,  She has a rubric as well that I might be able to adapt to my assignment.  http://misshendleysclass.pbworks.com/w/page/50940324/Google%20Tours
• Here I found a great assignment sheet with directions that I could also adapt.  www.olc.edu/~smannel/gis/.../_files/.../asg_Google_Earth.doc
• This website also has a great assignment sheet and scavenger hunt to get students familiar with Google Earth.  http://lmsdgoogle.wikispaces.com/file/view/Google+Earth+project_guide.pdf

Implementation

I plan to implement the entire project during this course.

Success

Indicators of a successful project will be in the students finished projects that have meet all standards for the project and beyond.  Other indicators of success will be results of the unit assessment.  Scores on the unit assessment should be higher than last year and their should be less students who need to take advantage of second change testing.