Author:
Carrie Robledo
Subject:
English Language Arts
Material Type:
Activity/Lab
Level:
High School
Tags:
  • 6-12 Design Thinking
  • 6-12-design-thinking
  • License:
    Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial
    Language:
    English

    Education Standards

    ELA - Informational Web Page

    ELA - Informational Web Page

    Overview

     

    Students will create a web page that is informational on a topic they select. They must include the history or aspect of history on their topic, a step by step tutorial with visual and written instructions, and a page with links to find more information on the topic to name a few. This is not an individual lesson, but a project that includes web building, information gathering, informational writing, and using various aspects of multimedia.

    Instructor Directions

    Informational Web Page

    Driving Question / ScenarioHow do you use multimedia in order to convey information effectively to others?
    Project SummaryStudents will create a web page that is informational on a topic they select. They must include the history or aspect of history on their topic, a step by step tutorial with visual and written instructions, and a page with links to find more information on the topic to name a few. This is not an individual lesson, but a project that includes web building, information gathering, informational writing, and using various aspects of multimedia.
    Estimated TimeThree 60 minute periods plus additional outside the classroom work.
    Materials / ResourcesWeebly web designer (or similar format), Google docs, camtasia, a cell phone or similar device to record videos, and a laptop computer.Tasks and ActivitiesBefore the Lesson: An introduction as to what constitutes a good web page. Basic procedures on the use of weebly. A mini lesson on the credibility of websites is suggested as well.The Lesson: (Note: Since this is a project, there are various days used in class to develop the webpage and various days for students to work on their product outside of class.) The website will be split up into four pages. Page one is an introduction to the topic and why that topic is interesting. Page two is a history of the topic. This part of the project includes research and citations. Citations will be set up in MLA format with in text citations. A minimum of five citations must be used for the history page. Page three: Students will create a step by step how to lesson for something within their topic. This page will consist of written instructions and some form of media. Page Four: The student will find five websites that would be on interest to someone who wanted further information on their topic. The student must evaluate the website and write a short paragraph explaining the benefits of the website to the user.After the Lesson: Students will set up their computers around the classroom. Each class member will be assigned three of their peers webpages to evaluate.
    StandardsW2: Write informative/explanatory texts to examine and convey complex ideas, concepts, and information clearly and accurately through the effective selection, organization, andanalysis of content.W4: Use digital tools and resources to produce, publish, and update individual or shared writing products, taking advantage of technology’s capacity to link to other information and to display information flexibly and dynamically.W6: Gather relevant information from multiple authoritative print and digital sources, using advanced searches effectively; assess the usefulness of each source in answering the research question; integrate information into the text selectively to maintain the flow of ideas, avoiding plagiarism and following a standard format for citation.
    Project Outline
    AskHow can you create information to keep people informed?
    ImagineYou have been hired to create a website to inform the public about a particular topic.
    PlanYou will need to create and gather information about a particular topic. You must research the history of the topic, produce step by step directions on something within the topic, and research and evaluate five websites for people who want further information on the topic.
    CreateUsing weebly you will create a website with four pages. The introduction page explains what the topic is and why it is interesting. The second page will be a brief history on the topic which must contain in text citations and sources cited at the end of the page. The third page must contain step by step directions for someone who is interested in doing something within the topic. The directions must have a multimedia component and a set of written instructions. The last page must contain five websites. Each website must contain an active link for someone who wants more information about the topic. Each website must have a summary about it and an evaluation on its usefulness to the user.
    ImproveImprove the step by step directions to make them easier to improve.
    Closure / Student ReflectionsStudents will create a walk through in order to evaluate each other's websites with suggestions to improve the websites.
    Possible Modifications / ExtensionsFor students who need modifications: For students who are SLD in reading, pair them with a student who is stronger in reading to work together on the project. This is important when it comes to the research section and the webpages.

     

    Pre & Post

    Pre

    1. What are the characteristics of a good website?
    2. How can you create directions in order to do something that are easy to follow?
    3. How can you effectively evaluate other websites?
    4. What information do you need in order to effectively convey your topics history?

    Post

    1. Do you have the characteristics of a good website?
    2. Can someone read and view you directions in order to do the task you have described?
    3. Are the websites you suggested easy to navigate and informational?
    4. Does the history of your topic convey meaningful and important information?