“In our daily lives, 20th century technological advances surround us. Whether we are taking a hot shower, using the refrigerator, driving a car or turning on a light to read a book, our environment is shaped by hundreds inventions that make our lives more comfortable, automatic, productive and easier. The goal of this lesson plan is for students to understand how dependent we have become in the technical world and what “modern conveniences” really are. Students will identify the machines (technologies) in their homes and agree to live without them for a 24-hour period. By observation, this lesson will help give students a small glimpse into what life was probably like one hundred years ago and how we benefit from modern culture.”
Learning Objectives:
Students will be able to:
- Identify technologies that have made our lives easier, more efficient, convenient, cleaner, automatic and faster
- Demonstrate how technologies are crucial to our everyday lives
- Understand and demonstrate what are “modern conveniences”
- Identify 20th century inventors and inventions
- Analyze the benefits and/or downfalls of 20th century technologies
- Understand the basic and logical sequence of 20th century technologies (Understand technology is more than just video games and computers)
NCSCOS-5.04 Identify technological advances, and evaluate their influence on the quality of life in North Carolina.
I love this lesson plan. It gives the students an idea about what it would be like to live without all the technological advances they have. Students of the 21st century don’t have a clue what it is like without the internet, cell phones, and all the other devices they carry along with them. I wanted to incorporate technology in my lesson plan and this one does that well. Using a journal also incorporates language arts. I believe this will be a fun and eye opening lesson.
Lynn Potter
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/1900house/lessons/lesson2a.html
Lynn, I wonder how many middle schoolers would really give up their texting?
Annette Joy
Lynn,
I’m with Annette. It would be hard for our middle schoolers to give up phones and texting, etc. They are like a drug to them. They’re addicted. I do like the idea though. We have first hand experience about not having any technology.
Sherry
Texting is addictive. I didn’t start texting myself until this year, but once you start it becomes a habit. I am sure kids will have a hard time not texting, I would myself. Hopefully, I can make this lesson exciting enough to get them on board for 24 hours.
Lynn
Technology is the way to go. I think that we should use what our students use. I think that they will respond better.
I think that this is a great lesson, and even if they do not completely give up texting. Just attempting it, or thinking about how life would be if they gave it up would show them just how dependent they are on technology. I think that this could really be an effective lesson.
Crystal Roop
Adolescents and teens really are totally dependent on technology. I don’t even think they realize how much they are. Crystal, I agree with you, this could be very effective if I can get them to buy in.
Lynn