Managing Our Coastlines

TIPC Ratings

This lesson falls in the target level of Research and Information Fluency.
In groups, students researched a coastal management issue, compiled the research into a collaborative wiki and produced a persuasive presentation in a digital format of their choice in support of or against the coastal management practice. In order to properly formulate an opinion on the matter, it was necessary for students to understand the management practice and human impacts on the coasts as well as the natural conditions and processes of the areas in question. Students constructed research questions and used research skills and tools including various search engines and advanced search features to search for and vet resources pertaining to their coastal problem. Students synthesized information on their management practice from other global locations currently using the practice to validate their argument for implementation. They compiled their information and multimedia in a collaborative Wiki and presentation in a format of their choice. Students used their original presentations in a formal forum to inform and educate the audience and persuade the panel of experts that their solution was the proper course of action

This lesson falls in the target level of Communication and Collaboration.
Students collaborated inside and outside of the classroom to perform the research and create the presentation, and they collaboratively presented the information arguing for their positions. The teacher provided class time for group collaboration, however writing, source compiling, and other tasks required some outside time. The teacher modeled use of the Wiki and gave students full control over other communication methods, including email and text messaging. Within each group, students took on a role that was natural to them. The group established the leader who tasked others with roles to complete the task. For their presentation, groups were permitted to choose any digital tool in order to communicate their findings to the audience and expert panel. Group reflection occurred during the debriefing following the presentation when the audience and expert panel were permitted to ask questions. This allowed each group to reflect on their topic and how effectively they were able to present their information. The wiki provided an opportunity for the students to potentially communicate with other peers and experts globally.
.

Students were required to analyze a coastal management issue as a viable option for a particular area along the east coast of the United States. Students applied their knowledge in order to find other digital sources and tools to critically asses the coastal management issue, and compiled information collaboratively on a wiki that was used to inform the presentation and facilitate group discussions. Many of these issues required debate within the groups to justify which points were the most important to present . Students were permitted to select their own digital tools and sources, including multimedia items, to successfully present the problem and its solutions. The wiki was used as a reference point for creation of the presentation and to answer questions posed by the audience and panel. After the presentation, students reflected their roles during the question period allotted for the audience and panel to ask questions. Students commented about their research and how some of the practices can be both detrimental and harmful to the coastline. In addition, many students reflected on their groups’ success while watching other groups present their information, allowing them to better understand how to be more effective on future assignments and projects.

This lesson falls in the approaching level of Creativity and Innovation
Students were asked to create an original presentation using a format and digital tools of their choice that would synthesize their research and ideas and provide ample evidence to support their position on their coastal issue. The task included extensive research and critical thinking during the analysis of the information in order to address the coastal management project. Students authored a collaborative wiki page of their own work to organize information. After synthesizing the collaborative research and recording the findings on the wiki, students were tasked with designing and creating an original digital presentation about their coastal management issue to present possible solutions to their peers and a panel of experts. Students selected the format for the presentation that best fit their communication needs. A short question and answer session after each presentation gave students the opportunity to clarify their ideas about the benefits and disadvantages of the possible coastal interventions.