Submitted by: Emily Roberts
Collaborators: Jason Ciaschi – Technology Education JRTHS, Joy McDonald – ITRT
School: Hungary Creek Middle
Summary
Wouldn’t It Be Cool If… is a contest for students to create an invention that could change their world or community. Inventions will be judged by the famous Wil.i.am and Dean Kamen. After an introduction to analyzing media, my students worked in self-selected teams to create an invention and media campaign for this contest. They analyzed entries to media techniques and used Google docs to communicate with one another to pose questions about their invention, create roles in the process, list their sources and resources, organize their design cycle, and reflect. In addition, they used a variety of software to create images of their invention (Google Sketch Up, Adobe Photo Shop, Microsoft Publisher, ActivInspire, etc.). As inventions were created and media campaigns started, my students communicated through Skype with an Inventions and Innovations class from Tucker High School where those students gave them feedback on their invention and their media campaign. Students uploaded their image and media campaign (text and visual) to the site for entry into the contest.
TIPC Ratings
Approaching: Very little new research was done. However, students used knowledge of appropriate websites and web evaluation to pose questions about their invention. They used a Google Doc to organize their information and assemble their invention.
Target: Students used Google docs and Skype to communicate with each other and students from Tucker High School. They brainstormed ideas using a teacher blog. In addition, the contest gave them a chance to comment and reflect on other students’ inventions and upload their own ideas for anyone to see. Students reflected on their roles within the groups.
Target: Students selected digital tools to create their invention and media message. They asked questions and used a Google doc as a problem solving strategy within groups. Using Skype they received feedback on their invention and design. After their sessions, they reflected on their roles.
Target: Students used graphic design techniques that I didn’t even know about to create their invention and media message. Again, they constantly reflected throughout the process.
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