Project Exploration :  Facebook/MySpace

Lesson Title: Mythological Character Social Networking Page Assignment

                      (Facebook or MySpace)

Grade Level: Seventh Grade

Subject Areas:  Literature, Language Arts

Lesson Summary: For this assignment, students will be selecting a character from Greek mythology and researching their chosen character.

Objectives: 
* Maintain a list of the vocabulary introduced
* To improve the language comprehension skills 
* Students will gain an understanding of the nature of heroes - both modern and in the heroic age of myth.  
* Strengthen written and oral communication, as well as research competency.
* Be able to work collaboratively with others by participating in classroom and group discussions.
*  Develop confidence and critical self-awareness in working with technology to further educational objectives. 

Approximate Time Needed: Five Weeks

Detailed Lesson Plan:

Mythological Character Social Networking Page Assignment

(Facebook, My Space)

For this assignment, you will be selecting a character from Greek mythology and researching your chosen character. Be sure to use RELIABLE sources in your research. After you collect your information, you will apply your knowledge of your character and construct a social networking page (either Facebook or My space).

Here are some things to look for in your research:

*   Name of character

*   Powers and responsibilities

*   Familial relationships

*   Symbols associated with the character (tools, animals, cities, etc.)

On your social networking page, you must include:

*   A profile picture

*   At least FIVE status updates

*   At least one wall photo (and/or link to album) with a minimum of two photo comments by other mythological beings

*   At least THREE interactions with other mythological beings

               (Writing on each others wall inviting to join a group,                         commenting on another character’ status, etc.)

*   At least THREE “likes” (thumbs up) for different causes, etc.

*   Info, “about me” includes familial relationship, interests, relationship status, looking for, work history, etc.

You will be graded on the content and creativity of your social networking page.

Characters to Consider:

Olympian Gods:           Monsters and Creatures:        Other Minor

Aphrodite                          Centaurs                                           Adonis

Apollo                                Cerberus                                           Asclepius

Ares                                    Cyclopes                                           Eilithyia                       

Artemis                             Giants                                                Hebe                            

Athena                              Hecatonchires                                  Helios

Demeter                           Medusa                                              Hemera

Dionysus                          Satyrs                                                 Hyacinth

Hades                               Sphinx                                                Nyx

Hephaestus                     Typhoon                                             Persephone

Hera                                                                                              Styx

Hermes                                                                                         Tyche

Hestia

Poseidon

Zeus          

Greek Heroes:                       Famous Greek Mortals:

Achilles                                           Actaeon

Agamemnon                                  Bellerophon

Heracles                                         Danae

Jason and the Argonauts            Europe

Odysseus                                        Ganymede

Perseus                                           Narcissus

Sisyphus                                         Pandora

Theseus                                 

“Why do I want to use Web 2.0 Technologies?”

Every time I read on Web 2.0 technologies it never seizes to amaze me what these tools can offer and the affect it can have on education.  The article on TPACK and Web 2.0: Transformation of Teaching and Learning was another inspiring reading on the efficiency of Web 2.0 technologies. These tools can be used for both the educational process as well as for self development. There are numerous technologies that educators can choose from and at times I feel a little overwhelmed.  From the few tools that I do use such as bookmarking, blogs, wikis, RSS and social networking, I think once engaged in using Web 2.0 technologies I’ve discovered that it is worth the effort and I’ve come to enjoy the benefits of what these tools have to offer.

The reasons I use or the reasons why I want to use web 2.0 technologies is because it allows me:

1. quick and easy access to information.
2. flexibility to access information from virtually anywhere at any time. 
3. it has a positive influence on my communication skills.
4. allows me to work independently as well as collaboratively with my students and peers.
5. its been reliable
6. Cost effective
7. allows me to foster collaborative work with not only my students, but with colleagues, community and family members. 
8. Keeps both my students and I engaged.
9. Gets us to be more creative and to think outside the box.
10.  Provides prompts feedback. I’ve been reading about VoiceThread where you can create as the name suggests voice thread that enables comments and feedback from students and teachers around pieces of media such as images and presentations.  

~Nikki

TPACK and Web 2.0:

Transformation of  Teaching and Learning

TPACK stands for Technological, Pedagogical, and Content Knowledge. Mishra & Koehler developed this conceptual framework in 2006.  Basically, TPACK is "a way of thinking about the knowledge teachers need to understand to integrate web 2.0 technologies effectively into their classrooms. Teachers who exhibit best practices with technology are "creative, flexible, and adapt to ways in which they navigate the constraints, affordances, and interactions within TPACK framework. (Mishra & Koehler, 2008)."

TPACK combined with peer edited knowledge are such that the sum is greater than the individual parts.  Web 2.0 technologies is able to afford teachers and students with creative and collaborative choices such as social networking, blogs, Wordpress, social bookmarking, wikis, RSS feeds, voiceThread, Bubbleshare and many more.

In 2005 – 100% of public school had internet access (NCES, 2006).  In 2007 – Internet use increased and 97% of 9-17 year olds use the internet for social networking. Students are eager to embrace technology.  If skilled teachers get the training and support to integrate web 2.0 tools into their classroom this could have a tremendous impact on the ways students learn and teachers teach.   

~Nikki