Online

Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities

Lesson Idea Name: Bugs!
Content Area: Science
Grade Level(s): 5th
Content Standard Addressed: S5L1: Obtain, evaluate, and communicate information to group organisms
using specific classification procedures.

Technology Standard Addressed: 3- Knowledge Constructor

Selected Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity: BugScope

URL(s) to support the lesson:

Describe how you would incorporate an Online Project/Collaboration Site/Publishing Opportunity in your
classroom:
In this lesson, students will explore the classifications of different organisms and how they are grouped.
Students will gain their base knowledge through whole-class exploration of the subject at hand. There will be
a class discussion using the textbook as well as other various online resources. After the students know more
about the different classifications of organisms, for example the difference between vertebrates and
invertebrates, students will be asked to go home for the weekend and spend some time outside making
observations based on what was learned in class. They will be expected to observe different kinds of bugs and
write down their findings. During the next class, the students will share their findings and we will discuss it as
a class. As a class, the students will vote on which specimen that was brought in will be sent in for viewing
through the BugScope website.
Using BugScope, we will participate as a class in the live stream viewing of the specimen that was sent in. It
will be pulled up on the interactive white board in the front of the classroom. The students will be
encouraged to get into a position in which they can clearly see what is happening on the live stream so they
do not miss anything. During the viewing, I will type any questions into the chat feature to the scientists that
the students may have. The students will have their science journal out and they will write down any and all
observations they make during the viewing. After the viewing we will discuss everyone’s observations
together as a class.

What technologies would be required to implement this proposed learning activity in a classroom?
A computer and Interactive White Board are needed for this activity.
Describe how the following features are addressed in this learning experience (note: all of them may not be
addressed in the project, but most should be if you are reaching a high LoTi Level).
a. Collaboration with peers, near-peers, mentors outside their classroom and often beyond their
school: One of the coolest features of BugScope is the collaboration with the scientists from the
University of Illinois, however it is also worth mentioning that the students can also view the live
stream sessions of other classes around the world. The chat feature connects classrooms and scientists
in order to collect data and accurate observations.

b. Student-centered learning and knowledge creation (creating original data and or producing original
products as a result of engaging in a project): This activity allows for further exploration of the
classification of bugs and shows students the difference between invertebrates in a fun and engaging
way.

c. Higher-order thinking: The students are only viewing one bug through a microscope. Therefore, they
can take the knowledge they gain from viewing that one bug and apply it to other bugs. They will take

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 Online Projects, Collaboration Sites and Publishing Opportunities
in consideration the similarities and differences between different invertebrates and discuss their
thoughts and findings with their classmates.

d. Students publishing their original work to others who will use/care about their product: Not only will
the live stream viewing be available on BugScope for other classes to see, but the students will also
share their individual observations and findings with the class.


Bloom’s Taxonomy Level(s):

☒ Remembering ☒ Understanding ☒ Applying ☒ Analyzing ☒ Evaluating ☐ Creating

Levels of Technology Integration (LoTi Level): (Select the best level)

☐ Level 1: Awareness ☐ Level 2: Exploration ☐ Level 3: Infusion ☒ Level 4: Integration

☐ Level 5: Expansion ☐ Level 6: Refinement

Universal Design for Learning (UDL):
This is an engaging and fun way to learn and explore the topic of bugs in the classroom. This activity is very
student-centered due to the amount of control they have in the activity. They are choosing the bug they want
to view, and they are asking the questions to the scientists. There is a large emphasis on collaboration
because students are able to connect both with real scientists and other classes. My favorite feature on
BugScope is the feature that allows students who are visually impaired to have a way to participate in the
activity. They offer audio recordings of the live sessions that allow blind students to hear in detail what is
happening on the screen. In addition, students who may have auditory disabilities are able to watch the live
stream and read the chats with the scientists.
Lesson idea implementation and Internet Safety Policies:
It is important to check the policies set in place by the school district to determine if the activity is an
appropriate and viable option in the classroom. I will check the age requirements on BugScope to ensure that
the students are at an appropriate age to participate, as well as sending out newsletters to the parents and
guardians to ensure that they are aware of what their child is doing in the classroom. I will reiterate to
students that they are never to share personal information online, and they will be monitored closely during
the activity to ensure their privacy is being kept. The teacher will also be the leader of the activity and the sole
person who is typing in the chat and controlling the live stream.
Reflective Practice:
This activity allows for students to work collaboratively with experts in the field that they are exploring in
order to evoke fun and engaging learning in the classroom. The live stream will be an interesting way to learn
about the bug that was sent in, rather than just viewing it on a smaller microscope in the classroom. As a way
to extend their knowledge after the lesson, students could create a mind map or any other online medium to
collect their thoughts and observations made during the lesson.

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