Technology and the African-American Inventor WebQuest

Mr. Free, Computer Technology Skills Project

Introduction

The purpose of this lesson is to create an awareness and understanding that important technological advances within our culture, in a variety of areas, are the result of the work done by a diverse group of people, many of whom are African-Americans.

WebQuestObjectives

1. I can understand that technological advances are the result of the work done by a diverse group of people, many of whom are African-Americans.

2. I can apply Internet browsing skills to locate information.

3. I can identify the impact of researched inventions on the world today

Computer Technology Skills Essential Objectives:

  • I can use multimedia terms to explain projects.
  • I can design a multimedia product using data to present information.

Task

For this project, please use the following websites first and then Google, as necessary, for your selected inventor.

·The Top Ten African-American Inventors

·Inventors and Inventions: African-American Inventors

·Black Inventors A-Z

· Multicultural ResourceCenter: African-American Inventors

·Black Scientists and Inventors

Take about fifteen minutes to browse, scan, and read about some of the inventors at the above web sites. As you read and study, ponder these questions plus your own questions from your interest.

1. If you had to pick one invention as your personal favorite, which one would you select and why?

2. How would life be different without that particular invention?

3. What has been this invention’s impact on society?

Process

Select one inventor/invention for your research. You need to research online enough information for a nine-slide PowerPoint slideshow presentation.. As you can find these, be sure to include the following information: date of birth, education, work experience, invention or inventions, why the invention(s) were important, how the invention(s) affect your life, what life would be like without the invention(s), and date of death. Include any other information that you consider important or interesting.

Then create and complete your PowerPoint presentation, according to the following rubric/checklist.

Evaluation: Checklist for the PowerPoint Presentation

___ (1) 9 or more slides

___ (2) Slide 1 is the title slide which includes the title of your presentation, your name, and an image (clip art or picture). Use of Word Art is optional.

___ (3) Slide 2 is an introduction.

___ (4) For each slide of the middle slides, slides 3 though 7, have a heading or title and three supporting facts or details about the main idea.

___ (5) The next to last slide, slide 8 is a conclusion.

___ (6) The last slide, slide 9, will be a Credits slide that includes an alphabetized list of websites and any other sources used to collect information and images for your PowerPoint. Please provide the name or title and Internet address for each website you use in your presentation.

___ (7) The PowerPoint is to have a consistent appearance, with same backgrounds, colors, fonts, etc., from slide to slide. Appropriate fonts/background color contrast should be applied.

___ (8) Clip art must be used on at least two slides.

___ (9) At least one image (clip art or picture) must be collected from the Internet.

___ (10) Slides may be animated.

___ (11) There may be a transition between each slide.

___ (12) Show control of grammar, sentence formation, standard usage, and mechanics (including capitalization, punctuation, and spelling).

Conclusions

Reflect upon what you did.

· What was successful?

· What contributed towards learning?

· What needed to be improved?

Source: Adapted from the A to Z Teacher Websiteat