TechnoTimeline
Lesson 3 of 6
Technoworld: Agent Shmoo Meets TRON
Lesson Description: In this lesson, students apply their thoughts on technology and their new research skill sets in choosing what
technological advances have been the most important. Using the mindmapping concept, students create a virtual timeline to share
with others regarding their thoughts. While this lesson is designed for middle school, it is scalable based on instructor modifications.
Date(s):
TBD
Grade Level(s):
6-8
Lesson Duration (Hours/Sessions): 1 hr/2 sessions
ELPS (English Language Proficiency Standards):
If applicable
ELL Learning Strategies:
Listening:
Reading:
Speaking:
Writing:
Technology: If applicable; use short descriptive statements
Foundations. The student uses data input skills appropriate
to the task.
Information Acquisition: Students will be able to acquire
and evaluation electronic information in a variety of
formats.
Solving Problems: Students will be able to use research
skills and electronic information to create new knowledge
while using productivity tools to create solutions to
problems.
Communication: The student formats digital information for
appropriate and effective communication.
Standards & Language Objectives
Focused TEKS: Primary TEKS covered are all aspects of 126.12 and 123.2. Secondary TEKS that are
incorporated include 110.18-19 & 113.22.B.20-21. Additional TEKS can be incorporated based on specific
focus and desired outcomes by the instructor. If lesson is scaled up or down, TEKS should be adjusted
accordingly.
Language & Technology Objectives:
Lesson Description
Texas ACE Lesson Plan
TECHNOTIMELINE
Key Vocabulary Terms/Academic Language:
Validity, Mindmap, Timeline, Inventor, Export, Generate, & JPEG.
Lesson Resources: http://inventors.about.com,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AllXU_3nktU,
www.bubbl.us.
Room Preparation/Materials Set-Up:
Grouping of Students/Parents/Family:
Any standard classroom is acceptable.
Sessions can be hosted as individual activities or group
activities. Groups of two or three may keep students
engaged and generate mutual interest.
In both sessions, students will work on computers at stations.
The ability to make notes on a notebook is critical, so some
space near the station is necessary. If any groups, please allow
adequate space between computer groupings so as one group
will not be a disruption on another group.
Whole Group
Pairs
Triads
Groups of 2 or 3
Other: Individual
Grouping Strategy
Counting Off
Common Interests
Self-chosen
Common Tasks
Other:____________
Page 1 of 4
Lesson Resources & Set-Up
Lesson Materials: Computers, Projector or
Electronic Whiteboard, pen/pencils, paper, dry
erase board/chalkboard, & internet access.
TechnoTimeline
Lesson 3 of 6
Procedures:
Engage
Guiding Questions:
Length (Time): 10 minutes
Explore
Length (Time): 50 minutes
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Give some examples of inventions that
you feel were important for society (i.e.
iPod, Tony Fadell, Oct. 23, 2001, changed
the music industry and inspired mass use
of digital audio files).
What makes an invention important? (i.e.
changes society, creates new advances in
technology, makes life or general tasks
easier and thus increases productivity,
etc…).
What makes an invention nice but not
necessarily world-changing? (i.e. Snuggie,
Gary Clegg, 1998, keeps people warm
while keeping their hands free but not
world-changing unless you are part of the
Snuggie Revolution)
What is Moore’s Law and how does it
play into this technological timeline?
What is going to be the next big
invention?
Page 2 of 4
Explore
Step 1) Explain that today is all about the recruits’ ability to
research and develop their own thoughts. Share that Agent
Shmoo has to report out what the recruits are learning to the
various directors of the intelligence community. Agent Shmoo
does not do well with lengthy reports and thus has asked Agent
Tron to work with the recruits in developing a picture-like
timeline that can be shown to the directors. Thus, your
assignment today is in two parts. First, you must determine what
technological advances you feel are the most important. Then,
using mindmapping technology, you must create a visual to
express those thoughts.
Step 2) Establish the research routine by directing the group to
an inventor’s website at http://inventors.about.com. Instruct the
group to go to the timeline and begin exploring various
inventions, which have been developed. As technological
advances have increased exponentially over the past few years,
it might be best if the recruits go backwards in time starting with
2010. Instruct the recruits to choose no more than 10
inventions.
Step 3) Recruits should capture the following data in their
research: Invention, Inventor, Year of Invention, Why It Is
Important. Note: As an extra task, recruits can save pictures of
the inventions for later.
Step 4) Have the recruits save the material for the next session.
[END OF SESSION ONE]
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Let’s review what we have learned so far:
o Technology’s value?
o General history?
o Ease of Internet Research?
o Validity of Internet Research?
o Search Engines?
o Wiki Collaborations?
o Digital World in General?
Why are we spending so much time on
learning about technology compared to
just jumping in and doing stuff? Compare
to sports training (i.e. drills, practice,
before game).
Engage
Step 1) Welcome recruits to another training session. Share with
recruits how pleased Agent Tron and Agent Shmoo are with their
progress. Review what has been learned so far (value of
technology, general history of technology, ability to research
using search engines and wiki collaborations, knowledge gained
so far of digital universe).
Step 2) Share that Agent Tron has established a training program
for the recruits that consists of learning first about technology
and the corresponding impact and then actually practicing some
elements of technology. Impress on the recruits how everything
they are learning in these sessions is going to be applied.
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TechnoTimeline
Lesson 3 of 6
Procedures:
Explain
Guiding Questions:
Length (Time): 15 mins
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Does anyone have any questions as to
the goal of this exercise?
Where do I start?
How do I add text to my box?
How to I add extra boxes to my
mindmap?
How do I change colors of my boxes?
How do I move my boxes?
How do I link my boxes?
How do I export my mindmap?
Page 3 of 4
Elaborate
Step 1) Go to www.bubble.us and generate a quick mindmap as
an example for the recruits. Export your mindmap as a jpeg to
the desktop. (note: if you are unfamiliar with mindmapping
software, you should practice before giving this training session.
It is important to demonstrate to recruits rather than showing a
finished product)
Step 2) Ask recruits to go to www.bubble.us to create their own
mindmap technology timelines. Walk around the room offering
assistance.
Step 3) Have recruits save their mindmaps by exporting as a
jpeg. (note: you can save the jpegs and put in a picture show or
just save for later training sessions, you could also print for each
student)
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What 10 inventions did you choose?
Was it difficult to choose 10? Why?
What criteria did you use to choose the
10 inventions?
Have you ever heard of mindmapping?
What about timelines?
Why would mindmapping be a more
effective tool for a technological
timeline?
How can software tools like bubble.us be
free? Don’t they need to make $$$ to be
able to keep going? How do you think
they do it?
Explain
[BEGINNING OF SESSION TWO]
Step 1) Ask the recruits to bring out their material from the last
training session. Explain that we are now going to take their
research and put it into a visual form for Agent Shmoo to
present out on.
Step 2) See if any recruit has heard of mindmapping. If not, ask
the recruits to google it. Have someone explain what
mindmapping is to the group.
Step 3) Share that mindmapping is an easy way to do a
technological timeline. The reason is that technology does not
always go in a linear fashion (one thing after another). Many
times technology branches out and evolves into many different
forms.
Step 4) Explain to the recruits that we are going to use a free
mindmapping tool called bubbl.us. Go to
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AllXU_3nktU or search
YouTube for Bubbl.us Basics: Brainstorming and Mind-mapping
Online. Show YouTube video to recruits (9 minutes). Note: You
may have the recruits actually go to the bubbl.us website to
actually practice while the video is playing. An account is not
needed as you can use the software and then export the
mindmap into a jpeg format for later use. Although, creating an
account will open up additional features.
Elaborate (Create)
Length (Time): 40 minutes
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TechnoTimeline
Lesson 3 of 6
Procedures:
Evaluate
Guiding Questions:
Length (Time): 5 minutes
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What did you think of the mindmap
tool?
In what other ways can mindmap
technology be used?
Could this training exercise (the
research and then the mindmap) be
applied in other areas?
Potential Homework: What other free
tools are out there to do
mindmapping or even timeline
generation? Bring some back to
share.
Evaluate
Step 1) Congratulate all Agency recruits for a job well-done.
Step 2) Ask each recruit to reflect on the exercises and then ask
a few to share what they learned today.
Step 3) Do a pulse check to see if recruits have made the
connection between this exercise, the history of technology, and
the value of mindmapping.
Step 4) Explain that mindmapping is a core skill for anyone in the
world of technology. It is usually better to develop a concept
first before creating it.
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Closing Activity/Reflection: (Can be part of the Evaluate section above)
See Evaluation Section above. The Elaborate section can be expanded into several classes that highlight mindmapping. A
closing activity can be to go through everyone’s created mindmaps.
and select Checked)
Certified Teacher
College Student
Volunteer
Para-professional
Other:
Lesson Reflection: (Please complete after the lesson.)
What are some modifications you made along the way? How would you assess student/parent/family learning and
understanding? What are some things you would do differently?
Page 4 of 4
Lesson Reflection
Instructor: (Select who is delivering this activity by right-clicking on the appropriate box below and selecting Properties